Sp 3-mosquito Control_west Nile Virus 2009

REPORT TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

PRESENTED: FROM: SUBJECT:

JUNE 1, 2009 - SPECIAL MEETING 09-78 REPORT: ENGINEERING DIVISION 5280-16 FILE: 2009 NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL AND WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAMS UPDATE

RECOMMENDATION(S):

That Council receive the 2009 Nuisance Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus Programs update report; and further That Council nominate a Council Member to Fraser Health for membership of their Adult Mosquito Control Local Advisory Committee (LAC). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Township of Langley is once again undertaking two separate mosquito control programs, similar to previous years. The first program is the nuisance mosquito control program that is administered by Metro Vancouver and includes five member parties (four municipalities: Langley, Maple Ridge, Surrey and Pitt Meadows; and Metro Vancouver Parks). The goal of this program is to reduce the overall nuisance mosquito population in the region. Several initiatives are undertaken annually including: monitoring and treatment of known mosquito breeding areas; continued mapping and surveillance of new mosquito sites; the use of mosquito magnets to control adult mosquitoes; and the use of ground based and aerial larvicide application (precisely dropped from a helicopter) to control mosquito populations. Funding for Nuisance Mosquito Control activities is provided from municipal budgets. The second program identifies and aims to reduce the risk from mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus (WNv). Building on initiatives from previous years, staff developed a comprehensive response plan to manage WNv vector mosquitoes and to promote public awareness. Funding for the WNv related activities is being provided by the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. In 2009 the Ministry funding is limited to activities such as public education, source reduction projects (i.e. the tire collection event), along with other components from previous programs. The Ministry has removed funding for preemptive monitoring and treatment of WNv mosquito habitat; therefore, altering the Township’s WNv program for 2009. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information on the ongoing Nuisance Mosquito Control Program and changes to the WNv risk reduction initiatives.

2009 NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL AND WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAMS UPDATE

Page 2 . . . BACKGROUND/HISTORY:

Historically, mosquito control in the Township of Langley was primarily for reducing nuisance. Most of these efforts have been along the Fraser River where the annual freshet results in inundation of lands and the hatching of mosquito eggs. However, with the spread of WNv, new mosquito control strategies, beginning in 2004, were required. The virus first became apparent in North America in New York in 1999 and has since spread to all continental US states and six Canadian provinces including Alberta. WNv has not yet been detected in British Columbia, but it is expected the virus may make its way into our province. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:

Nuisance Mosquito Control Program for 2009 The Township of Langley is one of four (4) municipalities that participate in Metro Vancouver’s regional nuisance mosquito control program. The other participating municipalities include the District of Maple Ridge, City of Surrey, and the District of Pitt Meadows. In 2009 Metro Vancouver Parks have become a fifth partner by including three (3) area parks in the monitoring and control program (Brae Island, Derby Reach, and Kanaka Creek parks). The primary emphasis of the program is to control mosquitoes at the larval stage of the mosquito lifecycle. Our scientific based approach involves surveillance, identification, data collection, monitoring, and treatment of sites known to produce mosquitoes. Sites are treated by spreading pellets coated with eco-friendly products (called larvicide) onto surface waters by a variety of methods: hand, backpack spreader, boat, or aerial means (precisely dropped from a helicopter). These applications are targeted to specific areas, carried out in a scientific manner, and have been proven to be very effective at reducing mosquito populations. The contractor responsible for implementing the nuisance control program in the Township for 2009-2011 is Culex Environmental. Township staff, in coordination with Metro Vancouver and Culex Environmental, will continue to improve on initiatives that expand on previous years’ nuisance mosquito control programs: •

