Kansas Communities File Suit Against Popular Herbicide

By Cliff Judy (HARVEY COUNTY, Kan.)

While some say they want the maker of a popular weed killer to pay, local farmers say taking away the herbicide Atrazine would cost more in the end.

Corn and milo growers have used Atrazine for a half century, but six communities in Kansas are part of a national lawsuit against its maker, Syngenta.

The EPA monitors Atrazine levels because high levels of the chemical can contaminate groundwater.  Environmentalists worry the contamination could be harmful in drinking water.

Local extension agents say better field management practices have lowered Atrazine runoff levels significantly since 2006.  Local growers can get paid for practices like spraying the chemical before April 15 and the spring rainy season hits.

Rick Schlender helps educate local farmers about the management practices.  He says trying to replace Atrazine with other chemicals could be costly.

"Also, I think there would be a drop in our control, so we won't have the weed control we have now with it," says Schlender.  "It would be a very costly problem for the farmers."

Since 2006, Schlender says annual atrazine levels in local watersheds with better management practices dropped by 66% (2006), 40% (2007), 65% (2008), and 51% (2009).

The EPA says treated water can't exceed annual levels of three parts atrazine per billion.  While some water systems in Kansas have briefly spiked above that level, the EPA stats show none held it for a yearlong average.

Marion, Dodge City, Plains, Carbondale, and a water district in Miami County are part of the national lawsuit against the maker of Atrazine.  The communities want Syngenta to pay to cover the expense of treating water for Atrazine.