Air Ag LLC fined for pesticide-use violation

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued fines totaling $13,325 and imposed license suspensions during the third quarter of 2011 for violations of state pesticide laws and rules. Fines ranged from $200 to $3,575 for incidents that occurred in Adams, Benton, Douglas, Franklin, Pierce and Skagit Counties.

Among the concluded cases was an incident involving Craig Smith of Air Ag LLC, Warden.

WSDA alleged that in May 2010, a herbicide application made by Smith to a winter wheat field in Adams County drifted onto a neighboring residence and damaged the ornamental landscape. The...