06.12.13

Hoeven: Air Force Agrees to Spray Non-Federal Lands for Mosquitoes

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today said the Air Force Reserve Command has at his urging approved local requests to spray for mosquitoes on non-federal lands in western North Dakota, including areas near Williston and Minot. The Air Force Reserve is already spraying federal lands in the area, but it will now also spray the non-federal areas as well. The mosquito abatement efforts are expected to take place at the end of June and in mid-July.

“We’re pleased that the Air Force has agreed to allow the Air Force Reserve’s 910th to spray for mosquitos in our communities,” said Hoeven. “These efforts won’t just rid us of the annoyance of mosquitoes, but will also help with community health and prevent disease like the West Nile Virus. It also serves as a great training mission for the Air Force Reserve’s 910th. This is a win-win situation for our communities and the Air Force.”

Williston, Minot and other communities have agreed to assume the cost of the chemicals, and the Air Force Reserve’s 910th Airlift Wing, based in Ohio, will make the application as part of a training mission under the Innovative Readiness Training program. This program was designed to provide solutions to training and community needs.

Earlier this month, Hoeven teamed up with Senator Rob Portman of Ohio to request a status update on the Reserve’s concerns with the mosquito abatement program on non-federal lands. The Air Force began spraying for mosquitoes on federal lands earlier this month.