FORWARD: 



During the past year, the word "environment" and environmental 

 protection have become household words. Many people who formally 

 gave little thought to the air we breathe, the water we drink, or 

 the pesticides we use on our plants, today are keenly aware of the 

 current envionmental crisis and the problems that go with it. 



Many agencies of the commonwealth, such as the Department of 

 Agriculture, work continuously year after year to combat the 

 problems relating to agriculture and the environment. 



As an example, the Division of Plant Pest Control has as it" 

 primary responsibility, the prevention and possible spread of 

 damaging insect and disease organisms that could cause real damage 

 to our environment if not controlled in some way. 



If there is a potential threat to our environment by some 

 insect or plant disease, all possible means of combating the pest 

 must be taken into consideration before starting a control program. 

 ^flhen it is deemed necessary to take action, Impact statements must 

 be filed with the office of Environmental Affairs headed by Dr. 

 H. W. Foster prior to the actual work. 



In an effort to do the best possible job of pest control this 

 division works closely with many other state and federal agencies 

 such as Natural Resources, Public Health, and the Pesticide Board, 

 plus the U.S.D.A. and its various agencies. 



This report will give a capsule summary of the various ac- 

 tivities carried on throughout the year in our continuing effort 

 to control insect and disease pests of plants. 



