Dear Editor,

As you may be aware, a letter was sent certified mail last week by the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District to all households on the Do Not Spray List in Marin and Sonoma Counties. The letter announced the implementation of a new Adult Mosquito Control Notification Program, which would replace the Do Not Spray list.

As a member of the Board of Trustees representing District 4, I am writing to assure you that the Board never voted for or approved the elimination of the Do Not Spray list. While I am excited about our new upgraded advanced notification system, the two programs should be complimentary and the Do Not Spray list should be maintained. As our regularly scheduled board meeting was cancelled this month, we have called for a special meeting to address this issue in a timely manner. 

Fortunately for West Marin residents, the West Marin Control Coordinating Council and the District signed an historic five-year agreement that prohibits any chemical spraying in our area, except in extremely limited circumstances (available at: www.bcpud.org/wmmcc.htm). Nonetheless, this does not excuse the need for a long-term Do Not Spray list in Marin and Sonoma counties. I support the List’s maintenance if not expansion.

Frederick Smith

West Marin Representative, MSMVCD

Executive Director, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

(Published in the January 26, 2009 issues of The Point Reyes Light and West Marin Citizen)