| West Umatilla Vector Control
District was created in 1972 under provisions of Chapter 452,
Oregon Revised Statutes to provide a program for relief from
mosquitoes in a 515 square mile area of Western Umatilla County.
Changes in the Statutes have substantially altered the definition
of "public health vectors" to include additional
arthropods and rodents since the formation of the district.
As the district
was originally formed and funded for mosquito control, the
boards of trustees have designated that mosquito control shall
be the
principal program of the district. However the board has established
the policy that the district will provide to residents of the
district technical information regarding other vector pest
and their control so far as personnel, time, and monies permit.
The district board of trustee's have established policy and
guidelines and employed personnel to implement a comprehensive
control program.
The program is reviewed annually for revisions to adjust
to regulatory and ecological requirements or changing conditions.
The district program is financed by a property tax levy.
A tax base for the district was established in the fall
of 1972
and
increased in May of 1996.
Mosquito control today is an integrated management program
that recognizes that mosquito populations cannot always
be eliminated,
but can be suppressed to tolerable levels for the well
being of humans, domestic animals or wildlife. Selection
of scientifically
sound methods must be based on consideration of what
is ecologically and economically in the best interest of mankind
over the
long term.
Much of the progress in the district program is due to
the support, cooperation and assistance received from
numerous individuals,
firms and agencies and is
greatly appreciated by the board of trustees and district
employees.
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