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Foreshore Mosquito Habitat Mapping – In order to improve mosquito control along the Fraser foreshore, Culex Environmental conducts on-going mapping and surveillance to identify breeding sites. Mosquito Magnet Program – Mosquito magnets, which attract and trap adult mosquitoes, will once again be employed in high-traffic areas along the Fraser River, such as the Fort Langley business district, for daytime adult mosquito control. Effectively Timed Aerial Larvicide Treatments – in 2008, aerial larvicide treatments were deemed necessary to treat inaccessible areas of mosquito breeding habitat (i.e. McMillan Island), however due to logistics these took place later than expected. In 2009 all of the agreements and logistics are in place so that if aerial treatments are needed they can be delivered in a timely matter. Continued Public Education and Local Consultations – Township and Contractor staff attend various public meetings, stakeholder meetings, public events as well as distribute information on mosquitoes and the mosquito control programs annually. Mosquito Control Hotline – As we depend on the public to tell us when and where they are having mosquito problems, a "mosquito hotline" has been established to take calls from residents regarding mosquito concerns. HOTLINE: 1.800.872.1912

2009 NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL AND WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAMS UPDATE

Page 3 . . . West Nile Virus Risk Reduction Initiatives for 2009 In 2009 the Fraser Health Authority updated their strategy and recommendations for WNv risk reduction initiatives, since “…the movement of WNv north through the States neighboring BC is not progressing as rapidly as expected…” (E.Bodkin, Medical Health Officer, Feb.02.09) (Attachment A). As a result, Fraser Health is no longer requiring municipalities to conduct preemptive larval mosquito control, monitoring, or treatment in catch basins or surface water sites known to produce WNv species. In addition, an updated WNv response plan is no longer required. With the reduction in recommended initiatives, funding for WNv activities (provided by the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport) has been reduced. The 2009 Ministry funding is limited to activities such as public education, source reduction projects (i.e. the tire collection event), and limited identification and mapping of new WNv mosquito habitat, along with other components from previous programs. There is provision for additional Ministry funds should WNv arrive in BC and mosquito treatments are deemed necessary (detailed below). This reduction of funding has resulted in alterations to the Township’s WNv program for 2009. As with previous years, information related to WNv will be disseminated to the public through a number of means: • the print and radio media (Township Page and others), • information pamphlets sent to all Township homeowners, • information booths set-up and staffed at various public events, • presentations to elementary school students, and • information located in various municipal guides. Staff have worked with the Metro Vancouver to develop a regional communications plan to ensure coordinated responses from member municipalities. In an effort to further reduce mosquito breeding habitat on private property, the Township will be hosting the 3rd Annual Tire Collection Event. The event was first initiated in 2007, with over 10,000 tires collected and recycled to date. This year’s event will be held on Sunday July 19 at the former Township Hall parking lot in Murrayville. If WNv is confirmed in the Fraser Health region in 2009, and adult mosquito control is required and/or ordered by the Medical Health Officer, the Township would again participate in the Adult Mosquito Control Local Advisory Committee (LAC) established by Fraser Health. Current members are, Councilor Grant Ward (alternate), General Manager of Engineering, and Manager of Water Resources and Environment. Since Councilor Howie Vickberg has retired, there is a vacant Council position. In addition, the Ministry would release secured funds to the municipalities for the application of larvicide in previously identified and mapped habitats known to produce mosquito species that can potentially carry WNv. The Township’s nuisance mosquito control contract (through Metro Vancouver with Culex Environmental) has the ability to be expanded to include WNv treatment activities should they be required.

2009 NUISANCE MOSQUITO CONTROL AND WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAMS UPDATE

Page 4 . . . Financial Implications The Township has budgeted $55,000 for nuisance mosquito control in 2009. The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport provides funding for local governments to implement WNv risk reduction initiatives for the purpose of reducing the risk of WNv transmission. The funding eligible to the Township of Langley in 2009 is $62,750.00. These allocated funds have been applied for and approved for 2009, and will be distributed by the UBCM to the Township shortly (Attachment B). Respectfully submitted,

Justin St. Andrassy ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR I for ENGINEERING DIVISION

Kevin Larsen MANAGER, WATER & ENVIRONMENT for ENGINEERING DIVISION

ATTACHMENT A

West Nile virus (WNv) - Updated Strategy and Recommendations for 2009 (Fraser Health Authority)

ATTACHMENT B

Notice of Funding for 2009 West Nile virus Risk Reduction Initiative Base Funding (Union of British Columbia Municipalities)

ATTACHMENT A

ATTACHMENT B