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RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTROLLING DEER POPULATION AND REDUCING LYME DISEASE

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease affects people in many parts of the State and causes significant physical and neurological impairment and has reached near epidemic proportions in some communities; and

WHEREAS, Lyme Disease is transmitted by deer ticks; and,

WHEREAS, Deer populations are rampant in many areas of the State, and deer are not only vectors for Lyme Disease but also cause damage to agricultural crops, residential gardens and planting, and other vegetation; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island does not have an effective or coordinated strategy for reducing or controlling deer populations and the incidence of Lyme Disease; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management to develop a strategy and recommendations for controlling deer populations and reducing Lyme Disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management shall provide opportunity for local communities to participate in the development of said strategies and recommendations, which will take into account local conditions and local concerns; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management shall report their findings and proposals concerning the strategies and recommendations to the Rhode Island Senate on or before January 15, 2002; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the director of the Department of Health and the director of Environmental Management.