12/02/08 Optimism on resolving "stock water" controversy

Washington Ag December 2, 2008 Washington Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Jack Field spoke with the governor's office Monday regarding a Department of Ecology official's interpretation of state water law that would limit the stock water exemption. A coalition of agriculture groups say that new interpretation is contrary to an Attorney General's opinion and a legal opinion from the Pollution Control Board. Field says this issue is important to everyone in the state. Field: "Probably every citizen needs to be fully aware of that we cannot allow state agencies to re-interpret a rule at their convenience to create an enforceable outcome." Field seemed encouraged after his discussion with the governor's office. Field: "I think they are very interested in trying to facilitate some industry meetings and try to get to a meaningful solution. So I was quite pleased to hear they have been following this to the level they have and I am optimistic that we will able to come up with an appropriate and reasonable outcome on this for all parties. The controversial Ecology interpretation came in response to a plan by Easterday Ranches to place a 30-thousand head cattle feedlot near Eltopia in Franklin County. I'm Bob Hoff.