61 - RESPECT Plan- Report of Endangered Species and Pollinator Evaluation of Chemical Treatment-A decision making template for non-target assessment in mosquito management

Mosquito management entities must remain vigilant in consideration of protecting non-target animals when treating. Evaluating organisms of concern by species, protection status, and habitat range are paramount to success. Public health mosquito control providers responsible for the entirety of a specific area maintain treatment records, undertake surveillance of pest populations, and are subject to endangered species habitat impact assessment in treatment zones. Private mosquito management companies often span a wide region and the protected and vulnerable non-target species within this service area can vary. A company that foregoes proper integrated pest management (IPM) practices, will be unprepared to manage endangered species issues. This overview of a private mosquito management operation will highlight the challenges faced by a small-scale operator servicing multiple counties in Florida and Alabama and present a solution to avoid a potential treatment exposure. The RESPECT Plan is a preparedness and mitigation operations document designed to create awareness and continuity within a service area and take steps to avoid jeopardy to any species of concern. This document is a template that can be scaled to fit all service parameters across multiple districts, companies, regions, or states and assess any species of interest by habitat or migratory route. In the event of a treatment concern, contact lists of key personnel are in place with the response and recovery strategy ready to be implemented. Decisions in times of uncertainty are best applied through protocols and the public relations fallout from poor planning and delayed or inappropriate decisions can be detrimental to pesticide applicators. Endangered species and pollinator protections will continue to increase though public support, regulatory demand, and product label restrictions. An effective planning document adaptable to any pest management scenario is a valuable tool to protect wildlife, the environment, and the integrity of the applicator.