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The Farmer in the Deal by Ron Arnold Seattle Times - February 2, 2004

I'm certain that U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour had the best of intentions when he banned 38 pesticides from being sprayed near streams and rivers in the Northwest ("Pesticides restricted to protect salmon," page one, Jan. 23). Unfortunately, his good-faith effort to try to protect salmon populations was based on faulty claims from activists.

The fact of the matter is, numerous studies show the products used by local farmers and growers are safe for people and the environment.

So, what's really going to come of all this? Small farmers and growers, already struggling to support their families, either have to find much-more-expensive alternatives to keep their crops healthy, or stop farming altogether.

The salmon are going to be fine. I'm not so sure about the farmers.