Ranchers Face $48K Fine for Creek Damage | Spokane News

Washington’s Department of Ecology slams a local ranching operation with a $48,000 fine for letting cattle repeatedly sabotage costly environmental protections along Steptoe Creek — a vital steelhead trout habitat that feeds into the Snake River. Despite two decades of cooperation, taxpayer-funded fencing, water stations, and native plantings, the Stout family’s cattle have damaged $70K worth of vegetation and fencing, worsening water quality issues like high temps and low oxygen. With 30 days to pay or appeal, officials say the ranchers failed to honor their end of the environmental agreement — even as they’ve invested $200K in conservation efforts. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1e2296c10431ba54