2001 - Saginaw County

Board of Commissioners April 24, 2001
PRESENT --- Raymond F. Bartels, Thomas A. Basil, Robert D. Blaine,
Jeanine A. Collison, Robert L. Fish, Eddie F. Foxx, James M.
Graham, Kenneth B. Horn, Richard F. Mallette, Michael P. O'Hare,
Carl E. Ruth, Connie D. Smith, Robert M. Woods Jr., Patrick A.
Wurtzel
ABSENT --- Todd M. Hare
The following was offered by Commissioner Woods and seconded by
Commissioner Graham:
WHEREAS, The draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)
developed for the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is
specifically proposing to end mosquito control on all existing
refuge lands as well as on all future refuge land throughout
Saginaw County; and,
WHEREAS, Mosquito control activities have been allowed for
the past twenty years with no adverse impact on the wildlife or
the refuge land; and,
WHEREAS, The public health and public comfort level as
stipulated in the Food Quality Protection Act would be directly
impacted by the elimination of mosquito control on refuge lands;
and,
WHEREAS, A Technical Advisory Group for the Saginaw County
Mosquito Abatement Commission has conducted a review of all
scientific published articles related to the "impact on the food
chain for wildlife", a point the refuge uses in their
justification of ending mosquito control, this Board agrees with
and adopts the position by this scientific committee that states
"the risks of discontinuing larviciding, i.e., increased potential
for viral disease in man and animal, are great. The benefits of
discontinuing are low... Thus the most prudent course is to
continue larviciding;" and,
WHEREAS, All Saginaw County residents will be directly and
negatively impacted by eliminating mosquito abatement on refuge
lands abutting the City of Saginaw, Saginaw Township, Thomas
Township, James Township, Bridgeport Township, Spaulding Township,
Swan Creek Township, and Tittabawassee Township.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Saginaw County Board
of Commissioners object to the policy of eliminating mosquito
control on refuge lands, and due to this policy of eliminating
mosquito control on refuge lands, also object to all expansion of
Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge lands in Saginaw County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
forwarded to all affected townships encouraging their respective
Boards to take appropriate action, and that the Mosquito
Commission relay this information to the citizenry in the
affected areas.
Respectfully submitted
Saginaw County Board of Commissioners
Robert L. Fish, Chair
A vote on the foregoing resolution was taken and was as follows:
159