The San Diego County Vector Control Program (VCP) is a branch within the County of San Diego - Department of Environmental Health. A "vector" is an animal or insect that can carry and pass on a human disease. Some examples of vectors in San Diego County are mosquitoes, ticks and rodents.
The VCP works in the county of San Diego to monitor and control vectors and the diseases that they carry. The VCP has been reducing and controlling mosquitoes and other vectors since the 1930’s.
The VCP:
1. Protects public health by surveying for diseases carried by vectors.
2. Controls and reduces peoples’ exposure to vectors and human diseases.
3. Responds to public requests for vector inspections.
4. Educates the public about mosquitoes and other vectors to help residents protect themselves from the diseases vectors can carry.
NEW:
The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is proposing to adopt a Negative Declaration in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for an ordinance amending Title 6 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances relating to Vector Control to establish a county-wide (incorporated cities and unincorporated area) Eye Gnat Program; ER#12-00-001. The San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances would also be amended. The proposed Eye Gnat Program and Ordinance would provide DEH authority to address eye gnat nuisances wherever they occur, and would implement a progressive strategy for intervention when commercial organic farms cause an eye gnat nuisance. Changes to the Ordinance as it was previously released for public review from January 31, 2012 to February 10, 2012 would still not authorize DEH to require the use of conventional pesticides on organic crops or fields or to restrict the crops that could be grown organically on a farm, except as a last resort. However, under this program DEH could only require the use of five active ingredients contained in certain conventional pesticides. DEH could not order that farms be closed, that farm size or intensity be reduced, or that physical barriers or fencing taller than 42 inches be used.
The proposed Negative Declaration and supporting Initial Study can be reviewed at the Eye Gnat Homepage, or at the Department of Environmental Health public counter located at 5570 Overland Avenue, Suite 102, San Diego, California 92123, the Assessors/Recorder/County Clerk office at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92101, and all public library branches. Comments on the proposed Negative Declaration and Initial Study must be sent to the DEH address listed above or to eyegnat@sdcounty.ca.gov, attention to “Eye Gnat Ordinance and Program”.
Comments on this proposed Negative Declaration and Initial Study must be received no later than June 12, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. (a 20 day public review period).
Additionally, a summary of changes between the Draft Ordinance released for public review and comment by DEH from January 31, 2012 – February 10, 2012 and the proposed amended Ordinance dated May 24, 2012 is provided to assist the interested parties in identifying the changes that have occurred. This summary and the revised Draft Ordinance are found below as Attachment A of the Initial Study.
If you would like to sign up to receive e-mail announcements on the eye gnat program please click on the link: E-Gov Delivery Notice Subscription If this link does not work, please visit http://service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=CASAND and subscribe to Eye Gnats, Countywide under Environmental Health.
