Mosquito control opportunities amid regulations within the tidal marshes of the San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is a leader in environmental stewardship and home to numerous wetland restoration projects including the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the American West Coast. As tidal marsh wetlands are restored throughout the Bay Area many opportunities remain to reaffirm the importance of water management that reduces mosquito production and protects public health. Unlike the early 1900s when long term saltmarsh mosquito control was achieved with large scale surface water management projects, regulatory restrictions produce new hurdles that impact mosquito control and restoration projects alike. Work done in the wetlands surrounding the San Francisco Bay must comply with existing management plans, permit requirements, and government regulations. The same is true for emerging technologies. While unmanned airsystems employed for mosquito control improves efficiency and accuracy, regulations in this arena limit their broad use in wetlands that abut the San Francisco Bay. Mosquito abatement districts collect substantial scientific data that inform land management and mosquito control operations. This information is useful for evaluating wetland restoration progress in the Bay Area and fostering partnerships that keep a public health perspective at the forefront.