County seeks funds to combat mosquitoes

SUSSEX - The Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved an emergency appropriation of $83,000 to increase funding to fight the tenfold increase in the mosquito population. In addition, the board has written to federal and state leaders urgently seeking emergency funding to address the growing mosquito population. The areas within the county that have been hit especially hard include Sussex Borough, Vernon Township and Wantage Township. These municipalities surround the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses a large portion of “air spray” sites monitored and treated by the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control. Because this is federal wetland, the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders is requesting financial assistance to provide adequate resources to address the mosquito/larvae issue. Similarly, New Jersey state-owned land accounts for over 45,000 acres within the county. Any emergency funding received would allow the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control to larvicide the affected areas and eliminate mosquitoes before they reach adult stage and begin laying eggs. Although there have been no reported cases of West Nile virus in the county, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has reported the presence of West Nile virus in New Jersey for the 2006 season.