Residents and advocates urge stronger response to pesticide drift complaints in Grayson

John Mataka, a Grayson Neighborhood Council member and Valley Improvement Projects community advocate, used public comment on July 14 to describe multiple pesticide‑drift incidents near his home and schools, and urged stronger enforcement and prevention measures.

Mataka said he filed reports after pesticides landed on his vehicle and later on his yard, and that the ag commissioner investigated and took samples. He also said he received an unsolicited phone call after cooperating with investigators and expressed concern about privacy and safety during investigations.

"Pesticide drift is illegal," Mataka said, noting both residential incidents and a prior school incident that he said sickened children and workers and prompted corrective action. He asked the county to support farmers' access to sustainable practices and to consider vegetative barriers and other mitigation measures to protect residents and schools.

Bianca Lopez of Valley Improvement Projects and the Latino Community Roundtable urged board training on residents’ rights during investigations and asked that future sheriff reports and community meetings be held in neighborhoods affected by pesticide incidents, with Spanish interpretation and nonuniform presenters to improve community comfort and participation.

County staff present acknowledged the ag commissioner has responded to complaints and that state agencies may be involved in investigations; no additional county enforcement actions were announced at the meeting.