Dallas (WBAP/KLIF News) – The war on Zika and West Nile could take to the skies over Dallas County in the near future.
The Dallas City Council will soon take up the issue of aerial spraying for mosquitos. District 14 Councilman Philip Kingston says the County Commission voted 3-0 last week to approve aerial spraying, under certain conditions.
“In the event they determine one of two things,” said Kingston. “That there’s a local mosquito with Zika virus, or a human that got Zika here…a homegrown case.”
Kingston says he opposes aerial spraying because the last time it was used, in 2012, it wasn’t very effective. But it may be a moot point. It’s a public health matter, which means Dallas County doesn’t need the city’s approval.
“The thing that’s interesting about it is that the County doesn’t need to ask our permission at all,” said Kingston. “I got the City Attorney to confirm that if we tell them no, don’t spray, and they decide they want to spray, they can legally do that anyway.”
The Quality of Life Committee voted 4-2 to bring the matter before the full City Council. Kingston and Councilman Mark Clayton were the two no votes. Clayton voiced concerns that the aerial spraying could kill beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
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