Mosquito-abatement and workforce program proposed for state correctional facility

Senator Luz Escamilla and Dr. Michelle Rabine, education specialist with the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, described an integrated mosquito-management pilot at the Utah State Correctional Facility.

Dr. Rabine said the correctional facility falls within the district's jurisdiction since it opened in 2022 and that wetland habitat near the site produces high mosquito-biting pressure. The project pairs surveillance and monitoring with biological control using the native least chub fish (a Utah species of conservation concern) reared in greenhouse tanks managed with support from correctional-facility staff, and will provide internships for local college students and training/workforce-development opportunities for incarcerated participants.

The presenters said the proposal addresses public-health risk (e.g., West Nile virus surveillance), reduces nuisance-biting for staff and residents, and helps sustain a native-species conservation/biocontrol effort. Requested funds would cover intern compensation, supplies and personal protective equipment to sustain the pilot; no large capital ask was presented. The committee had no substantive objections in the hearing and requested clarifications about local cost-sharing; presenters said the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District is the primary implementing entity and will coordinate with Division of Wildlife Resources.

Next steps: committee members may request a cost breakdown and an implementation timeline; presenters indicated readiness to provide further details.