EPA reaches settlement with local rancher over pesticide violations

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Story Published: Dec 12, 2006 at 6:37 PM PST

Story Updated: Dec 12, 2006 at 6:37 PM PST

Lapwai - The EPA has reached a settlement with a local rancher who the EPA says allowed herbicide to drift off a target site, onto neighboring trees and shrubs.

The EPA said Monday that Larry Boyer Land and Cattle has agreed to pay over $700 as a settlement for two alleged violations of federal pesticide rules on Nez Perce Indian Reservation land.

The EPA said it had previously issued a warning letter for a drift incident involving Boyer in 2001.

According to the EPA, in July of 2005, the violations occurred following Boyer's aerial application of two herbicides to fields on the reservation. The resulting drift impacted trees and shrubs on neighboring property. The pesticide labels contain instructions prohibiting drift onto desirable ornamental plants and vegetation.

The EPA said Boyer avoided a more substantial fine by taking measures to prevent the drift, including spraying the perimeter of the target field in advance of the aerial application with a ground sprayer and by trying to avoid poor weather conditions. Boyer also compensated the neighboring property owner for plant damage.

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