Have had a visit this morning from the state ag department. And here's the info you need to know.

There are no regulations to control the height a plane doing air spraying must be over a residence. There is no regulation about distance from a residence. Usually the pilot wisely leaves a buffer zone to protect from drift. The damage in my yard is definitely drift.

The state guy said that there are some chemicals that are used that will not show up in chemical testing as early as a handful of days after spraying. SO it is very important that if you think you may have drift, you immediately get pictures so that you have the "before" view. Then it is important that you contact the state and have them come out and take pictures once the damage is seen. The state guy's pictures, measurements, etc. is what is of primary importance to claim damage...not the testing. Important info to know folks!

Its almost depressing to know that besides having to compromise and work hard with mother nature during droughts and freezes and all, there are these strange man-made disasters that can befall us.

The fact that there do not seem to be proper safeguards is so scary...bad enough to lose a garden (I'd be devastated) but what about if you or your children or pets were outside? That stuff can be really dangerous.

Hope you have by now been able to learn exactly what was sprayed and how to compensate for it in your garden. And speaking of compensation, surely you can expect the farmer to pay for your loss including any labor involved to replace your mulch, etc. and plants.

Please post again when you have time...I'm so sorry this has happened...but letting others know about it just might have a good effect in getting regulations strengthened.

josh

Years ago when my children were small, the county truck came by spraying for mosquitoes. We were walking on the road and got off as far as we could but the truck just sprayed over us. Two things:1)The state has few regulations about chemical use and/or application 2) The state does not enforce what regulations exist.
Stand up people! Alabamians deserve the same environmental protections other places have.

Someone came by while I was at work and sprayed weedkiller along the sides of our road, killing everything within about 10 ft. of the pavement, under the power lines. I'd like to know who did this and what chemical they used.

Susan.