Gypsy Moth Spraying & Snowpack

Oregon ag officials hoping to keep the Asian gypsy moth from establishing a permanent population in the state. They are proposing to spray about 8,000 acres in the Portland area come spring. Washington State is also mulling over the possibility of spraying seven site in the western part of the state. The Asian gypsy moth has a voracious appetite for trees and shrubs. The spraying could prove controversial if done over residential areas. Officials plan on doing an environmental assessment and reach out to people in the area before making a decision on the spraying.

We have been getting a fair amount of snow through the northwest. That snow is crucial to building snowpack levels in the mountains that is then depended on during the spring and summer months for irrigation of crops, yards and more. Snow has been falling in California's mountains as well which is good news although much more is needed. Meteorologist Brad Rippey says it's good news for most areas although:

RIPPEY: But we'd like to see a little bit more in terms of reservoir replenishment and snowpack building across the interior northwest including the Northern Rockies. Also critically low water supplies still lingering in Oregon despite the rain and snow that we've seen there.

The extended forecast is calling for clearing conditions across much of the northwest after a bit more rain and snow through today.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.