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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/09/01 Additional Information MEMO '4/1109 A-d~;'h'0\,o.\ r~-\..() ~\f? ~ ~~~~ CITY OF (HULA VISTfl Pub,lie Works Department DATE: August 3 I, 2009 TO: FROM: Honorable Mayor and City Council Jim Sandoval, City Manag~ '1 Scott Tulloch, Assistant Ci:~'J:ager S \ ~ Richard Hopkins, Director of Public Work~ Matt Little, Assistant Director of Public WorkQ.-- VIA: SUBJECT: Mediterranean Iruit fly in Imperial Beach City Staff was recently notilied by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (see Attachment) that a Mediterranean fruit Jly was discovered on July 30 in Imperial Beach. Due to the potential damage to fruit crops and the very wide host range of this pest, eradication efforts began immediately. At present, the only treatment within the City of Chula Vista will be to release sterile fruit flies. Should this situation change, staff will notify Council immediately. Any questions regarding this program should be directed to the California Department of "OOn and Agri~"lt!lr" "t: (n 19) 654-1211. 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91911 www.chulavistaca,gov (619) 397-6000 fax (619) 397-625i CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE OFFICIAL NOTICE FOR THE CITIES OF CHULA VISTA, CORONADO, IMPERIAL BEACH AND SAN DIEGO PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY PROCLAMATION OF AN ERADICATION PROJECT AGAINST THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY The Mediterranean fruit fly (MDFF), a serious exotic insect pest, was detected in the City of Imperial Beach, San Diego County on July 30, 2009. The MDFF is not known to be established in California. This pest attacks over 250 different hosts, many of which are grown in San Diego County. Emergency eradication action is needed to protect California from the negative economic and environmental impacts the establishment of this pest would cause. The California Department of Food and Agriculture's eradication protocol is based on an Action Plan developed in consultation with the Pest Prevention Committee of the California Agricultural Commissioner's Association, United States Department of Agriculture and scientists on an advisory panel. Treatment Plan for MDFF in San Diego County: . Foliar bait treatments are applied from the ground. The foliage of all host trees and plants within a 200-meter radius of the detection site are treated. The 'spray is an organic formulation of spinosad. Visit the CDFA website to learn more about the treatment process at http://www.cdfa.ca.qov/phpps/videos/spinosad/. . The standard treatment technique for the MDFF is the sterile insect technique. This method relies on the flooding ofthe area with sterile MDFF. When the sterile males mate with wild females, no offspring are produced. Gradually, the wild fly population decreases, while the sterile fly population increases through continued release. When wild flies can find only sterile flies with which to mate, the wild population becomes extinct. . Larval survey will occur up to 200-meters around any property where MDFF are trapped to determine if other stages are present. If MDFF larvae are present, fruit from the infested property and up to 1 OO-meters around the find site will be removed and taken for disposal under regulatory compliance. Public Notification: Affected properties are notified in writing at least 24 hours prior to treatment. Following the treatment, completion notices are left with the homeowners detailing precautions to take and post-harvest intervals applicable to any fruit on the property. Treatments are repeated every seven to 14 days for one life cycle. Enclosed is the Proclamation of an Eradication Project, the work plan, host list and a map of the treatment area. This eradication project will continue for three life cycles past the date of the last MDFF trapped. If no additional MDFF are detected, the MDFF will be declared eradicated. MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY IMPERIAL BEACH, SAN DIEGO COUNTY 2009 ~\ \ I II ~ . j: ~ ; \1 - , ~ ~-!~Q]~_~I-JG'_' ,"" ~ " - c( -Cj 8 J I L'r~- ! \ \ ImRerlal Be~ l_._ ...... .."~:.. i IMAGINARY LINE COASTLINE OF CALIFORNIA @.11713189732.558674 , . --- """ -- ~ .'L,=~~~~=" "1 ,.~~,- ~!.~-- ~ "~~J~~, :; ~~~: 'I ~ '.; 1"-~O,,,,,,,,,$I"::NSETA~li'H.