Statement by Regional Administrator Josh F.W. Cook on the Siskiyou County Illegal Pesticides Crisis
SAN FRANCISCO (July 17, 2025) -- EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Josh F.W. Cook issued the following statement today regarding the ongoing illegal pesticides crisis in California’s Siskiyou County.
Statement by Regional Administrator Cook:
I have received correspondence from the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors. They have declared a State of Emergency related to illegal importation, distribution, and burning of foreign-manufactured pesticides and chemicals as part of in international criminal enterprise.
I take this very seriously; I have directed Region 9 EPA law enforcement to investigate these issues immediately. We will be working with other County, State and Federal agencies to ensure Californians are protected and our environmental laws are upheld.