Resolution to Ban Aerial Spraying in University City
by Margaret Gilleo and Yvonne Homeyer
University City is the first local government to ban spraying for mosquitoes. The attached resolution memorializes the University City Council’s decision in June to impose a moratorium on spraying this year (i.e., discontinue previous policy of contracting with County Health Dept. to spray).
The following Email of July 7, 2003 is from Shelley Welsch, Councilmember. It was addressed to Margaret Gilleo, Education Chair and Yvonne Homeyer, Conservation Chair, and others, and included the resolution:
Hi, Just wanted to let you know that a majority of the members of the City Council of University City tonight passed the attached resolution concerning the contracted airborne spraying of Permethrin in the City of University City. The vote was four to three, with Wayne Munkel, Bob Wagner, Arthur Sharp and I voted in the affirmative.
Ciao.
Shelley Welsch
Councilmember—Second Ward
E-mail: ward2@ucitymo.com
A RESOLUTION IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON THE CONTRACTED AIRBORNE SPRAYING OF PERMETHRIN TO COMBAT MOSQUITOES IN UNIVERSITY CITY
WHEREAS the airborne spraying of pesticides has been contracted for in University City in recent years, in response to concerns about the mosquito population in our neighborhoods, and
WHEREAS the chemical-containing Permethrin has been the main constituent of the pesticide spraying, and
WHEREAS Permethrin is thought to be injurious to human health in many instances, and
WHEREAS there is much evidence reported that indiscriminate airborne pesticide spraying is ineffective in killing mosquitoes but kills many predators of mosquitoes, as well as birds, insects, and fish, and
WHEREAS the City Council of University City has conducted a public hearing on the advisability of airborne pesticide spraying, and
WHEREAS many residents have requested that routine neighborhood spraying not be done as in the past, and
WHEREAS much research has been done that shows that the first, most effective step in an integrated pest management program is the education of the citizenry regarding the part it plays in providing mosquitoes with a habitat for breeding, and
WHEREAS research has shown that larvaciding is more effective than adulticiding in controlling mosquito numbers, now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a moratorium on the contracted airborne spraying of Permethrin-based products in University City, except under emergency conditions of proven, significant presence of the West Nile Virus, or other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of University City should continue and expand public education programs for city residents, spelling out clearly and concisely how and what they can do to limit the mosquito population, including the availability and use of mosquito larvicides, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager should direct the University City environmental and code inspectors to search for and cite any improper attention given to mosquito-breeding water sources on private and commercial properties within University City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that while we recognize the position of the St. Louis County Department of Health that it believes it has the authority to do airborne spraying of Permethrin, with this moratorium it is our intention to convey to the County that we strongly discourage this last, potentially serious step of airborne spraying until an appropriate surveillance threshold has been reached that indicates a significant, actual threat that could only be dealt with through such airborne spraying.
