HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04171990 - FC.5 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra• FROM: Finance Committee Co Itl a
Costa
DATE: April 17, 1990 -
SUBJECT: . GROUND SQUIRREL ABATEMENT PROGRAM -County
Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept status report on the ground squirrel abatement program.
2. Direct the County Administrator to advance $10,000 to fund the grain portion of the
abatement program for fiscal year 1989-90.
3. Direct the County Administrator to allocate $30,000 of an estimated $60,000 cost
for the grain portion of the abatement program for fiscal year 1990-91.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the ground squirrel abatement program is $90,000. This includes one
biologist, which is funded with $5,000 from Cal Trans, $10,000 from Public Works and
$15,000 from Special District Augmentation Funds; and $60,000 for treated grain, which
would involve a cost sharing arrangement with growers, developers, the County and other
agencies.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND:
On January 30, 1990 the Board of Supervisors directed the County Administrator, the
Health Services Director, and the Director of Agriculture to identify sources of
matching funds for a $15,000 ground squirrel abatement contract. On March 20, 1990 the
County Administrator identified $15,000 from Special District Augmentation Fund for a
biologist position for this purpose. The Board of Supervisors directed the Director of
Agriculture, the County Administrator, and the Health Services Director to continue to
identify sources of funding for the grain portion of the abatement program.
On March 20, 1990 the County Administrator requested that the Health Services Department
review the concept of funding a portion of the abatement program. Attached is a letter
from Wendel Brunner, Director of Public Health, in response to our request for funds.
The Health Services Department states that bubonic plague is not present in the ground
squirrel population in Contra Costa County. Although the tick which carries Lyme
disease is carried by almost any warm-blooded furred animal, including ground squirrels,
the department does not recommend a general animal eradication program. The department
cannot recommend funds for a ground squirrel abatement program as a public health
measure for either plague or lyme disease.
It was determined that the Director of Agriculture has abatement authority and he is
currently developing a policy for ground squirrel abatement on large tracts of
undeveloped land. The plan is to notify developers with large tracts of undeveloped
land of the abatement program and request that they share in the cost of the program.
The Department is also continuing negotiations with potential contributors such as the
City of Walnut Creek and Contra Costa Water District.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES Signature:
Recommendation off
istrator
x Recommendation oftee
Approve /Si ature s Ro r Tom Torlakson
Action of Board on: April 17, 1990 Approved as Recommended x Other
Vote of Supervisors: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT .THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
x Unanimous (Absent — ) AMID ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
Attested: /-7, /990
cc: County Administrator Phil Batchelor, Clerk of
Department of Agriculture the Board of Supervisors
Health Services Department and County Administrator
By Deputy
Page Two
The County will continue to pursue funding to assist growers with the purchase of
treated grain to improve abatement efforts.
Direct the County Administrator to advance $10,000 to fund the grain portion of the
abatement program for fiscal year 1989-90. A total of $5,000 should be paid back by
growers as part of the 50-50 cost sharing formula.
Direct the County Administrator to allocate $30,000 of the estimated $60,000 cost for
the grain portion of the abatement program for fiscal year 1990-91. The remaining
$30,000 will be paid by growers, large landowners and other 'agencies.
1
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... Contra Costa County
•- Health Services Department
•� PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION
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Administrative Offices
.�, 1111 Ward Street
Martinez,California 94553
March 20, 1990
(moo itG JcC1 J�J�!l n
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To: Lisa Frazer
County Administrator's OfficeC7f.'icc of
From: Wendel Brunner, �,,,,,-�/V
Director of Public Health%
Re: Ground Squirrel Abatement Program
I am in receipt of a memo to the Board of Supervisors from
Supervisor Tom Torlakson dated January 30, 1990 to consider an
appropriation for a ground squirrel abatement program. The concern
was expressed that the ground squirrel population in East County
might be a public health hazard because the squirrels may be
carrying bubonic plague or Lyme disease.
Bubonic plague is not present in the ground squirrel population in
Contra Costa County. The presence of bubonic plague in the State
of California is monitored regularly by the State Department of
Health Services, and is not present at all in Contra Costa County.
The tick which carries Lyme disease, Ixodes dammini, is carried by
almost any warm-blooded furred animal, including ground squirrels .
However, we do not recommend the control of Lyme disease by a
general animal eradication program. Instead, we recommend
protective measures by hikers and the prompt removal of ticks .
We do not recommend a ground squirrel abatement program as a public
health measure.
I hope this information will be of assistance to you.
WB:rm
cc: Mark Finucane
Health Services Director
A372 (1/89)