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Sierra Club Lawsuits

Maine’s Waters Safer with Halt of Aerial Spraying

Case Updates:

October 7, 2004

Maine’s largest blueberry grower has agreed to stop aerial spraying of pesticides in response to a potential lawsuit by Sierra Club and local coalition partners. The Club and its allies notified Cherryfield Foods in August of their intent to bring a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act after a study by the Board of Pesticide Control showed evidence of insecticides and fungicides used during blueberry production polluting the Pleasant River and other surrounding lakes and streams. If Cherryfield Foods had been found at fault during a court case, they would have faced penalties of up to $32,500 per day for violating the Clean Water Act. Considering that Cherryfield manages about 20,000 acres of blueberries per year and accounts for nearly 50% of Maine’s total harvest, the decision to stop spraying is a great step towards protecting the health of Maine’s communities and natural habitats.

Details and Documents:

Berry grower to halt aerial spraying of pesticides
October 5, 2004, by Justin Ellis, Portland Press Herald

Cherryfield will no longer participate in aerial spraying
October 5, 2004, Associated Press