Rollins Threatens to Pull Washington State Funding Over King Ranch Case
Secretary Rollins warns the state may lose funding after hitting a longtime cattle operation with $267,540 in fines over maintaining stock watering ponds.
Adding to a growing list of instances where the Trump administration has acted against what it sees as government overreach targeting American ranch and farm families, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today spoke out regarding the King Ranch case in Washington state, defending a family accused of damaging alkali wetlands in Grant and Douglas counties.
In a December 9 letter, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reprimands Washington officials for “inappropriately targeting” ranchers Wade and Teresa King based on aerial photos pulled from Google Earth. She warns federal funding could be at stake.
“This war on agriculture must stop,” Rollins stated a letter addressed to Department of Ecology (DOE) Director Casey Sixkiller and Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove.
As reported by UNWON, the King family has faced steep fines, stripped leases, possible criminal charges, and an aggressive multi-agency investigation all over what they describe as routine maintenance of manmade stock ponds.
Last month, Rollins responded to our report, committing to look into the case.
“Targeting a ranch for actively maintaining a man-made farm pond is not only wrong but impermissible under state and federal law, and the Trump Administration will not sit idly by in the face of this injustice,” Rollins said.
She cites a third-party review that found the ponds “do not constitute a wetland pursuant to the Clean Water Act or Washington state law.”
Describing the King family’s ordeal as a warning shot for ranchers statewide, Rollins warns federal funding could be at stake.
“USDA is reviewing funding it provides to the state of Washington and any institutions within it that may be weaponized against farmers and ranchers such as the Kings,” Rollins says.
For its part, the state claims the King family broke the law by filling in protected wetlands. DOE fined the family $267,500. The Kings have appealed this fine with the Pollution Control Hearings Board. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) revoked two longtime grazing leases held by the family. The Kings are suing in a federal court to reestablish these leases.
“Targeted lawfare against American agricultural producers and the weaponization of government agencies is a clear assault on those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.”
In a statement to Capital Press, Sixkiller defends his agency’s actions.
“USDA’s letter is misleading and reflects a total disregard of the facts involved in this case,” he said. “It’s inappropriate for USDA’s leadership to interfere with a state issue and threaten federal funding that supports Washington’s agriculture industry, critical research and families.”
The letter marks one of the sharpest rebukes USDA has delivered to a state agency in recent years and signals a broader federal pushback against what ranch groups describe as escalating regulatory pressure in the West.
Full text below:
Dear Director Sixkiller and Commissioner Upthegrove,
I am writing on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture concerning actions the State of Washington has taken at the behest of the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources inappropriately targeting Wade and Teresa King with excessive penalties for normal ranching activities. The State of Washington imposed more than $250,000 dollars in civil penalties, it has also revoked leases on state land that have been ranched by the Kings for decades, and pursued a secretive criminal action behind closed doors without any ability for the Kings to defend. Combined with the massive legal fees needed to protect this family’s way of life, this amounts to the state of Washington threatening the existence of their legacy ranch. This war on agriculture must stop.
It is common knowledge, especially in the West, that access to water is preeminently important in raising cattle. The creation and maintenance of stock water ponds is one of primary ways ranchers ensure their livestock have access to water. For over 60 years, the King Ranch has had farm ponds on the property they own and lease. These man-made structures eventually start filling back up with sediment and need to be cleaned out. However, now the state is claiming farm ponds are wetlands and is attempting to bring the hammer down on a ranch simply for doing what they have always done: steward their land and livestock. Targeting a ranch for actively maintaining a man-made farm pond is not only wrong but impermissible under state and federal law, and the Trump Administration will not sit idly by in the face of this injustice. Targeted lawfare against American agricultural producers and the weaponization of government agencies is a clear assault on those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.
In July, the Department sent a letter to the Kings clarifying that there was no evidence of any activity that would constitute a conversion of a wetland pursuant to USDA authorities. Also, we are aware of a third-party review of the farm ponds in question that determined they do not constitute a wetland pursuant to the Clean Water Act or Washington state law. It’s important to note that, even under Washington state law, the definition of wetlands expressly does not include farm ponds.
USDA is reviewing funding it provides to the state of Washington and any institutions within it that may be weaponized against farmers and ranchers such as the Kings. Defending farmers and ranchers from the weaponization of laws is a top priority for this Administration. The aforementioned governmental overreach threatens the existence of the King Ranch in Washington and would set a dangerous precedent for ranch families across the state.
Sincerely,
Brooke Rollins
Secretary of AgricultureCC: Governor Robert Ferguson
Love love as they are only watering ponds with weather. Please pull Washington State funds and next is CA!!!!!!!!!!!