Al6—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 4,1983
HARRIBURG The Penn
sylania Public Utilities Com
mission has voted, in a two to one
decision, to lift their ban off West
Penn Power Company’s aerial
spraying of power line right of
ways in southwestern Penn
sylvania and to accept guidelines
for future spraying agreed upon by
the utility. State Department of
Agriculture, Pennsylvania Con
sumer Advocate and Pennsylvania
State Grange.
The only dissenting vote came
from Commissioner Michael
Johnson, who said he felt the ban
should be continued and additional
hearings held. Johnson said he
could not support the recom
mendations of the parties because
of the “human risks involved in
aerial spraying”.
The agreement reached upon by
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FOR FARM-HOME-INDUSTRY
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PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC.
Hardware • Farm Supplies
Custom Manufacturing • Crane Service
Box 128, R.D. #4, Lititz, PA 17543
Wood Corner Rd., 1 Mile West of Ephrata
Phone: 717-738-1121
PUC lifts aerial spraying ban
the parties and adopted by the
PUC includes a requirement for
advance notification to the public
and to all affected property owners
of the utility’s intent to spray, and
safety distances from sensitive
areas, such as homes and lawns,
bodies of water, pastureland and
playgrounds. The agreement also
includes a provision for affected
landowners to reject aerial
spraying and enter into a lan
downer maintenance agreement
with the utility to clear their own
land. The utility would reimburse
the landowner at a rate equal to the
utility’s avoided cost of aerial
spraying minus the utility’s cost
for advance notification. In turn,
the landowner agrees to exempt
the utility from all liability for said
area.
The Pennsylvania State Grange
became involved in the
negotiations as a rural farm
organization representing many of
the landowners affected by the
aerial spraying in
Fayette County. Landowners
complained that spraying was
being conducted despite their
objections, and was, in some cases,
performed carelessly in populated
areas where young children were
playing, and over ponds, wells and
gardens. The Grange testified as a
witness for the Pennsylvania
Consumer Advocate in PUC
hearings held in January, ad
vocating the right of landowners to
maintain their own right of ways.
At the directum °f PUC Ad- Department of Agriculture, met on
mmistrative Law Judge Joseph several occasions to work out a
Matuschak, who presided over the settlement, resulting in the
hearings, the Grange, Consumer guidelines adopted by the PUC.
Advocate. West Penn Power, and *
Del. Holstein Show
NEWARK, DE The 1983 a.m. All cattle for the show should
Delaware Holstein Show is be on the grounds at 10 a.m. and be
scheduled to take place Thursday, available for registration checks.
June 16, at the Delaware State Lunch will be available on the
Fairgrounds in Harrington. The grounds for exhibitions and
show will begin promptly at 11 spectators.