§ 23-7-2 - Declaration of policy.
SECTION 23-7-2
§ 23-7-2 Declaration of policy. – Mosquitoes in Rhode Island do not pose a routine threat to the public health.There has rarely, if ever, been a case of mosquito-transmitted viralencephalitis recorded in this state. Mosquitoes are recognized to be a nuisanceproblem to the residents of this state. Specifically, it is declared to be thepolicy of the state that:
(1) Since large amounts of money have been spent by someindividual cities and towns on mosquito control programs that have beenineffective, a combined effort by contiguous municipalities would be moreeconomical and beneficial.
(2) The environment surrounding the areas within whichmosquitoes live and breed shall remain in such condition that it will continueto sustain the full range of natural plant and animal life characteristic ofthat area while providing relief from that nuisance.
(3) Unwarranted and sometimes excessive spraying canirreversibly damage the environment. For this reason, pesticide use must beminimized.
(4) Water-level management is presently the best type ofprogram suited for most areas of this state.
(5) Mosquito abatement programs should be accompanied by apublic education campaign emphasizing individual citizen's action for home andyard relief.