State Agencies

is composed of eight members appointed by the
Governor for three-year terms. The Authority
elects its own chairperson.

The Authority may investigate and study any
phase of tobacco marketing or production in the
State, provide information about the tobacco price
structure, and make recommendations for legisla-
tion to provide more effective handling of tobacco.
Along with the buyers and commission agencies, it
has a voice in fixing marketing periods, and it as-
sures the accuracy of weights and measures used
by tobacco commission selling agencies. The Au-
thority also licenses commission agencies and pur-
chasers, and collects a fee from the owners of to-
bacco sold at a commission agency.

From time to time a representative of the
Tobacco Authority visits manufacturers in foreign
countries, as well as in the United States, to de-
velop markets for Maryland tobacco (Code Agri-
culture Article, secs. 7-201 through 7-209, 7-401
through 7-418).

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRIES
AND PEST MANAGEMENT

Dr. Charles W. Puffinberger, Assistant Secretary

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5870

The Assistant Secretary for Plant Industries
and Pest Management supervises all phases of
those programs related to plants, plant pests, pest
management, and pesticides for which the De-
partment is responsible.

The Assistant Secretary also supervises the sec-
tion chiefs and coordinates Division activities
with other Department programs and with local,
State, and federal officials. In addition, the Assis-
tant Secretary manages active cooperative agree-
ments with local, county, State, and federal agen-
cies.

GYPSY MOTH CONTROL SECTION

Robert H. Tichenor, Jr., Chief

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5922

The gypsy moth is the most destructive forest
pest of the eastern United States. It causes serious
problems to trees in wooded residential areas,
parks, and recreation areas, and is the subject of
a State and national quarantine program. This
pest has been present in Maryland since 1971,
but as a result of effective control measures there
has been limited damage to trees in the State. A

Agriculture/ 161

cooperative local. State, and federal program to
manage the gypsy moth is coordinated out of the
Annapolis Office.

MOSQUITO CONTROL SECTION

Stanley R. Joseph, Chief

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5870

A statewide cooperatively funded program is
conducted out of the Annapolis Office to provide
mosquito control services for more than
1,500,000 residents in 1,800 communities in 22
counties. Branch offices are located in College
Park, Salisbury, and Clements. Environmentally
compatible temporary (adulticiding and larvacid-
ing) and permanent (water management) methods
are used to control the mosquitoes. In addition to
implementing control measures, this Section de-
termines the environmental impact of the pro-
gram, develops more efficacious control methods,
and conducts epidemiological investigations of
mosquito borne diseases (Code Agriculture Arti-
cle, secs. 5-401 through 5-405).

PESTICIDE APPLICATORS LAW
SECTION

David Shriver, Chief

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5710

This Section regulates the use of pesticides in
the State. The program provides for licensing of
businesses engaged in commercial application of
pesticides; training and certification of commer-
cial and private pesticide applicators; enforcement
of the Pesticide Applicators Law and Regula-
tions; and providing technical information on the
proper and effective use of pesticides.

The Chief provides overall guidance and serves
as the State's authority on matters relating to
pesticide use and application (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 5-201 through 5-211).

PLANT PROTECTION SECTION

William F. Gimpel, Jr., Chief

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5920

This Section is responsible for administering
programs relating to nursery inspection, plant
protection and quarantine programs, integrated
pest management, nuisance bird control, forest
pest management, certified plant production, in-