
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 28, 1994                   TAG: 9403280044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EPA FUNDS PESTICIDE CLEANUP

The Virginia Department of Agriculture has received money from the Environmental Protection Agency to help clean up farms that may contain unused or outdated pesticides.

The Pesticide Disposal Program is a way for farmers in 21 counties and the city of Lynchburg to dispose of these chemicals free of charge. Ordinarily, it costs $800 to dispose of a 5-gallon container of pesticide, and up to $1,500 to get rid of a 55-gallon barrel.

There will be no fines or penalties for disposing of unused or illegal chemicals, Carroll County Extension Agent Gary Larrowe said.

Clean Harbors, a Virginia toxic-waste disposal company, has been hired to help with the disposal program. The company, along with a Department of Agriculture inspector, will pick up and test each chemical beginning in June.

The counties in this year's regional disposal program are Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bedford, Carroll, Charles City, Culpeper, Fauquier, Floyd, Franklin, Greensville, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, Montgomery, New Kent, Pittsylvania, Prince George, Pulaski, Roanoke and Sussex.

For further information on the collection schedule, call the county extension agent.

by CNB