__' ~ <~ SUNSET AV I ;:tl @15THST II " I I I. ,.j ~, i cdfa ~ ~ DETECTION SITE -H'~ ERADICATION BOUNDARY PEST PROFILE Common Name: Mediterranean Fruit Fly Scientific Name: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) Order and Family: Diptera, Tephritidae Description: The Mediterranean fruit fly is slightly smaller than a housefly with an average length of 3.5-5.0 mm. The adult has a predominantly dark body with two white bands on the yellowish abdomen. The wings have brown, yellow, black, and white markings. The female has a pointed, slender ovipositor to deposit eggs beneath the skin of the host fruit. The larvae is a legless maggot, creamy white in color, and may grow to a length of 0.4 inch within the host fruit. Historv and Economic Importance: The Mediterranean fruit fly was first discovered in the Hawaiian Islands in 1910. With an abundant supply of host fruit in which to lay its eggs, the fly multiplied rapidly, seriously reducing the yield and quality of many crops such as mango, guava, avocado, papaya, coffee, peach, and persimmon. A great number of crops in California would be threatened by the introduction of this pest including; apricot, avocado, grapefruit, nectarine, orange, peach, and cherry. It has been estimated that the permanent presence of this pest in California would result in yearly losses of over $205 million in crop damages, additional pesticide use, and quarantine requirements. This pest has been introduced periodically in the State since 1975. All previous infestations have been eradicated in California. Distribution: The Mediterranean fruit fly is widespread throughout Australia, Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. Its distribution in the United States is restricted to the Hawaiian Isiands. Life Cvcle: A female lays eggs in groups of one to six eggs within the fruit, and may lay as many as 1,200 eggs in her lifetime. The larvae tunnel through the fruit feeding on the pulp, shed their skins twice, and emerge through exit holes in seven to 24 days. The mature larvae drop from the fruit and burrow beneath the soil to pupate. In eight to 46 days, the adults emerge from these puparia. The newly emerged adults require from four to 10 days to mature prior to egg-iaying. Breeding is continuous, with several annual generations. The average life span of the adult is about 30 days. Under optimum conditions the entire life cycle may be completed in 30 days, but requires longer time intervals at lower temperatures. Host and Damaqe: The Mediterranean fruit fly has been recorded infesting over 250 different types of fruits and vegetables. Fruit that has been attacked may be unfit to eat; larvae tunnel through the fiesh as they feed. Decay organisms enter, leaving the interior of the fruit a rotten mass. Partial Host List COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Akee Almond with husk Apple Apricot Argan tree Avocado Barbados cherry Bourbon orange Calamondin orange Canistel Ceylon-gooseberry Chanar Cherimoya Cherry (sweet and sour) Citrus citron Coffee Custard apple Date Dwarf papaya Fig Gourka Grape Grapefruit Guava Hawthorn Hog plum Japanese persimmon Bliqhia sapid a Prunus dulcis = (P. amvqdalus) Malus svlvestris Prunus armeniaca Arqania sideroxvlon = (6. spinosa) Persea americana Malpiqhia qlabra and M. punicifolia Ochrosia elliptica Citrus mitis Pouteria campechiana Dovvalis hebecarpa Geoffroea decorticans Annona cherimola Prunus avium, E. cerasus Citrus medica Coffea arabica Annona reticulata Phoenix dactvlifera Carica quercifolia Ficus carica Garcinia xanthochvmus Vitis vinifera Citrus paradisi Psidium quaiava Crataequs spp. Spondias mom bin Diospvros khaki COMMON NAME Japanese plum Jocote Kei apple Kiwi Kumquat Lemon (except commercially grown Eureka, Lisbon, and Villa Franca cultivars) Lime Litchi Longan Loquat Mandarin orange (tangerine) Mango Mock orange Mombin Mountain apple Natal plum Nectarine Olive Opuntia cactus Papaya Passion fruit Peach Pear Pepper Pineapple guava Plum Pomegranate SCIENTIFIC NAME Prunus salicina Spondias purourea Dovvalis caffra Actinidia chinensis Fortunella iaponica Citrus limon Citrus aurantiifolia Litchi chinensis Euphorbia lonqana Eriobotvra iaponica Citrus reticulata Manqifera indica Murrava exotica Spondias spp. malaccensis Carissa macrocarpa and Terminalia chebula Prunus persica Olea europea Opuntia spp. Carica papaya Passiflora edulis Prunus persica Pvrus communis Capsicum annum and g. frutescens Feiioa sellowiana Prunus americana Punica qranatum COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Pomiform guajava Pond apple Prune Pummelo (Shaddock) Pyriform guajava Quince Rose apple Sapodilla Sour orange Spanish cherry (Brazilian plum) Spanish plum Star apple Strawberry guava Sugar apple Sugarplum Surinam cherry Sweet orange Tomato (pink and red ripe) Tree tomato Tropical Almond Walnut with husk Psidium quaiava 'Pomiform' Annona qlabra Prunus domestica Citrus qrandis Psidium quaiava 'Pyriform' Cydonia spp. Syzyqium iambos = (Euqenia iambos) Manilkara zapota Citrus aurantium Euqenia dombeyi, ~. brasiliensis Spondias mom bin Chrvsophyllum spp. Psidium cattleianum Annona squamosa Arenqa pin nata Euqenia uniflora Citrus sinensis Lycopersicon esculentum Cyphomandra betacea Terminalia catappa Juqlans spp. MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY ERADICATION PROJECT WORK PLAN DETECTION 1. Detection Trapping The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) maintains a cooperative state/county trapping program for the various fruit flies to provide early detection of any infestation in the state. Traps are serviced by county personnel funded by the Department. The program uses Jackson traps baited with trimedlure and the McPhail trap, an invaginated glass flask baited with yeast in water, a food attractant that is attractive to both sexes of the fly. Traps are hung from branches of host trees at specified densities in susceptible areas of California. County or state employees inspect these traps weekly, or bi-weekly, throughout the year in southern California, and from April through November in northern California. 