Olin resident urges crop dusting warning system

     A resident of Olin voiced her concerns during the Aug. 14 Jones County Supervisor meeting regarding crop dusting in Jones County.

     Kathy Smith asked the Board of Supervisors if something could be implemented as far as a warning system to notify people ahead of time when crop dusters/airplanes are in the area.

     “Without warning they spray and leave,” she said, in her opinion, not concerned about where the pesticide lands.

     Smith contacted the Iowa Department of Agriculture, but said the person she spoke with as “stand-offish and very reserved” in regards to information on the matter.

     “They told me they’ve stiffened up on regulations,” she said of the conversation with the Department of Ag. “What good does that do to people on the ground?”

     Smith said the day a crop duster sprayed a cornfield within Olin city limits was a particular windy day. She had her windows open and saw children playing outside in the immediate area.

     “That’s a big issue,” she said. “And there was no warning that people were about to get doused.

     Spray does not settle; it drifts,” added Smith.

     She urged the supervisors to look into some type of warning system saying, “You oversee the county and the people. The people aren’t being taken care of. It’s not honorable, righteous or just.”

     Smith said if people can receive text messages or notifications on their cell phones regarding pending storms or Amber Alerts, surely a warning could be sent out before a crop duster is in the area.

     “You need to warn the people to get indoors and protect themselves,” she said. “At least warn the people!”

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder commented that there is a demand for crop dusters in Jones County with a large farming community.

     “I’m not sure there is any way to know their schedule or of the capabilities to know when they’re going to be in the area,” said Rohwedder of prior warning. “It could depend on the weather.”

     Smith said it’s not just to put crops before people.

     She said she’s talked to many people in the Olin community, including farmers, who are battling cancer. “Where do you think it comes from?” she asked. “You know it’s the pesticides. It’s not right.”

     Rohwedder said crop dusters fly over rural farmsteads all the time. “People are just used to it,” he said. “They’ve become complacent.”

     “I spoke to some residents and they’re furious,” countered Smith.

     The board told Smith there was nothing that could be done at the county level regarding a warning system for crop dusting. However, Rohwedder said he would bring the issue to the attention of the ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) during the Aug. 22-24 conference. The supervisors also urged Smith to contact her local state legislators.

     “This issue may be bigger than this level,” said Supervisor Joe Oswald.

     Supervisor Jon Zirkelbach said he contacted CPS on the issue and they had not received any complaints regarding their operation.

     “I can’t let this rest,” Smith concluded. “I can’t turn my head to it.”