Dear MVCAC Members, There are two time sensitive items that I need everyone to be aware of and provide assistance if possible. Send in your state lands treatment cost data before it's too late! MVCAC representatives will be meeting with CDFW next week to work on implementation of AB 896. It is very important that we follow through with implementing this bill in order for us to build on it in the future. For this we need each of you to please submit records of treatment costs your agency has done on state owned lands in the format provided. Peter Bonkrude has provided this link (http://bit.ly/1vwasCC) to a map which identifies state lands and vector control agencies. Please use it to develop your report and send it directly to Vanessa Cajina, VCajina@ka-pow.com, as soon as possible. CDFW Scientific Collecting Permit Program Changes CDPH staff was recently asked by a state park to get a DFW collecting permit to conduct tick surveillance. This has historically been not needed and was cause for concern that this may indicate a substantial change in CDFW policy which could potentially negatively impact MVCAC member districts. To head this off, Ed Manning arranged a meeting with Director Charlie Bonham, CDFW, to discuss this matter. Director Bonham told us that CDFW is working on streamlining their collecting permit program, and will work with the MVCAC to better define the requirements for what entities. In order for this to proceed smoothly, we are asking all local vector control agencies to refrain from pursuing any CDFW scientific collecting permits at this time. At this time, all surveillance and control operations conducted by vector control agencies signatory to the cooperative agreement with CDPH should not need additional scientific collecting permits. Please direct any questions regarding this to Joel Buettner, joelb@placermosquito.org. |