20 Comments
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Robert Shannon's avatar

This smells like the CA Pointe Reyes cattle/dairy scam that has been taking place. Wonder what money is in behind this one that will step in with their own operation when the King ranch is no more.

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James Clendenning's avatar

This is another case of incompetence turning into a nightmare. The Kings should have been able to resolve this with a simple conversation. Alkali wetland? You cannot determine the pH of the water from an Google maps photo? Nor can you determine the plant speciation. The people that dug the watering holes may have destroyed the previous ecosystem at those locations but there are new stable ones now, and it appears that the Kings have been managing those responsibly.

Terminating their leases? That seems insane unless they were destroying the land and harming native species. Hard for me to believe any responsible rancher would ever do that.

What state congressional district are the Kings in? Evidently there are others facing similar situations. This would be a good story for Brandi Kruse to look into. I would appreciate it if the Kings or others affected similarly asked her to look into it . It needs larger media coverage.

As always, thank you for your coverage of these rural issues.

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Notsothoreau's avatar

Yes, my husband had an 8year lawsuit with that DNR. The state used to be run by reasonable people. Now, DNR wants to confiscate property. And they have some of the most incompetent judges in the state.

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Nelson Mast's avatar

This is why eastern Washington and eastern Oregon want to move state line

to join Idaho.

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Pnoldguy's avatar

Don't Californicate Idaho!

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Marilynne Mellander's avatar

Too bad that Trump is too busy making deals with Mideast despots and terrorists to deal with those farmers and ranchers back at home who supported his election..

How can you Make America Great Again when you can't allow food production in your own country to continues unhindered by ridiculous regulations?

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Keely Covello's avatar

This is a state issue. He doesn’t have jurisdiction. The people to be angry at are the government of Washington, which is solid blue by the way

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Timmy Taes's avatar

That's true, Keely, but I remember when Reagan blackmailed the states into raising the drinking age to 21 (goodbye 3.2 beer for 18-year-olds). Reagan threatened to withhold federal funding for roads to states that didn't comply.

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Marilynne Mellander's avatar

He could at least start getting involved in issues like this...is he can snub his nose at SCOTUS over illegal immigration issues, he could put some heat on the State of Washing, et al for endangering US food production....seems like this would be a matter of national security if anything is...Trump could easily find some way to stop these kinds of State actions on a national scale

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Peter From NH's avatar

They did get positively involved with the Maude family that was being prosecuted over the 70 year old fence.

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Threads and Nodes's avatar

Part of a plan to end farming in the state. The head-scratcher is: After the evacuation of WA what do they plan to do with the land? Give it to their friends?

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JasonT's avatar

Elect Democrats, destroy families.

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Timmy Taes's avatar

This is what happens when the government owns land. The US Constitution does not mention the government owning land except for harbor facilities and post roads. The only solution to all of this crap is for a law or Constitutional Amendment outlawing government owning ANY land.

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Chris Gorman's avatar

I hate lefties. I fucking hate them.

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mari's avatar

The feds should be involved..on behalf of the ranchers

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Uncle Juan's avatar

I am wondering where the Trump administration is when you need them…

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Keely Covello's avatar

Washington state issue not federal

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Uncle Juan's avatar

But he could make it aware to everyone.

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Uncle Juan's avatar

True….

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Robert Shannon's avatar

Would think it needs to be made aware of the situation.

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