Letters to retailers: Urban pesticide warning

Below are two sample letters that readers can send to retailers regarding the urban pesticide warnings. One can be sent to store managers; the other can be sent to Chief Executive Officers. Download the signs (PDF) from Washington Toxics Coalition.

Letter to store manager

Dear Store Manager:

I recently learned that your store sells certain pesticides that can harm salmon that already are facing extinction. In 2004, a federal court ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to supply urban pesticide retailers with point-of-sale warnings informing consumers of the harm these pesticides pose to protected salmon. In 2006, EPA sent your company copies of the court-approved warning and requirements of the order.

According to the federal court order, every store that 1) sells products containing the pesticides carbaryl, 2,4-dichlorophenoaxyacetic acid (“2,4-D”), diazinon, diuron, malathion, triclopyr BEE, or trifluralin, and 2) is in an urban area with a population of at least 50,000 people within the geographic range of federally listed salmon or steelhead in Washington, Oregon and California, must post the salmon hazard warnings. The warning should be posted prominently near the pesticide products for sale.

Please inform your company and staff that you must comply with the court order by displaying the salmon hazard warning prominently. Details on the scope of the order and copies of the warning graphic are available at www.pesticide.org/ESAretailers.html.

Sincerely,

Letter to Chief Executive Officer (See CEO contact info below)

Re: Failure to Display Court-Ordered Warning about Harmful Pesticides

Dear Chief Executive Officer:

I recently learned that your stores sell certain pesticides that can harm salmon that are already facing extinction.  In 2004, a federal court ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to supply urban pesticide retailers with point-of-sale warnings informing consumers of the harm that these pesticides pose to protected salmon.  In 2006, EPA sent your company copies of the court-approved warning (reprinted below) along with a description of the requirements of the order.  It is my understanding that your stores have not displayed these required warnings.

According to the court order, every store that (1) sells products containing the pesticides carbaryl, 2,4-dichlorophenoaxyacetic acid (“2,4-D”), diazinon, diuron, malathion, triclopyr BEE, or trifluralin, and (2) is in an urban area with a population of at least 50,000 people within the geographic range of federally listed salmon or steelhead in Washington, Oregon, and California, must post the salmon hazard warnings.  The warning should be prominently posted in such stores near where the pesticide products are displayed for sale.

I urge you to inform your store managers that they must comply with the court order by prominently displaying the salmon hazard warning.  More details regarding the scope of the order, along with additional copies of the warning graphic, are available at www.pesticide.org/ESAretailers.html.

Sincerely,

Bi-Mart
Rich Truett 220 Seneca Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402
770-433-8211

Costco
Jim Sinetal
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-313-8100

Home Depot
Frank Blake
2455 Paces Ferry Road N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30339
800-654-0688

Jerry's Home Improvement
Dennis Orem
PO Box 2611
Eugene, OR 97402
541-689-7848

K-Mart
Acting CEO
K-Mart Resource Center
3100 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084
847-286-2500

Kroger/Fred Meyer
David Dillon
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-762-4020

Lowe's Robert Niblock
Lowe's Companies Inc.
PO Box 1111
North Wilkesboro, NC 28656
800-445-6937

True Value Hardware
Lyle Heidemann
True Value Company
8600 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631-3505
773-695-5424

Wal-Mart
Lee Scott
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
702 Southwest 8th Street
Bentonville AR, 72716
479-273-4000