News Briefs
May 12, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE...

Jobs

Interested in a career in mosquito and vector control? Check out the MVCAC Job Board at www.mvcac.org

 

Have a Job or RFP to post to MVCAC.org?  

Requests to post job listings (no more than 500 words in length) should be submitted to the webmaster at rhickerson@amgroup.us.

 

Do you have important news to share about your district or mosquito and vector issues?

If you would like your news to be included in the MVCAC News Briefs, please send press releases and/or links to relevant news articles to mvcac@mvcac.org
Mailing Address:
1 Capitol Mall
Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814
MVCAC Sustaining Member Corner
Note: MVCAC does not endorse the products below, but we do support our Sustaining Members
Central Life Sciences has announced the release of Aqua Zenivex™ E20, a reduced-risk adulticide for mosquito control professionals.  


Collaborate on the Expanded Development of the "Visual Gateway" Pilot Project
The IT Committee is looking to get a user count for Districts interested in collaborating on the expanded development of the "Visual Gateway" pilot project to create and share advanced reports and graphs from Gateway surveillance and pesticide application and resistance data. The current entry level pricing is estimated to be $288 per District user/year. For more information, contact the IT Committee chair Dan Fisher at   dfisher@fightthebite.net .
MVCAC Fall Meeting:
October 31 - November 2
Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814

Room rate $189/night
Make your reservations:
  1. Click here and make a reservation using the group/convention code: MQV
  2. Alternatively you can register online by clicking here
  3. Call (916) 326-5000 and ask for the Mosquito & Vector Control Association discount rate.
The group rate room reservation deadline is  October 10, 2017 .

More information for this meeting will be posted on our website as it becomes available. 
Special Districts Legislative Days: May 16-17, 2017
The MVCAC i nvites you to participate in Special Districts Legislative Days (Legislative Days), scheduled for May 16-17 at THE Grand Events Center in Sacramento. 
 
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Attend:
 
  1. Efforts underway in Sacramento could significantly impact special district revenue sources,includingproperty tax allocations, voter thresholds for special taxes and new funding opportunities for local projects and programs.
  2. The Little Hoover Commission's March 2017 report could impact how special districts are organized, formed, or consolidated.
  3. Hear from noteworthy speakers, such as Pedro Nava, Chair of The Little Hoover Commission, as well as the Chairs of the Assembly Local Government Committee and Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
  4. Learn from a panel of policy experts and CSDA's lobbyists, as they take your questions on the hottest issues facing special districts.
  5. Pre-arranged legislative visits and a hosted reception enable you to build relationships with your state legislators and their Capitol staff.
 
Register online today to attend Legislative Days. 
Possible District Funding Opportunities from OES for Flooding Impacts
Our advocates have had conversations with the Office of Emergency Services( OES) concerning their emergency declarations related to flooding and funding eligibility requirements for vector control agencies.  There were 51 counties impacted by storms this year.  And there were three specific emergency declarations events declared:  January 3-12, 18-23, and February 3-23. 
 
Per our conversation with OES staff, we learned the following about funding reimbursement requests:
  • Generally speaking, special districts, which includes most vector control agencies, can make their own applications for funding reimbursement to OES
  • Vector control agencies need to work closely with the counties and specifically their public health coordinator and emergency response teams
  • Applications for funding must be accompanied by a letter from the public health officer of the county
  • The public health officer must attest to the fact that mosquitos or other vectors posed an immediate threat to public health and safety resulting in extraordinary costs to the vector control agency
  • Reimbursement is limited to "extraordinary costs" based on a historical cost baseline (usually 3 - 5 years)
  • OES will reimburse 75% of the costs
 
OES has more information about the emergency declarations on their website if you need more information:   http://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/public-assistance/404-hazard-mitigation-grant-program
NPDES Updates
NPDES Coalition Report Filed with SWB
 
The 2016 NPDES Coalition Report was filed with the State Water Resources Control Board on behalf of the participating districts. You can access a copy of the report in the "Members Only" section of the MVCAC website by clicking here. If you have any questions or issues you can contact the MVCAC office.
Access your Countersigned NPDES Coalition Agreement for 2016
 
If you would like to access and print a countersigned copy of your District's NPDES Coalition Agreement you can go to the MVCAC website Members only Section and find a copy. They are grouped alphabetically by District name. If you have any problems or questions please contact the MVCAC staff: mvcac@mvcac.org
To assist MVCAC NPDES Coalition members in preparing the annual report to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), MVCAC is providing the Sacramento/Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control annual report to be used as a template. Districts need to submit four items to the State Water Board.  Your report does NOT need to be sent to your regional boards.  

The MVCAC NPDES Coalition 2016 annual report will be submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) soon.

Each agency must submit the following:
  1. Cover Letter 
  2. Narrative Annual Report 
  3. Map of all treatments to WOTUS 
  4. Application Log of all applications to WOTUS 
Please submit your annual report to the SWRCB contacts below via email:
Please also bcc Rachel Hickerson:  rhickerson@amgroup.us from AMG when you send your package to the SWRCB. 
 
The cover letter should still be addressed to Victoria Whitney. The Vector Control permit annual report is due March 1st. 

Also, make sure the entire following statement is included in your cover letter and signed by the appropriate person:

Per Attachment B, Section V.B.4 of the General Permit:
"I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations." (40 C.F.R. § 122.22(d).)


MVCAC News Briefs - Zika Updates
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media.  The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding Zika.
CDC Zika Virus Web Page

CDC Zika Virus Microsite

CDPH Zika Virus Web Page

5/9/17: Mosquito-borne viruses like Zika may be spread at lower temperatures, potentially expanding impact - Medical Xpress

5/8/17: In Florida, they're fighting mosquitoes by meddling with their sex lives - ScienceNews

5/7/17: As mosquitoes return to Virginia, so do worries about Zika and pregnancy - Richmond Times-Dispatch
MVCAC News Briefs - Other Outbreaks
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media.  The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding other outbreaks.
5/10/17: Preventing Tick and Mosquito Bites This Season - My Twin Tiers

5/10/17: New Mexico braces for early mosquito invasion - Albuquerque Journal

5/9/17: UCI mosquito project receives $2 million from Gates Foundation to fight malaria - Orange County Register

5/9/17: Mosquitoes at San Dimas park test positive for West Nile Virus - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

5/8/17: Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate Against Mosquito-Borne Illness - WXPR

5/8/17: How to Protect Yourself From Surge in Lyme Disease Ticks - NBC Los Angeles