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The original was posted on /r/permaculture by /u/IError413 on 2025-09-05 20:00:07+00:00.

I’ll set this up with details of what happened. But first, you’ll need to know a few things about me. We have a 60 acre small farm in Western MT that we’ve been trying to build up with shelter belts, orchard, gardens, paddocks and permaculture methods around our small corner near the house. We developed about 5 acres of it - at the far end of the 60 acres.

Exact Details of what occurred:

Early July, we noticed a helicopter flying along the 1/2 mile Western edge of our property and using our big open field as a turn around point (making several passes). This isn’t THAT unusual - we get a lot of private tour helicopters from nearby resorts. But, we quickly realized this guy was fogging the creek and railroad tracks (creek runs parallel, and right up to the tracks) along that edge. At first I assumed it was mosquito treatment since he was dumping right on top of a large named creek that boarders the far edge of my property, where I irrigated from. Growing concerned, we called the various people we thought would know - of course no one knew what this guy was doing (not the local weed districts, irrigation districts environment agencies, no one). Finally, someone told us oh - they are spraying BNSF railroad tracks for the entire state. Yikes… alarms went at this point.

The creek that feeds our property runs parallel and within 10-20ft of the railroad tracks. We complained to the applicator, who had a typical attitude of - you can drink this stuff and it doesn’t matter. We complained to the state ag herbicide enforcement agency who have since started an investigation following up on the many complaints throughout the state about this specific event. Finally, we complained to the railroad (BNSF) and this is where it got interesting.

BNSF confirmed in writing that they authorized, and ordered the application including the exact date, location and chemicals used. But, here’s the problem… BNSF doesn’t own the tracks, Montana Rail Link does. So, we follow up and have a verbal conversation with MLR - who confirms they do not, and would not EVER order an aerial spray over the 60 mile section in question - because: That would be stupid given the houses and backyards within ft of those tracks in years since it was abandoned. Of course, as you can imagine, some of those people are angry - claiming their kids were exposed in their backyards, they had to leave their own homes etc. But, only heard anecdotal stories at this point.

We followed up with a water test of the creek for picloram (one of the herbicides used). None was detected - however this was a short time after the application and we are in a drought so maybe not surprising. The state came out weeks later and tested for multiple herbicides and found very large concentrations of Picloram and Aminopyralid. So large, there was off-hand verbal commentary around it being some of the highest they’ve ever recorded anywhere. Concentrations were found in freshly dead / dying vegetation, including large trees, shrubs etc. 2 months later, it is now obvious there is significant damage to our riparian buffer zone that blocks most of our westerly weather. Most of the damage is on MLR property, some is on mine, and the entire riparian buffer zone is now reduced by dying large vegetation (big trees, bushes 100s of ft tall that are dying and 10-20ft bushes along the 1/2 mile). I would estimate 20% reduction, however the state is saying don’t hold your breath it will get worse, they think at least a 40%-50% reduction in those areas of all vegetation is imminent and little will grow there for the next 5-10 years based on the concentrations they found. The state also mentioned that the applicator’s logs show discrepancies between the chemicals used and the ones permitted and reported. The applicator logs explicitly stated that while Picloram was applied, Aminopyralid was not - which is clearly not true. Add that to spraying the wrong property, and contaminating areas near surface water, the state agency is likely not pleased.

At this point however, the state has more or less done their job. There may be fines etc placed on the applicator the maximum of which won’t even equate to his fuel cost for an hour. That doesn’t concern me / I don’t care. I’m worried and very discouraged about the obvious.

What should I do?

I created a FB page and got a lot of local people to write in who were angry, disorganized and seemed to be pursuing ridiculous paths of complaints - like complaining to the FAA and other nonsense. But, it’s clear i’m not the only one upset. I’m concerned that while my water tests so far (for Picloram only) found nothing, they found heavy concentrations of Aminopyralid and Picloram on my property. I’m concerned that my riparian buffer zone, which I have had a goal of building up and making better is now like… dead and potentially won’t recover for a decade. I’m concerned that I should keep testing water and even my well water for years to come at this point.

Financially - I don’t have the money to fund a major lawsuit that is going to drag out forever. I can’t really even afford the additional testing that should be done. But, I did call some attorneys at this point and I’m waiting for consultations. I’m sick over this, disgusted and so pissed. I want to just move. One of the big struggles we’ve had with our property since moving here 6 years ago, is the high wind and weather that comes out of the west. All advice we’ve received is - focus on that zone and build it up, plant and grow lots of bushes and trees - not it feels impossible.

Any advice is welcome… I’m a bit overwhelmed with what to do at this point. And of course, I have those friends and acquainted + even neighboring farms that could care less / think i’m overreacting and will literally quote random sudo science that you can drink roundup and it won’t hurt you.