Washington Ranchers Fight $267,540 Wetland Fine, Seek Jury Trial Over 34 Pond Sites
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Washington Ranchers Fight $267,540 Wetland Fine, Seek Jury Trial Over 34 Pond Sites
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Summary
A Washington appeals commissioner paused the Kings' administrative case in September while the court weighs whether Wade and Teresa King can bypass the Pollution Control Hearings Board and get a jury trial.
The dispute stems from a 2023 Ecology order fining the ranch owners $267,540 for allegedly damaging 23 wetlands—later expanded to 34 sites—by digging livestock ponds in Grant and Douglas counties.
The Kings say the areas are longstanding stockwater ponds, not regulated wetlands, and estimate compliance with restoration orders could cost more than $3.7 million, threatening their multigenerational ranch.
Ecology says satellite and aerial imagery dating to 1949 showed 6.37 acres of naturally occurring wetlands were altered and says the ranchers refused repeated efforts to resolve the damage.
Pacific Legal Foundation, representing the Kings, said it would petition the U.S. Supreme Court if needed, arguing the case could test whether Seventh Amendment jury-trial protections apply to state civil fines.