2. Intensive Trapping Intensive trapping is triggered after a single fly is trapped. Following confirmation of the specimen, trap densities in the core square mile(s) are increased within 24 hours. Three types of traps will be used to delimit the infestation and monitor post-treatment populations after sterile medfly releases are completed. Jackson and/or yellow panel traps baited with trimedlure are placed over an 81-square mile area around each fly find in a 100-50-25-20-10 array. Multilure traps are increased to 20 traps per square mile in ,.., ;...;J.he..qore...s.g\J.<;lre.rnj~(s). Additional traps may be added to further delimit,the.infestation and to determine the efficacy of the treatments. Traps in the core are serviced daily for one week following the last fly detected. Traps in the surround eight square miles are serviced every other day following the last fly detected. All traps in the balance of the delimitation zone are serviced weekly following a week of negative trap catches. Traps may be relocated to available preferred hosts as practical. Intensive trapping ends when treatments begin or after the third complete life cycle if no further flies are found. This time period is determined by a temperature dependent developmental model run by Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch personnel in Sacramento. 3. Post-Treatment Monitoring The succ.ess of the eradication program is monitored by intensive trapping levels for one life cycle of the fly after the cessation of eradication activities. If no flies are caught during that time, trap densities return to detection levels. 4. larval Survey Fruit on a property where a fly has been trapped is inspected for possible larval infestation. Small circular oviposition scars are occasionally visible, indicating an infested fruit. In the absence of visible clues, one hundred or more of the fruit of preferred hosts (if available) may be cut open at random and examined for larvae. First and second instar larvae are tiny, and may be feeding immediately under the surface of the skin; therefore, fruit cutting should be left to experienced personnel. Fruit on properties adjacent to a trap catch may also be inspected. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Work Plan Page 2 If two or more flies are trapped in proximity, fruit cutting may be extended to all properties in a 200-meter radius of the finds, concentrating on preferred hosts. Fruit must be inspected within the quarantined area. If larvae are found, it may be deemed necessary to strip host fruit from all properties within a 1 OO-meter radius of the finds. TREATMENT OPTIONS 1. Foliar Spray If a mated female, immature life stages or multiple medflies are detected on a property, the foliage of host shrubs and trees on the infested and adjacent properties is treated within 24 hours with spinosad using hand spray equipment. If the trap catches warrant it necessary, foliar sprays may be extended up to 200-meter radius around an infested property. Treatments are repeated at seven to 14 day intervals, unless significant rainfall justifies retreatment. Treatments will continue for one life cycle past the last fly detected. Any resident whose property will be treated with foliar sprays is notified, in writing, prior to treatment. 2. Sterile Insect Technique This method relies on flooding the infested area with sterile medflies. When the sterile males mate with wild fen'a!es. no 'lffs;.'rin:;J ?ore produced... Gmdual!)', the 'Ni!d fly population decreases, while the sterile fly population increases. through continued release. When wild flies can find only sterile flies with which to mate, the wild population will become extinct. This technique is used after spinosad bait sprays have been utilized to kill existing fertile wild medflies. In order for the technique to succeed, a minimum over-flooding ratio of 100:1 must be maintained. The release area will be nine square miles around each infested site. Release of sterile flies will be continued for at least two life cycles past the last fly find. Multilure and Jackson traps are deployed to monitor the success of the sterile insect release program. The goal is to achieve and maintain a minimum of 100 sterile flies trapped to each wild fly. If this ratio cannot be achieved or maintained, bait sprays will resume to reduce the population of wild flies. In this case, the bait sprays will continue for two life cycles of the medfly. 