John Hansen: “Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor today on behalf of all the farmers and ranchers in Utah and other western States who…”

“Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor today on behalf of all the farmers and ranchers in Utah and other western States who are dealing with the devastating outbreaks of Mormon Crickets and grasshoppers. This outbreak, now under declaration of emergency by the Governor of Utah, is considered to be the worst in over 60 years and is spreading over 1.5 million acres. These insects, which breed undisturbed and untreated on the vast acres of BLM and Forest Service land and then spread to neighboring State and private land, are devouring the crops and rangeland to the tune of what is expected to be at least $25 million worth of damage. However, this is not all. In Oak City, Utah, for example, the mayor informs me that the crickets have now inundated the community water system at the sealed collection boxes and tanks. They are now moving into towns, where people are attempting to burn their fruit trees to keep them away from their homes, and children are kept indoors. Line-item funding has been eliminated, and formerly available funds from previous years have all been expended in battling these insects. The plight of these lands has become such a critical concern, that I have asked our Subcommittee on Public Lands to hold oversight hearings on this issue next month. Timely and adequate funding has been a continual issue for us.”