Having taken a month to research options for combatting what may become a devastating Gypsy Moth infestation in watershed lands near Tunkhannok, Authority members voted for a gas spray at its March 12 meeting.

At a cost of about $11,000 contractor Tallman Aerial Spraying of Dauphin will drop a chemical called Foray 48B on three parcels equaling 245 acres. Owner John Tallman explained in a later interview that Foray 48B is a bee-safe bacterium-derived organic biological insecticide specifically designed to target Gypsy Moth larvae.

Though unfamiliar with the details on the ground in the Bethlehem watershed – leaving that to forester Robin Wildermuth – Tallman cautioned about the dangers the insects could cause if ignored. He said at one time outside Rochester, NY the insect population got out of control and defoliated the trees. A thunderstorm then swept the countless insects' waste and bodies into a nearby lake, creating a health hazard for the city.

Tallman said the spray will commence in late April or early May when the Gypsy Moth caterpillars are easiest to target.

Board members also continued to discuss the PennEast pipeline, which many feel is inevitable but few are willing to allow without forcing as many concessions from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as possible before construction begins.

Solicitor James Broughal said PennEast has requested an access agreement to begin surveying likely parcels on authority property, but that there aren't any rules regulating how to charge FERC for the reimbursement of expenses. He said another, smaller, municipality charged $15,000 – presumably at random – and once the paperwork is drafted, "hopefully PennEast will sign what we send them."

Member Vaughn Gower took this as encouragement to take advantage of an open-ended contract discussion. "So let's shoot for the moon. Start with $50,000 and then negotiate."

There were nods of assent around the table, and Broughal said, "I have no problem with that. I do know this is a $100 billion pipeline [and] you're only going to get one bite of this apple."

Members decided to break and research more details before deciding on a number for PennEast's consideration.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. April 9 at city hall.