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Agriculture Department issues fines for pesticide or fertilizer violations in 5 counties

OLYMPIA – During the second quarter of 2007, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued fines totaling $7,467 against businesses and individuals that violated state pesticide laws and rules. Fines ranged from $117 to $4,800 for violations that included distributing unregistered pesticides, allowing a herbicide to drift causing damage to nearby crops, operating without a necessary license, and distributing fertilizers that were deficient in nutrients. In addition, a pesticide applicator’s license was temporarily suspended.

WSDA completed investigations in Chelan, Franklin, Pierce, Snohomish and Walla Walla counties and issued fines or license suspensions in the following cases:

• Michael Cramer, Mike’s Absolute Mole Control, Tacoma. WSDA alleged that in early 2007 Cramer operated his mole control business without having the necessary WSDA commercial applicator license. The matter was resolved when Cramer agreed to pay $1,200.

• Amar Grewal, RepelleX Lawn and Garden Products, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. WSDA issued Grewal a warning earlier this year that the agency would revoke the registration of the firm’s animal repellent products. Grewal had failed to pay a previous fine for distributing unregistered products in Washington. WSDA did not suspend the product registrations after Grewal agreed pay $4,800 of the initial penalty that was levied in 2006. The remainder of the original penalty was suspended for two years contingent on Grewal's compliance with state laws and rules.

• Shawn Lipp, Appleland Pest Control & Home Inspections, East Wenatchee. WSDA alleged that Lipp conducted a wood destroying organism inspection in July 2006 without a license from WSDA. The matter was resolved when Lipp agreed to pay $450.

• James Middleton, Pasco, was fined $450 and his private applicator license was suspended for seven days. Middleton was making a herbicide application to his asparagus crop in June 2006 when he permitted the spray to drift onto a neighboring seed corn field. The corn was damaged.

• Wolfkill Feed and Fertilizer, Monroe, was fined $117 for distributing a nutrient-deficient fertilizer. WSDA sampled the fertilizer in March.

• Kevin Young, Walla Walla. WSDA alleged that Young failed to submit pesticide application records last December when requested by WSDA. The matter was resolved when Young agreed to pay $450.

WSDA enforces state and federal laws to protect people, property and the environment against the improper use of pesticides. To file a complaint involving the misuse of a pesticide, or to find out if a pesticide applicator or structural pest inspector is licensed, call (877) 301-4555.