Fired Forest Service Worker Sues for Job - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Fired Forest Service Worker Sues for Job

Thursday August 9, 2007 4:16 AM

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN

Associated Press Writer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A former U.S. Forest Service official has
sued the federal government, saying it wrongfully fired him after he
came forward with allegations of pesticide misuse in forests across
the Southwest.

Doug Parker, who worked as the pesticide coordinator and assistant
director of forestry health for the agency's Southwestern region,
wants a jury to hear his story - and his job back.

-snip-

According to the lawsuit, Parker became the subject of hostile
treatment by his supervisors after complaining about what he called
a “systemic problem” when it came to proper pesticide use across
several forests in New Mexico and Arizona.

Parker had accused some managers of not preparing environmental
risk assessments and failing to get approval from agency officials
who had the authority to make decisions about pesticides.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6836821,00.html