Wolk honored for work to protect Californians from West Nile virus

Group names Wolk their "Legislator of the Year" for 2006

SACRAMENTO–A statewide advocacy group devoted to preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases honored Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) yesterday for her work to protect Californians from West Nile Virus.

The Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC)—which provides mosquito and vector borne disease surveillance, as well as professional training and advocacy-- named Wolk their Legislator of the Year for 2006 for her efforts, both legislative and in the state budget process.

“This is a great honor,” said Wolk, chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. “For several years, I have worked to ensure that adequate resources are available to mosquito control districts to fight the spread of West Nile Virus. We can’t ignore this threat. We must continue to work to protect and educate the public.”

In 2004, Wolk authored legislation requiring all state-managed lands to implement healthy and habitat-friendly mosquito abatement. The bill, which requires the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to include Best Management Practices (BMPs) for mosquito abatement in their wetlands management plans, was signed by the Governor. In 2003, she authored legislation to create a program to reduce mosquito populations in times of flood.

Wolk also worked to include $1.5 million in the state budget last year to continue to fund and implement BMPs on DFG wetlands.

“The funding Assemblywoman Wolk secured helped reduce the risk of West Nile virus, preserve limited mosquito control resources, reduce the pesticide load and preserve wetlands for waterfowl and other species. And the BMPs required by her legislation have proven successful in reducing mosquito populations and the threat of West Nile virus, preserving limited mosquito control resources, cutting the pesticide load, and encouraging the conservation of state wetlands critical to waterfowl and other wildlife,” said David Brown, MVCAC President-Elect and Manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. “We are grateful for her steadfast support.”