AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine lawmakers are considering several bills to further regulate pesticide spraying, including one to require notification of residents within a quarter-mile of spray areas. The agriculture committee took up the bills Thursday.

Cary Nash of Camden, who runs a blueberry growing business and is a state licensed pesticide applicator, said the quarter-mile notification proposal sounds unworkable. Nash said he already spends up to two hours a day notifying property owners.

Heather Spaulding of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardiners Association said notification issues pose problems for organic farmers and others. Spaulding favors a 1,000-foot increase in the zone in which a resident can request information about pesticide applications.