MOSQUITO CONTROL AGENCY: Office of Mosquito Control Coordination

DATE ESTABLISHED: 1975

MAILING ADDRESS: CN 400 Trenton, NJ 08625

TELEPHONE #: (609) 292-3649

FAX#: (609) 984-1414

MISSION STATEMENT: Office responsibilities - Administers the State Mosquito Airspray Program and serves as the agency for preparation of specifications for contracting of aircraft services and purchase of insecticides.

Disseminates mosquito control-related information to state and federal regulatory agencies, the State Mosquito Control Commission, county mosquito control agencies, and to the general public.

Keeps abreast with the laws of New Jersey, and regulations thereunder, pertaining to mosquito control, pesticides and pesticide applications, and the environment; forwards such information to appropriate state, county and local mosquito control agencies.

Reviews and evaluates county and state mosquito control programs currently being conducted in the state to insure adherence with existing state and federal laws and regulations.

As mandated under NJAC 7:7A, reviews and makes recommendations on all (GP#15) Freshwater Wetlands permit applications submitted by county mosquito control agencies.

Serves as liaison between coastal county mosquito control agencies and the department and federal agencies regarding processing and issuance of Waterfront Development and Corps of Engineers permits for mosquito control projects.

Cooperates with county mosquito commissions, State Mosquito Control Commission, the State Agricultural Experiment Station , the State Departments of Health and Agriculture, as well as other state and federal agencies, to develop and implement sound procedures and techniques of mosquito control in the areas of water management, chemical and biological control.

Provides advice and recommendations on mosquito control and entomological questions as required by the Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Governor. Responds on behalf of the Governor and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental protection on all referred correspondences and communications pertaining to insect-related inquiries and associated insecticide matters.

Cooperates with applicable county, state and federal agencies in the preparation and distribution of written and audio-visual materials for the public and communications media including: Projection supplies, radio and television support announcements, news releases, pamphlets and literature to inform, educate and/or train professional workers and the public in mosquitio control measures.

Cooperates with the Offices of Epidemiology and Consumer Health Service, in the Department of Health, in all matters pertaining to vector-borne diseases.

Analyses and reports on the incidents of mosquito-borne diseases in humans, wildlife and domestic animals, and relays information regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis activity to appropriate federal, state and county agencies.

Reviews and provides recommendations to the department on proposed revisions to various wetland and pesticide-use regulation.

Serves as administrative center and lead agency for all open marsh water management activities on the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service’s Edwin Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

Cooperates with the Department of Health and the N.J. Agricultural Experment Station in the coordination of appropriate county vector surveillance and abatement efforts.

Prepares and/or directs preparation of technically-sound, scientifically accurate, comprehensive reports on mosquito-related problems and control.

Assists in the development, coordination and evaluation of various state-funded mosquito control-related research projects, and distributes research data obtained from such studies to appropriate state and county mosquito control agencies.

Makes recommendations on, develops and prepares, yearly operating and capital budget requests for the State Mosquito Control Commission and represents same at departmental and state budget hearings.

Audits and exercises direct control over the obligation and expenditures of all State Mosquito Control Commission funds. Maintains day-to-day ledger of all Commission accounts.

Responsible for coordination and review of all State Commission-supported projects and programs.

Prepares, processes, supervises and maintains files on all State Commission contracts and agreements.

Maintains all State Commission records, files and other documents.

Is responsible for preparation and distribution of State Mosquito Control Commission Annual Reports.

In cooperation with the Attorney General’s Office, and other state departments, obtains and relays specific information regarding state policies and regulations to the members of the State Commission.

Cooperates with the department’s Pesticide Control Element regarding certification, training and licensing of mosquito control personnel and/or equipment, reviews and investigates mosquito control-related and/or other aerial pesticide violations.

Also reviews and prepares specifications for mosquito control chemicals and insecticides for Department of Treasury.

Administrator represents State Mosquito Control Commission on Public Service Electric and Gas’s Monitoring Advisory and Management Planning Advisory Committees, as required by NJPDES Permit # NJ000562.