The Ocean County Mosquito Extermination Commission requests a ten year permit to continue maintaining the existing mosquito control ponds and ditches approved by earlier permits. Such maintenance activities would largely involve the removal of sediment and debris from the ditches, creeks, and ponds, some currently non-functioning, by amphibious rotary excavator, specifically designed to shred the excavated material and broadcast it in a thin sheet over the surrounding marsh surface (3 inches or less). The Commission has been using Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) and other methods to control mosquitoes in Ocean County's tidal marshes since 1970. Such usage of OMWM methodologies are employed alongside applications of larvicidal compounds (insecticides) in order to manage mosquito populations.
The Commission largely proposes the ongoing maintenance of existing marsh management facilities, they also wish to receive authorization for the future usage of OMWM techniques should the need arise. The Commission would utilize the OMWM techniques only in tidal marshes which have been documented to breed mosquitoes. Marshes that do not breed mosquitoes would not be managed.
Work associated with mosquito control would occur in the following municipalities: Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Bay Head, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley, Brick, Eagleswood, Harvey Cedars, Island Heights, Lacey, Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach, Mantoloking, Ocean, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, South Toms River, Stafford, Surf City, Toms River, and Tuckerton.
The applicant's stated purpose is to provide a permanent control of mosquito breeding, coexistent with wildlife use and production, while lessening the use of mosquito
larvicides and enhancing the tidal food chain. More details are available in the "Public Notice & Plan Details" attachment. Public comments are due by June 20, 2019.