iSacramento - California's Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will use $1.5 million, allocated for West Nile control, to reduce mosquito populations and the risk of disease. DFG has identified projects in cooperation with local vector control districts and work will begin as soon as possible according to DFG Director Ryan Broddrick.

?Į?Į"This new allocation will enable DFG to implement projects identified in cooperation with local agencies and organizations that reduce the risk of West Nile virus," Broddrick said. "The funding improves our ability to reduce mosquito populations on DFG lands while meeting our legal mandates to provide habitat for migratory birds and rare, threatened, and endangered species."

"We have been very pleased and excited to work with DFG in the Yolo Bypass to implement Best Management Practices that will reduce mosquito habitat and the need for pesticide applications," said Dave Brown, Manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District (MVCAC) and a Mosquito and Vector Control Association board member.

The initial projects, in eight wildlife areas, will cost about $845,000, Broddrick said. The projects include:

San Jacinto Wildlife Area: vegetation management $30,000.?ĮMendota Wildlife Area: ditch excavation, $20,000; vegetation management $20,000; and pump repair, $110,000.?ĮLos Banos Wildlife Area: water control structure replacement, $45,000; vegetation management, $30,000; and water management, $50,000.?ĮNorth Grasslands Wildlife Area: water control structure replacement, $55,000; vegetation management, $50,000.?ĮGrizzly Island Wildlife Area: pumping costs, $20,000; swale construction and levee work, 60,000.?ĮYolo Wildlife Area: vegetation management, $50,000.?ĮUpper Butte Basin Wildlife Area: levee construction and repair, $50,000; water control structure replacement, $40,000; and swale work, $40,000.?ĮGray Lodge Wildlife Area: water control structure replacement, $50,000; levee repair, $50,000; and swale construction, $75,000.

The $1.5 million funding proposal was developed by the MVCAC, strongly supported by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and approved in the 2006-2007 State Budget Act signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. DFG will be working with local districts over the next few months to identify additional projects for the remaining funds.

?Į?ĮDFG estimates that more than 7 million waterfowl and other water birds utilize the Central Valley during migration or in winter. The Central Valley provides wintering habitat for 60 percent of all waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway, which stretches from Alaska to Mexico. The MVCAC represents 63 of the approximately 70 agencies in the state responsible for mosquito control, surveillance programs to detect West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, and public education to help Californians protect against disease.

DFG began working with the MVCAC three years ago to address potential conflicts between state lands managed for waterfowl and the mosquitoes that reproduce on those lands. The work has developed a series of habitat-based, best management practices (BMPs) for mosquito prevention. Some of the proactive steps taken by the DFG include delaying the flooding of wetlands, when possible, to coincide with the timing of annual migration of waterfowl and shorebirds; flooding wetlands, when required, as quickly as possible to deter multiple hatches of mosquitoes; maintaining stable water levels with good water circulation, allowing wildlife area managers to offset water lost to evaporation and seepage, and avoiding stagnant conditions conducive to mosquito production; and directing more attention to inspections and replacement of water control structures, gates, and pipes to ensure that water is only applied when and where desired for wetland flooding.