BISMARCK, ND – Mark Meyer, of North Dakota, was sentenced in late December 2020 to pay $46,392 in restitution to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after pleading guilty to unlawfully distributing a restricted-use pesticide. The case, originating from events in early 2016, revealed a widespread and dangerous misapplication of poison across two ranches spanning North Dakota and South Dakota, resulting in significant environmental damage and animal deaths.
According to court documents, between February and March 2016, Meyer purchased 22 large sacks – each weighing 1,800 pounds – of Rozol Prairie Dog Bait. This pesticide is classified as a “restricted-use” product, meaning it can only be legally purchased and applied by certified applicators. Meyer then provided the bait to David Meyer, who oversaw the application on the Wilder Buffalo Ranch in Sioux County, North Dakota and Carson County, South Dakota, and the Cannonball Ranch in Morton County, North Dakota. Crucially, David Meyer was *not* a certified applicator.
The improper application involved approximately 39,000 pounds of Rozol being spread across roughly 5,400 acres. Instead of following proper procedures – placing the bait *inside* prairie dog burrows to target the rodents directly – workers liberally applied the poison both inside the holes *and* on the surface of the ground. This reckless approach quickly proved devastating, as non-target species began consuming the brightly colored bait. Buffalo, pronghorn antelope, and horses were among the animals that ingested the poison, leading to illness and death.
The ecological fallout extended to protected bird species. A Standing Rock Sioux Tribe game warden discovered a deceased eagle, triggering an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ultimately, the EPA. An EPA emergency response team was dispatched to the ranches to oversee a costly cleanup operation. The investigation revealed that eagles and a hawk died after consuming prairie dogs that had been poisoned, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of the improper pesticide use. The bait’s green color, intended to attract prairie dogs, inadvertently lured other animals to a deadly meal.
Legal Ramifications
Meyer’s actions violated sections 7 U.S.C. 136l(b)(1)(B) and 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(F) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These statutes govern the distribution and use of pesticides, aiming to protect human health and the environment. The penalty of $46,392 in restitution represents the costs incurred by the EPA for the cleanup and remediation efforts. While Meyer avoided jail time, the case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of misusing restricted-use pesticides and the potential for severe environmental and financial repercussions.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Mark Meyer
- Location: Wilder Buffalo Ranch (ND/SD) & Cannonball Ranch (ND)
- Pesticide: Rozol Prairie Dog Bait (restricted-use)
- Amount of Pesticide Used: Approximately 39,000 pounds
- Area Affected: Roughly 5,400 acres
- Species Affected: Eagles, hawks, buffalo, pronghorn antelope, horses, prairie dogs
- Restitution: $46,392 to the EPA
- Laws Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136l(b)(1)(B), 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(F)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Michigan Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Child Support, Michigan 2024 · Texas
- Idaho Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Child Support · Texas
- Montana Man Gets 3 Years Probation for Failure to Pay Child Support · Texas
- North Dakota Man Indicted For Failure To Pay Child Support · Texas
- Wounded Knee Man Stole Government Property · North Dakota