3. Host Removal If larvae are found, host removal (fruit stripping) may be used in conjunction with other elements of this program. All host fruit from the infested property and up to a 100-meter radius is removed and taken to a landfill for burial. Affected properties are notified in writing at least 24 hours prior to removal of the fruit. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Work Plan Page 3 PUBLIC INFORMATION Public information concerning the medfly project consists of press releases to the media to inform the general public, and direct notification of project developments to concerned local and state political representatives and authorities. Press releases are prepared by the Department's information officer and the county agricultural commissioner, in close coordination with the project management. Either the county agricultural commissioner or the public information officer then serves as the primary contact to the media. Any resident whose property will be treated with pesticide sprays will be notified in writing prior to treatment. t\...,.......~.,-. ~... .... ..- ....... ~.~$;' .,~.,., ..\..~- hIt PROCLAMATION OF AN ERADICATION PROJECT REGARDING THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY On July 30, 2009, a single mated female Mediterranean fruit fly (MDFF) was trapped in the City of Imperial Beach in San Diego County. Based on the evidence presented to me by my staff, the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Science Advisory Panel (MEDSAP), and the trapping and survey data, I have determined that an infestation of this pest exists. The MDFF, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is widespread throughout Australia, Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. Its distribution in the United States is restricted to the Hawaiian Islands where it was discovered in 1910. With an abundant supply of host fruit in which to lay its eggs, the fly multiplied rapidly in Hawaii, seriously reducing the yield and quality of many crops such as mango, guava, avocado, papaya, coffee, peach, and persimmon. Worldwide, the MDFF has been recorded infesting over 250 different types of fruits and vegetables. A great number of crops in California would be threatened by the introduction of this pest including apricot, avocado, grapefruit, nectarine, orange, peach, and cherry. Fruit that has been attacked may be unfit to eat; larvae tunnel through the flesh as they feed. Decay organisms enter, leaving the interior of the fruit a rotten mass. It has been estimated that the permanent presence of this pest in California would result in yearly losses of over $1.3 to $1.8 billion in crop damages, additional pesticide use, and quarantine requirements. This pest has been introduced into the state periodically since 1975. Several infestations have been eradicated previously. As Undersecretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture, I have decided based upon the potential environmental and economic dam,:;ge '.vhi.;h could be iilfiicted by an estai.,lished infestation of the MDFF, that under my statutory authority, it is incumbent on me to attempt to eradicate the MDFF and its life stages from California. This decision to proceed with an eradication program is based upon a realistic evaluation that it may be possible to eradicate the MDFF using currently available technology in the same manner as has been successfully used to eliminate previous infestations. My duties to act, and this decision, are based upon authority set forth in Section 3591.5 of Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, Sections 403, 5001 et seq., and especially 5761-5763 of the Food and Agricultural Code. Following is a listing of the options that I have considered for eradication of this MDFF infestation: 1) Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and 2) ground bait spray. There are also control options that I have considered. They are: 1) biological control; 2) mass trapping; 3) male attractant using bait stations; and 4) host removal. Based upon the advice of the MEDSAP and my professional staff, I am establishing an approximate 14.7 square mile eradication zone. Within that zone I am ordering: 1) the release of sterile MDFF; 2) ground applications of spinosad to all hosts within a 200-meter radius of each detection site; and 3) fruit stripping on all larval properties and on the properties that are adjacent to the infested sites. A description of the options chosen is contained in the work plan . that is attached. In issuing this decision, I have considered pesticidal and non-pesticidal options. I find that no non-pesticidal options exist to effectively eradicate or control the MDFF. