Coos County commissioners voted unanimously to approve mosquito abatement using fixed-wing aircraft over the Bandon, Ore., resort, along with the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area. Bandon Dunes will contribute $10,000 to the cost of spraying two chemicals, MetaLarv S-PT and Dibrome, which were chosen because they were deemed safe by county health authorities.
Despite concerns about negative environmental risks, Coos County commissioners voted unanimously to approve aerial spraying of insecticides near Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, the Coos Bay (Ore.) World reported.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort will pay $10,000 and the city of Bandon has offered to pay $5,000 toward the cost of mosquito abatement using fixed-wing aircraft. Coos County will donate $5,000 from its economic development fund and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will foot the bill over the wildlife refuge, the World reported.
Coos County decided to take the lead with a decision this week supported by commissioners Melissa Cribbins and John Sweet. The county will pay the upfront costs to begin abatement. Other government agency funding is expected to offset some of those expenses, the World reported.
Hank Hickox, manager at Bandon Dunes, said he will give the county the money whenever they ask.
The county hopes to spray between September 12 and 17, but is still taking bids for contractors to do the job. They will notify the public when the spraying is to occur, the World reported.
Nikki Zogg, Coos County Health Department administrator, Fish and Wildlife representatives, James Lunders, manager and biologist with Jackson County Vector Control District and other officials devised how to rid the area around Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge of mosquitoes at a private meeting August 29. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort leaders and area residents showed up to attend, but were told to leave, the World reported.
Rob Lowe, project leader for USFWS, said they wanted everyone to feel “comfortable to speak their mind,” but couldn’t if media and others were present, the World reported.
The plan calls for the spraying of two chemicals, MetaLarv S-PT and Dibrome, which were chosen because they were deemed safe by USFWS and county health authorities. MetaLarv was said to be the “safest, most practical product to decrease the amount of larva that become adults,” according to the plan released from the county health department. Dibrome, which is supposed to kill adult mosquitoes, was selected because it was “the safest and most effective, fast-acting product,” the World reported.
Both chemicals will be applied in the morning or evening, when the wind is about 5 mph, the World reported.
Officials believe one application of Dibrome is needed now, with a possibility of more. One application of MetaLarv is needed immediately and another in the spring of 2014. Regular application is needed to control mosquito populations, the plan stated.
“The amount that’s sprayed is such a light concentration, it’s not considered a health hazard,” said Zogg.
About three-fourths of an ounce of Dibrome and three pounds of MetaLarv will be sprayed per acre. About 225 acres will be covered, the World reported.
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