ATLANTA - The Environmental Protection Agency has accused two south Georgia quail plantations of using poisoned chicken eggs to kill predators of the game birds. The alleged violations could lead to fines of almost $3 million. <br>
<br>
Stanley Meiburg of the EPA said Wednesday that the agency has filed complaints against Kolomoki Plantation and Albemarle Plantation, accusing them of injecting pesticide in hundreds of eggs. <br>
<br>
In 1999, conservation rangers found three alligators, several raccoons, squirrels, snakes, a red-tail hawk, songbirds and other species dead near chicken eggs that had been injected with carbofuran, The pesticide, which can be deadly to humans, must be purchased with a permit. Users must record how it is used, by whom, and how its containers were disposed. <br>
<br>
An investigation by state and federal wildlife authorities ended with several thousand dollars in misdemeanor fines paid by four plantation owners. <br>
<br>
Meiburg told WAGA-TV in Atlanta that Kolomoki, which is north of Blakely, is charged with more than 500 violations, carrying a potential fine of more than $2 million. Officials of the plantation had no comment on Wednesday, WAGA said. <br>
<br>
Richard Thomas, the owner of Albemarle Plantation east of Albany, told the station that he thought the matter had been settled two years ago when he paid a $500 fine. He said he was shocked that it had come up again and said he has not used poisoned eggs since the investigation began. <br>
<br>
Thomas now faces maximum fines of more than $800,000, WAGA reported. He told the state Department of Natural Resources during its investigation that he poisoned 12 eggs, but did not know it was illegal.
