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PD/GWSS Board Funds Critical GWSS Survey and Inspection Activities Statewide
The PD/GWSS Board earmarked $850,000 as a one-time funding strategy for glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) survey and inspection activities conducted by counties statewide. Without the additional funding, the Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP) would have to reduce funding to the counties, decreasing vital GWSS surveying and inspections, which are essential to slow the spread of GWSS and minimize the impact of Pierce’s disease throughout California.
“The Board recognized the importance of maintaining these surveys and inspections as part of the larger statewide effort to keep PD and GWSS in check. Last year’s larger-than-expected harvest, combined with funding previously set aside for county backfill, allowed us to provide this important one-time funding,” said Randy Heinzen, PD/GWSS Board Chair.
The PDCP provides much-needed protection to the state’s valuable wine and grape industry with five core strategies: contain the spread, statewide survey and detection, rapid response, outreach, and research. The PDCP continues to face financial challenges as annual federal funding hasn’t increased since 2015 and annual state funding ceased altogether in 2011. To keep essential prevention activities in place, the Board has increased its ongoing support to PDCP over the years to support county activities including urban and nursery treatments, delimitation responses, and trapping.
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