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Residents press for monthly, location-specific pesticide disclosures after alleged heavy spraying
Summary
Public commenters urged the Oak Park MAC to press Ventura County and the Agricultural Commissioner for transparent monthly reports of pesticide names, amounts and application locations after concerns that heavy non‑agricultural spraying is exposing residents and waterways.
Public commenters at the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council meeting on Oct. 30 urged county officials to require far more transparency about pesticide use in the unincorporated community. "These chemicals go into the water cycle, down the watershed and out to the Pacific Ocean," said Deena Parry, a medical professional, who asked the County and the Agricultural Commissioner to publish monthly reports showing names, amounts and exact locations of pesticide applications.
Another attendee, Steven Kozel, said the volume of pesticide use in non‑agricultural areas is alarming and cited a countywide figure of "over 200,000 oz" applied in urban areas, calling some of the products carcinogens. MAC members and speakers noted that current Agricultural Commissioner reporting does not routinely include location‑level detail for non‑agricultural applications. Council Chair Brian Trushinski said it would be appropriate to invite the Agricultural Commissioner's Office to present at a future MAC meeting so residents can ask questions directly.
MAC member Ashley Bautista suggested the Supervisor's Office or the Agricultural Commissioner be asked to report back, and some members discussed whether the CSA 4 contract with Mariposa Landscapes Inc. could be amended to require more descriptive monthly reporting of use and locations. The Council did not adopt formal policy at the Oct. 30 meeting but directed that the question of a presentation and potential contract language be pursued at a future meeting.
