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Bennett Calls for National Help to Fight Mormon Crickets
PROVO, UTAH -- This year's infestation of Mormon Crickets is so bad that
Utah Senator Bob Bennett is calling on the US Congress to provide funding to
fight the infestation. "I believe some of the land management agencies were
caught flat-footed and were not ready for what was coming," said Sen.
Bennett at a congressional hearing Thursday. This year the infestation has
hit Nevada and Idaho in addition to Utah. Governor Mike Leavitt has declared
a state of emergency in 18 of Utah's 29 counties where either crickets or
grasshoppers have eaten through 1.5 million acres. Bennett last week
convinced colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to add $4
million to the Agriculture Department agency that will combat the pests. But
local and state officials were hoping for $8.7 million.
Mormon Cricket Investation: Utah, Nevada struggle with hungry hordes
Las Vegas NV Review-Journal 23Jul01 US DC Wash T2
By Christine Dorsey: Donrey Washington Bureau
This year's plague is worst in years
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