October 10, 1974
Page 35040
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, while the Supplemental Appropriations bill is before the Senate, I would like to take this opportunity to bring to my colleagues' attention a growing problem in my home State of Maine, the most heavily forested State in the Nation.
The problem is caused by the spruce budworm, the larval stage of a small moth, which feeds on the buds and needles of fir and spruce trees, and if uncontrolled, eventually kills the trees.
The coniferous forests of northern and eastern Maine – in Aroostoock, Washington, Somerset, Penobscot, and Piscataquis Counties – are literally being eaten away by this devastating insect.
An estimated 5.3 million acres of trees are now suffering moderate to heavy defoliage due to the infestation of this pest, and the total infestation covers 8.3 million acres – an area the size of Massachusetts. And while there are no funds in the bill before us today for spruce budworm control, I would like to encourage the U.S. Forest Service in the strongest terms to take what action it can without additional funds.
I would hope that the Forest Service will take action immediately through its research, technical, scientific, and advisory forest programs to assess the spruce budworm situation, explore new and innovative solutions to the problem, and offer technical assistance to utilize as much of the dead or dying wood as possible.
The spruce budworm infestation, which originated in Canada, is spreading southward, and threatens forest lands through New England.
And an assessment of its potential economic impact in Maine alone gives some idea of the stakes involved. Maine's vast spruce-fir forest is a precious economic, social, recreational, and environmental resource.
The pulp and paper and forest products industries in Maine produce a billion dollars a year in manufactured goods. Their jobs are among the highest paying in the State, and the pulp and paper industry alone plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the next few years in new plant and equipment in Maine.
The forest which is the lifeblood of those industries is suffering serious damage from spruce budworm, and the problem is certain to worsen if effective steps are not taken.
The administration has not seen fit to request matching Federal funds for spraying control for spruce budworm in this bill. I hope this position will be reconsidered in the future.
In the meantime, I would urge the Forest Service to bring its attention to bear on interim measures.