Whitman County Cattle Farmers Fined By DOE

The Washington Department of Ecology has fined three Whitman County cattle operators $48,000 for repeated water pollution violations.

Greg, Dan, and Doug Stout are accused of allowing livestock to damage Steptoe Creek, despite receiving $200,000 in taxpayer funding to build fences, install watering stations, and restore stream habitat. Ecology said the brothers failed to maintain those improvements, leading to damaged fencing and destroyed native plantings. Ecology added Department officials repeatedly offered technical and financial assistance to the Stouts beginning in 2002 to help the brothers protect the creek from livestock pollution.

Livestock Destroyed $70,000 Worth Of Native Plants

“We have attempted to work with the Stouts for nearly 25 years, often going above and beyond to find solutions to protect Steptoe Creek,” said Mitch Redfern, Ecology’s watershed unit supervisor for Eastern Washington. “Taxpayers are out thousands of dollars because they repeatedly neglected to hold up their end of the agreement.”

DOE said for years the Stouts allowed livestock to damage fencing and completely destroy $70,000 worth of native plantings put in by Palouse Conservation District. The $48,000 penalty is based on instances where Ecology staff directly observed violations.

Ecology added livestock can introduce harmful bacteria, excess nutrients, and sediment to the water. Livestock can also damage vegetation that keeps the water cool for fish and naturally removes pollutants before it reaches the water.

The Stouts have thirty days to pay the fine or appeal.

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