In 2009, $6 million has been set aside for the program, but most of that money will be used in the Eastern parts of the state where the gypsy moth caterpillar has been devastating.

Johnson said sprayable blocks of land must contain at least 23 acres and the county needs at least four of these blocks to be eligible for the program.

Anyone interested should contact him at 226-9230 to request enrollment.

According to DCNR’s website, the suppression program has been in existence since 1972 and receives funding from USDA Forest Service, DCNR, counties (private lands) and other cooperators such as the Game Commission, Department of Corrections, and Penn State University .

Gypsy moths prefer white, chestnut, black, and red oak, but will also eat hundreds of tree and shrub species, including oak, apple, alder, aspen, basswood, birch, poplar, willow, hawthorn, hemlock, tamarack, pine, spruce, and witch hazel.

They were first found in Pennsylvania in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties in 1932.

The caterpillars are responsible for the deforestation of millions of acres annually.

Johnson stressed the suppression program is just that, a suppression program. It is not meant to eradicate the insect.

According to DCNR, “the gypsy moth is here to stay.”

The commissioners briefly discussed the emerald ash borer, an invasive species coming to Pennsylvania from the west.

“We’re stuck in the middle,” commented Commissioner Dave Cyphert.

At the salary board meeting the board:

Approved hiring Chad M. Johnston as information technology specialist at a salary of $29,557.

Approved creating two new Office of Emergency Services/Communications dispatcher positions.

Approved hiring Daniel McDonald, Shaun Eggleton, and Michael Tarr as O.E.S./Comm-unications dispatchers at 19 hours or less per week at a wage of $9.16 per hour.

Approved promoting Rachel Piker from driver to aging/transportation dispatcher/clerk at a salary of $25,512.

Approved hiring Robert J. Ganoe, John D. Penny, Frank J. Ragley, and Dennis L. Bussell as aging/transportation drivers for 19 hours per week or less at a wage of $7.90 per hour.

Approved correcting wage of O.E.S./Comm-unications dispatcher Sasha T. Young to $10.11 per hour. Young’s wage had been incorrectly stepped when she completed training. The correction is retroactive to June 13.