Downey : Compromise Worked Out to Allow Pesticide Storage

The Downey City Council on Tuesday gave final approval to a compromise agreement that will allow the county to store thousands of pounds of pesticides in a new warehouse near the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Garfield Avenue.

The County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the agreement in coming weeks. The city would then drop its lawsuit against the county, which was filed last December.

For months, Downey officials have opposed the county’s plans to store pesticides at the facility, which is near residential neighborhoods.

Of special concern were plans to fumigate the stored squirrel bait--poison-laden grain that can become infested with insects. Small amounts of poisonous gas are vented into the air after such fumigations.

Under the compromise, the county would fumigate only if the air-conditioning at the facility failed. Insects could breed in the grain if the temperature in the storage bin rises above the low-50s.

The county plans to store nine pesticides at the facility, including 9,500 pounds of squirrel bait.