Valley Agronomics pays $144,400 EPA penalty for unsafe storage of pesticides
Company cited for Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Valley Agronomics, LLC of Greenleaf, Idaho agreed to pay a $144,400 penalty for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
During a September 2019 inspection, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture found the company had violated important pesticides storage requirements meant to prevent accidental releases.
The Pesticide Container and Containment Rule under FIFRA requires all stationary pesticide containers to be resistant to extreme temperature changes and constructed of materials of adequate thickness to resist cracking and withstand operating stresses. The law also requires secondary containment structures to be constructed of rigid materials, and liquid-tight with cracks, seams, and joints appropriately sealed.
“Pesticide facilities have an obligation to ensure their products are safely stored to prevent dangerous exposure to employees and surrounding communities”, said Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “In a case of an accidental release, these chemicals could affect people’s health and harm the environment. When companies comply with environmental regulations, they’re better equipped to prevent and safely handle any potential release.”
Details of the alleged violations EPA documented at Valley Agronomics are found in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.