Melick's Orchard was built in the 1980's next to existing homes that border the orchard on three sides. There is one home with children located in the orchard. The South Branch of the Raritan River borders the orchard on the fourth side.
Federal law prohibits the drifting of pesticides, but the proximity of homes and the prevailing south westerly winds make it impossible to prevent spray and volatilization drift.
Stormwater runoff from the orchard accumulates in the south eastern corner of the orchard and flows into drains that lead directly to the nearby river. Many of the pesticides are long term runoff risks and extremely toxic to aquatic life.
This location was never suitable for a pesticide spraying orchard and the spraying should be stopped immediately.
The NJDEP has responsibility for enforcement of pesticide laws and they have failed to uphold the law. If the NJDEP had sampled when notified, the pesticide drift would have stopped years ago.
The picture shows how close the homes in Lebanon Township and Califon are to the southern border of the orchard. The Califon Public School is located at the bottom center of the picture.
Federal law prohibits the drifting of pesticides, but the proximity of homes and the prevailing south westerly winds make it impossible to prevent spray and volatilization drift.
Stormwater runoff from the orchard accumulates in the south eastern corner of the orchard and flows into drains that lead directly to the nearby river. Many of the pesticides are long term runoff risks and extremely toxic to aquatic life.
This location was never suitable for a pesticide spraying orchard and the spraying should be stopped immediately.
The NJDEP has responsibility for enforcement of pesticide laws and they have failed to uphold the law. If the NJDEP had sampled when notified, the pesticide drift would have stopped years ago.
The picture shows how close the homes in Lebanon Township and Califon are to the southern border of the orchard. The Califon Public School is located at the bottom center of the picture.
Melick's Orchard has a history of drifting pesticides.
Listed below are the dates of confirmed pesticide drift. The NJDEP was notified and should have sampled on every date followed by *, but only sampled on 09/07/2009 and 07/25/2013. On both dates they found pesticide drift.
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Nothing can undo the years of damage that have already taken place.