2011 Annual Report - Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control ...

Physical ControlTechnicians monitor WNV activity by checkingmosquito sources.The Ecological Management Department manages the physical and cultural control aspectof the District’s Integrated Pest Management Program by actively pursuing opportunities toeliminate mosquito development sites. This is accomplished through the implementation ofecologically-based, site specific Mosquito Reduction Best Management Practices (BMPs) thatreduce or eliminate the need for chemical control measures.Technicians monitor WNV activity by checkingmosquito sources.Mosquito Reduction Best Management Practices (BMPs) ManualIn 2011, The Ecological Management Department aggressively pursued landownerimplementation of the Best Management Policies (BMP) as outlined in the District’s MosquitoReduction Best Management Practices Manual. This manual provided specific informationregarding the District BMP policies, mosquito biology, and various BMPs that can be useful inreducing mosquito populations. Land-use specific sections provided guidance for landownersand land-managers who dealt with programs such as: managed wetlands, stormwaterand wastewater systems, irrigated agriculture, rice production, dairies, swimming pools,cemeteries, and tire storage facilities. The Ecological Management Department provideddetailed guidance to property owners on how to best implement the BMP, and in somecases assisted with physical improvements. The BMP manual is available for download at:http://www.fightthebite.net/download/ecomanagement/SYMVCD_BMP_Manual.pdf.The manual serves as the basis for all Ecological Management Department programs whichfall under four main BMP categories. All projects strive to reduce or eliminate mosquitobreeding in Stormwater, Managed Wetlands, Agriculture, or Urban and Industrial sources.While technicians continue to drive project development, Federal, California State, localenvironmental and development policies have also become a driving force of project andplanning development. 2011 saw an increase in environmental policy proposals, CaliforniaDelta, water, and habitat restoration plans and a regulatory focus of stormwater requirements.Ecological Management Projects in 2011The Ecological Management Department handled forty three new work requests from fieldtechnicians. Each work request was evaluated for implementation of BMPs as outlined in theDistrict Mosquito Reduction Best Management Practices Manual. Landowners were contactedand worked directly with the Department in reducing standing water and subsequent mosquitobreeding. Upon request, the Department utilized District owned and occasionally leasedequipment to perform the required BMP, and was monitored for efficacy for the duration of theseason. In addition to new work requests, the Department monitored and continued progresson six long term or historical projects and sites. These sites also included eight historicalspring mowing access projects, designed to improve site access for the technician, and inmany cases provided the necessary base maintenance required for the property owner tocontinue the required maintenance for the remainder of the year. A few sites required theInspecting a neglected pool.District to perform access projects involving removal of brush and debris to secure safe accessto mosquito sources. These mowing and access projects were designed to keep access routes18 Sacramento–Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District