COOLEE CITY – Eastern Washington rancher Wade King is fighting a $267,540 fine for allegedly damaging a rare alkaline wetland on his property and adjacent public land. A lawsuit was filed against the Ministry of Ecology.
The lawsuit, which began Dec. 22 in Grant County Superior Court, alleges the department exceeded its authority by punishing King for traditional farming practices and violating his rights to the reservoir. The case reflects concerns raised in the recent U.S. Supreme Court Sackett decision, which narrowed the scope of the federal Clean Water Act to wetlands directly connected to navigable waters.
At the heart of the conflict are 22 alkaline wetlands, which the Ministry of Ecology says have been devastated by the King family's excavations, as evidenced by Google Earth images and field surveys. In addition to imposing a hefty fine, the ministry required the Crown to hire experts to restore the wetland and consult with local tribes to ensure that tribal cultural assets are not affected.
King's attorney, Duncan Green, said the department's action goes too far, pointing out that wetlands do not meet the state's definition and ranchers' actions to dig watering holes for livestock do not cause environmental damage. he claimed. The lawsuit also questions the Department of Ecology's use of executive orders to regulate wetlands without going through the normal public comment process.
The Ministry of Ecology confirmed the lawsuit through spokesperson Andrew Weinke and is currently investigating. In response to the broader impact of the Sackett decision, the Department is seeking additional resources to develop permits and orders to fill regulatory gaps in wetland protection.
In addition to this lawsuit, the Kings are also challenging the Department of Natural Resources' move to cancel large-scale grazing contracts. These legal battles highlight the tension between agricultural practices and conservation efforts in Washington state. The outcome of this litigation could have a significant impact on the interpretation and enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in the context of wetland management and conservation.
Source: Capital Press
