Public Hearing About Preventing Asian Longhorned Beetle Infestation

The ’s Environment & Health Committee will hold a public hearing on the efforts of federal, state and city agencies to prevent an infestation in Boston.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at the Clubhouse, 1 Circuit Drive in Boston at 6 p.m.

“The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a highly destructive pest that can devastate parks and other open spaces,” said Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury City Councilor Matt O’Malley, Chair of the Environment & Health Committee.  “We are holding this hearing so that the public can be apprised of the efforts by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the City of Boston to prevent an Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation in our city.”

In 2008, the beetle was discovered in the City of Worcester in the Massachusetts towns of Holden, West Boylston, and Shrewsbury.  News reports said that approximately 17,000 infested trees were cut down and another 10,000 were destroyed because they were located near the infested trees.

In July of 2010 beetles were found on the grounds of the Faulkner Hospital in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.  State and federal officials last week held public meetings to inform the public of the USDA’s plans to treat 3,200 trees with insecticide in the area of Jamaica Plain where the beetles were discovered last year.

The hearing is open to the public and residents are urged to attend and testify.