California Governor Schwarzenegger Deploys Additional Resources to Fight West Nile Virus in Wetland Wildlife Areas

08/20/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed an executive order allocating up to $500,000 for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for vegetation management in State managed wetland wildlife areas most at risk for West Nile Virus. Today’s action builds upon Governor Schwarzenegger’s emergency proclamation signed earlier this month and commitment of more than $10 million in emergency funding to fight this mosquito borne disease.

“Working together with our local partners, the State has targeted its swift response to the areas in greatest danger of this mosquito borne disease. I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure California is adequately protected against West Nile Virus,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger.

At a minimum, DFG will use this funding for control efforts at:

* Mendota Wildlife Area (Fresno County);
* Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas (Merced County);
* Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area (Butte and Glenn counties); and
* Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (Butte and Sutter counties).

Prior to this summer’s emergency actions, Governor Schwarzenegger has invested more than $15 million to fight West Nile Virus.

Full text of the executive order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER S-11-07

WHEREAS on August 2, 2007, I issued a Proclamation of Emergency regarding the imminent threat to persons and property caused by West Nile Virus; and

WHEREAS the State of California, along with local governments, have made sustained efforts to minimize the spread of the virus, and the state has dedicated more than $15 million over the last three years to mitigate the virus’s effects; and

WHEREAS the August 2, 2007 Emergency Proclamation ordered the Department of Public Health to do the following: (1) allocate up to $1 million, as needed, to local vector control agencies to identify potential mosquito habitat and to treat those areas to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus; (2) allocate up to $350,000 to local vector control agencies for surveillance purposes to provide an early warning of the incidence of West Nile Virus so that proper control measures can be taken by the local vector control agencies to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus; and (3) coordinate with the State and Consumer Services Agency, the Resources Agency and the Department of Food and Agriculture to develop a plan using best management practices for implementation by the appropriate state agencies for the early detection of West Nile Virus on state-owned properties and appropriate mitigation and abatement measures, allocating funds up to $150,000 to develop the plan; and

WHEREAS on August 13, 2007, I issued Executive Order S-10-07, which ordered the Department of Public Health to allocate up to an additional $10 million, as needed, to local vector control agencies for (1) identification of potential mosquito habitat, (2) treatment of those areas to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, and/or (3) surveillance to provide an early warning of the incidence of West Nile Virus so that proper control measures can be taken by the local vector control agencies to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus in counties identified by the Department of Public Health; and

WHEREAS in addition to the foregoing, proper management of vegetation on lands owned and managed by the State will further reduce mosquito numbers, and thus further reduce the spread of West Nile Virus.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, and in particular, sections 8567, 8571 and 8690.6 of the California Government Code, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:

IT IS ORDERED that the Department of Public Health shall allocate up to $500,000 in additional funds to the Department of Fish and Game. The Department of Fish and Game shall use these funds for vegetation management on the following wetland wildlife areas managed by the Department of Fish and Game and located in counties determined by the Department of Public Health to be at high risk of West Nile Virus transmission: Mendota Wildlife Area (Fresno County); Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas (Merced County); Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area (Butte and Glenn counties); and Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (Butte and Sutter counties). In addition to these wetland wildlife areas, the Department of Fish and Game shall use these funds for vegetation management on other wetland wildlife areas identified in consultation with the Department of Public Health as being located within counties that are moderate to high risk of West Nile Virus transmission. The Department of Fish and Game shall consult with the Department of Public Health regarding best practices for vegetation management to prevent West Nile Virus, including best water management practices, vegetation control, wetland infrastructure maintenance, wetland enhancement features, and biological controls.

This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 20th Day of August 2007.

______________________________

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor of California

ATTEST:

_______________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Source: California Governor

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