The Washington State Department of Agriculture has obtained a court order that prohibits a long-time aerial applicator from performing further commercial pesticide work without a license. The injunction was issued Dec. 5 by Grant County Superior Court.

Operating Pearson Aircraft in several states, Phil M. Pearson often has worked out of the Wilson Creek Airport in Grant County.

WSDA assessed an $1,800 penalty against Pearson this past summer for applying pesticides without a license and he owes several thousand dollars as a result of fines levied in the 1990s for violations of state pesticide law.

According to WSDA, Pearson has not had a license to apply pesticides commercially in this state since 1996. Agency investigators, however, are aware of aerial spraying Pearson has done this past year for controlling weeds in wheat and other crops.

Pearson has failed to respond to attempts to negotiate fines or to participate in an administrative hearing to explain his actions. WSDA states that if Pearson continues to do business in Washington, he is subject to contempt of court sanctions, including fines and imprisonment.

WSDA enforces state and federal laws to protect people, property, and the environment against the improper use of pesticides, including those operating without a license.

FMI: http://agr.wa.gov/