Why Is Lahontan’s Assistant Executive Officer Trying To Hide Hexazinone Contamination?

Protect Lassen is investigating Assistant Executive Officer Jan Zimmerman for her continued dismissal of documented evidence regarding the illegal seventy-acre extension of the Motor Sheep Biomass project. In her November 21, 2025 letter, Zimmerman states there is “insufficient basis” for the illegal spray zone and “no evidence” of unpermitted activity, despite the presented maps, confirmed hexazinone contamination, and the fact that neither she nor any Lahontan staff have ever inspected the area in question.

Zimmerman further claims that “there was no evidence of an unpermitted herbicide project,” even though the seventy-acre expansion has no Timber Waiver coverage, no Waste Discharge Requirements, and no lawful authorization from Lahontan at all. Her refusal to acknowledge or investigate the documented seventy-acre section raises credible concerns about regulatory neglect and potential suppression of a major environmental violation. It is her responsibility to prevent exactly this type of water pollution, yet she is actively denying and attempting to deflect from contamination that demonstrably occurred.

What makes this even more alarming is that the illegal extension has now been confirmed by nine positive DPR laboratory results detecting hexazinone in water, soil, pond sediment, and vegetation — a contamination pattern entirely consistent with runoff from untreated slopes and aerial spray drift after helicopter application. These impacts occurred because W.M. Beaty & Associates failed to implement any Best Management Practices in the unpermitted seventy-acre area.

While it is not yet confirmed, emerging information obtained by Protect Lassen from a whistle blower on the inside suggests that Zimmerman’s illogical and persistent denial of overwhelming evidence may be influenced by potential conflicts at higher levels within her chain of command. Early indications suggest that one or more of her superiors may have longstanding ties to the timber industry and to W.M. Beaty & Associates specifically. Protect Lassen has initiated a separate investigation into these potential connections. If verified, such relationships would explain Zimmerman’s blatant disregard for documented contamination of drinking water and her unwillingness to enforce Lahontan’s own water quality laws against a major industry actor.

More information will be released as the investigation continues, and the full Protect Lassen report is coming soon.