By Donna Kemp Spangler
Deseret News staff writer June 20, 2001
Central Utah county commissioners and state lawmakers are throwing up their hands in frustration at the waves of crickets and grasshoppers devouring wheat and other rangeland crops — a problem worse than it has been in almost six decades.
Rush Valley farmer and rancher Darrell Johnson holds crickets from his alfalfa field. Funds to fight the swarming pests are extremely tight.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Much of the frustration is aimed at the U.S. Forest Service for not spreading bait to curb the cricket populations that are now running amok on private land.
So the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to have the state Attorney General's Office look into the constitutionality of filing a lawsuit against the Forest Service.
"Maybe we should bring suit against the federal government for not being good neighbors," Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, suggested after hearing from Millard County residents plight over the crickets.
The Uinta National Forest was poised to spread poison bait over 3,000 acres but was threatened with a lawsuit by Utah Environmental Congress, explained Rep. Jim Gowans, D-Tooele. The environmental group claims the poison could inadvertently destroy other forms of wildlife.
Lawmakers shook their heads and half-joked about gathering up crickets and leaving them on the environmental groups' doorstep.
The infestation is particularly bad this year. And state agriculture officials say they need about $250,000 more to halt the invasion.
"I know funds are tight," said Dick Wilson, director of the Division of Plant Industry for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. "Out of our current budget we've already spent over $220,000. But we'll need more."
Wilson told lawmakers that crickets and grasshoppers had infested more than 1.5 million acres in 18 Utah counties — much more severe than officials had anticipated.
On June 4, Gov. Mike Leavitt declared an agricultural emergency that would allow farmers to get government money to combat the infestation and be repaid for their losses, expected to reach more than $25 million.
The state is seeking a portion of $5 million in federal assistance that would be available to Western states faced with the bug problem. Nevada also is considering declaring an agricultural emergency.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management is doing its part, officials said. Poisoned grain is spread in areas where crickets are known to migrate, including BLM land. So far, BLM has spent $150,000, or 50 percent more than last year.
"We are having one of the worst recorded infestations," said BLM spokesman Don Banks, adding that federal officials certified in pest control have been busy since mid-April.
Counties are doing their part, too.
Sanpete County has spent about $12,000 destroying the grasshoppers.
"We've been helping farmers spray," said Sanpete County Commissioner Bruce Blackham. "But they (bugs) are so big now, they are hard to knock down."It is especially troublesome now when the crickets begin to lay their eggs, paving the way for a big infestation again next year.
Over the years, Rep. Jim Gowans, D-Tooele, has sounded the alarm for more money. Two years ago, he secured $130,000 from the Legislature while lobbying hard for federal action.
Now, he feels like he's been bitten by the environmentalists blamed for stopping the Forest Service from spreading the poison.
"It doesn't seem to matter if a few farmers are wiped out by insects," Gowans said. "As long as it doesn't affect the metropolitan areas."
