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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Epa Takes Over Probe Of Hunters’ Allegations State Says It’s Too Busy To Look Into Claim Of Herbicide Spray

Associated Press

A second federal agency has entered the investigation into allegations that hunters were sprayed with herbicide near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently took over the investigation from the state Department of Agriculture. The Federal Aviation Administration also is investigating the hunters’ claims that they were doused by 2,4-D being applied by a helicopter.

Cliff Weed, pesticide compliance manager for the state Agriculture Department, said his agency turned the investigation over to the EPA because of a heavy workload and legal complexities about how the pesticide was applied.

Directions for applying 2,4-D, approved by the EPA, are ambiguous about its use around water, Weed said.

Such transfers of pesticide investigations have happened before but are “not usual,” Weed said.

John Hough of Bainbridge Island and Rich Holten of Richland complained they were doused with the chemical about two miles east of the nuclear reservation on Nov. 2.

Hough said he became violently ill after being sprayed and has had continuing medical problems since the incident. Holten said he did not become sick.

A third hunter, John Mauk of Redmond, also complained of breathing problems since he was allegedly sprayed with the chemical Nov. 3 about 18 miles southeast of the Hanford reservation.

The switch in investigating agencies came after Hough’s attorney, Mike Patterson, complained that state investigator Mike Byrd was biased against his client.

Byrd declined to comment, but Weed said the case was not transferred to the EPA because of Patterson’s complaint.

“We are capable of conducting a very accurate and truthful investigation,” Weed said.

Hough has filed a $125,000 claim against the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District, which hired a Newberg, Ore., helicopter company to spray the banks of its canals.

Hough said since being sprayed, he has suffered allergic reactions for the first time in his life and cannot tolerate close exposure to wool or cedar boughs used as Christmas decorations.

The district’s board has referred the claim to its attorney and insurance company.

Manager Shannon McDaniel has confirmed that Precision Helicopter Co. was spraying the weed-killing chemical in the area where the hunters said they were doused.

He declined to comment on Hough’s claim, but said the district’s weed control program is “effective and well-managed.”

Michael Gunn, an attorney representing Precision Helicopters, said the company denies spraying anyone. The aircraft “went out of its way to not spray where the hunters were.”