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Proclamation August 3, 2009 Page 2 I have determined that these actions are necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code Section (21080) (b)(4). Emergency actions are exempt from CEQA. Consequently, I have determined that it is not necessary to prepare environmental documents for these emergency actions. Notwithstanding the above, and without waiving that provision of law, as a matter of policy in order to afford maximum protection to the environment, and to allow all interested parties to participate, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has prepared and certified two Final Environmental Impact Reports (FEIRs) entitled, "The Exotic Fruit Fly Eradication Program Utilizing Male Annihilation and Allied Methods" and "The Exotic Fruit Fly Eradication Program Using Aerial Application of Malathion and Bait", although these actions are exempt from CEQA as stated above. These FEIRs address the eradication of exotic fruit fly pests at the program level and provide guidance for the conduct of future emergency actions against these pests; they identify feasible alternatives and feasible mitigation measures to be implemented in individual exotic fruit fly pest eradication emergencies. I have, to the extent feasible, incorporated the mitigation measures recommended in both FEIRs. In accordance with Section 21105 of'the Public Resources Code, these FEIRs have been filed with the appropriate local planning agency of all affected cities, counties, or city and county. I find no local conditions that would justify or necessitate preparation of a site-specific plan. Eradication Plan ....-' . ....;...... .,,,....~. ......., ~...... t...... Wl",~' ~j The proposed eradication action is set forth more fully in the attached Mediterranean fruit fly work plan and a map of the treatment area. The proposed eradication area encompasses those portions of San Diego County which fall within an area defined by an approximate radius of 1.5 miles around each property on which an adult fly has been trapped, or on which another life stage of the insect is found to be present. A map of the detection site with eradication boundaries and the proposed eradication work plan are attached. In summary, the work plan will contain the following elements: ';1; a. Delimitation. Three types of traps will be used to delimit the infestation and monitor post-treatment populations after sterile MDFF releases have been completed. Jackson and/or yellow panel traps baited with trimedlure will be placed over an 81-square mile area around each detection site in a 100-50-25-20-10 array. Multilure trap (ML T) density will be increased to 20 traps in the core square mile. Additional traps may be added to further delimit the infestation and to determine the efficacy of treatments. All monitoring traps will be serviced on a regular schedule for a period equal to three fly generations beyond the date of the last fly detected. Traps may be relocated to available preferred hosts as practical. b. Treatment. Ground applications of spinosad may be applied to all properties within a 200-meter radius of each detection site within the eradication area to kill wild MDFF and stop reproduction of the MDFF population. Fruit stripping will also occur on all known larval infested and properties within 100-meters of a larval detection site. Residents in Mediterranean Fruit Fly Proclamation August 3, 2009 Page 3 affected areas will be notified in writing at least 24 hours prior to any insecticidal treatments or fruit removal operations. c. Sterile MDFF will be released over the treatment area. The MEDSAP may be asked to review the situation and make recommendations on the number and type of treatments needed to accomplish eradication. Sensitive Areas The eradication zone has been examined for the location of the threatened and endangered species and their habitats The CDFA will not apply pesticides to undeveloped areas of native vegetation or areas where endangered species or natural habitats exist. All treatments will be applied to residential properties and within urban developments. Public Notification Public information concerning the MDFF project will consist of press releases to the general public. Press releases are prepared by the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner's Office in close coordination with the CDFA. Either the county agricultural commissioner or the pUblic information officer then serves as the primary contact to the media. Any resident whose property will be treated following the determination of a breeding population on or near their property wi!! he notified in writing prior to treatment. .,/ ~/ /./ //' ~~~~ Will Brown, Undersecretary ,/ !i" /)~?' Date . , If you have specific questions related to this program, please contact John Hooper, Program Supervisor at (916) 654-1211. Attachments