No Drought Extension, Drone Registration & Simplot Fine

No Drought Extension, Drone Registration & Simplot Fine. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

The moisture we've been having lately here in the northwest has been having a positive effect. Washington State will not be extending their drought declaration and officials are saying there will not be a water shortage or hardships in the foreseeable future. The current declaration will expire next Thursday, New Year's Eve. The states Water Emergency Committee has met and believes that there will be ample water supplies through the summer months and doubt supplies will drop below the 75% level.

Simplot Feeders LLP is facing a $50,000 fine from the Department of Ecology for allowing small particles into the air, including dust and dried manure. The feedlot is near Wallula, Washington which is also the site of a massive paper mill that spew foul odors throughout the Columbia Basin. Simplot is reviewing the allegations and will make a determination of whether to appeal the fine.

If you are planning on giving a drone to someone for Christmas, remember that as of this last Monday they will need to register their devices with the Federal Aviation Administration. If the drone weighs over .55 pounds it will need to be registered. The FAA is not kidding around either, a penalty for failure to register could net you a civil fine up to $27,500. From there, criminal penalties include fines that can go as high as $250,000 and the threat of "imprisonment for up to three years."

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.