Followup: Applebee Aviation, Aerial Spraying and Toxic Exposure

October 18, 2015

In May 2015, OAW reported on media coverage of reckless aerial spraying and pesticide violations by Applebee Aviation. (See Applebee Aviation, Aerial Spraying and Toxic Exposure.) In the five months that have elapsed since May, there have been additional developments:

Two State Agencies Cite Violations and Levy Fines

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported on 10/1/2015 that the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) fined helicopter company Applebee Aviation a combined total of close to $10,000 and suspended the company's license to spray pesticides: Pesticide Spraying Firm Penalized After Chemical-Exposure Incident.

Public Advocates Weigh In

Beyond Toxics is a 501(c)(3) organization that according to their website "works to guarantee environmental protections and health for all communities and residents." The Executive Director of the organization, Lisa Arkin, posted the following 10/5/15 blog on pesticide violations by Applebee Aviation: Oregon agencies cite multiple pesticide violations and levy fines against helicopter company in a worker whistleblower case.

Judge Revokes License

On 10/13/15, Oregon Public Broadcasting posted an article by reporter Tony Schick on aerial spraying of pesticides by Applebee Aviation even after their commercial license to engage in this activity had been suspended due to previous violations: Oregon Judge Grounds Aerial Pesticide Sprayer After It Defies License Suspension.

Punishment Escalates as Sprayer Ignores License Revocation

The 10/15/2015 Oregonian reported that the Oregon Department of Agriculture increased its fine when it saw evidence that Applebee Aviation was ignoring its license suspension: State to timber whistleblower's former employer: Pay up, shut down.

Additional Background

Here is some additional background on the effects of pesticide exposure from an OPB report aired in December 2014: How One Complaint Reveals The Flaws In Oregon's Pesticide Regulation.