Dept. Of Agriculture Adds Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Fayette, Lawrence, Somerset Counties To Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Area

On February 24, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced six counties-- Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Fayette, Lawrence, and Somerset-- have been added to Pennsylvania's spotted lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of the 2023 spring hatch. 

With this addition, the quarantine for this invasive pest now includes 51 counties.

Permit/Management Requirements

Businesses that operate in or travel through quarantined counties are required to obtain a spotted lanternfly permit. 

Homeowners with questions about treatment are encouraged to contact their local Penn State Extension office or learn about management, including approved sprays, at their website. 

Pennsylvanians who live inside the quarantine zone should also review and sign the Compliance Checklist for residents.

County Grants

The department is also announcing opportunities for funding to help counties slow the spread of spotted lanternfly. 

Through the PA Farm Bill's Rapid Response and Disaster Preparedness Fund, $150,000 will be available for grants for county conservation districts in Pennsylvania. 

The department will award grants of up to $25,000 to assist conservation districts with activities designed to enhance spotted lanternfly quarantine compliance by businesses and residents of their county. 

The application period opens on March 5, 2023, and closes on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Learn more about this grant opportunity in the PA Bulletin on March 4, 2023.

For more information, visit Agriculture's Spotted Lanternfly and the Penn State Extension Spotted Lanternfly webpages.

Related Article:

-- Pennsylvania Protects 32 Farms, 3,047 Acres In 21 Counties From Future Development  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 26, 2023]