PATC Policy
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club does not oppose the use of chemical methods to control pests within Trail corridor lands not owned or managed by the Club, provided that the Club is consulted before the activity is conducted and that the activity as proposed conforms to applicable environmental policy, law, and regulations. The Club generally opposes the use of chemical herbicides to control vegetation along the Tuscarora Trail. It must be noted, however, that many land managers consider the use of herbicides due to the explosion of the under-story after insect pests (such as the gypsy moth) have destroyed much of the forest over-story.
Herbicides
When chemicals are used to control either pests or vegetation, PATC will work with partners to ensure that proper techniques are used to protect hikers along the Trail and to protect the natural environment within the Trail corridor from adverse or disastrous effects.
Partners’ Policies
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry
The Bureau is responsible for gypsy moth control on all state lands and determines a control program based on public use and timber-management principles for those lands. The Tuscarora Trail is considered a “high value” recreational resource by the Bureau. Such classification may allow the Bureau to apply herbicides on Tuscarora Trail corridor lands to protect the visual resource. The Bureau primarily uses the chemical B.t. in residential areas and the chemical Dimilin on uninhabited forest lands. The Bureau prefers Dimilin because it is more effective and less expensive than B.t.
Bureau of State Parks
Each state recreation area does its own preliminary analysis of the potential gypsy moth problem. Results are sent to the Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Pest Management for review. Further analysis by the Bureau of Forestry, if warranted, guides the selection of an appropriate control program.
Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
The Pest Management Division of the Department is responsible for pest management. It administers inter-agency efforts, such as the gypsy moth program. Local Extension Program agents implement pest control programs and advise agencies on specific management needs.
