Company to Pay in Poisoning of Birds
A vineyard management company has agreed to pay $67,000 to settle a case that arose after 400 birds died from pesticide poisoning in the Alexander Valley last fall.
Sonoma County prosecutors negotiated the settlement with Lodi-based Vino Farms Inc., which managed the vineyard.
Under the settlement--filed Thursday in county Superior Court--Vino Farms will give $15,000 to the Santa Rosa Bird Rescue Center and will cover costs incurred by state and local water and wildlife officials.
Vino Farms has also agreed to new procedures for using the pesticide Nemacur, which was blamed for the bird deaths.
Its use had been suspended in Sonoma County, but resumed Wednesday under new, stricter guidelines.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
