Cattle producers concerned with stream protection

The Washington Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) is partnering with regional county affiliates to host a rancher meeting in Ritzville on January 6, 2014 to discuss stream protection and water quality standards. The meeting is in response to ranchers’ concerns about a spate of notices recently sent by Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) to eastern Washington ranchers warning of their operations’ potential to pollute streams. The purpose of the meeting is to help ranchers in the area better understand Washington’s water quality standards, livestock operations’ potential to pollute streams, and assistance available to ranchers facing these issues.

The January 6 meeting is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m at the Washington Wheat Foundation Annex Building adjacent to Washington Association of Wheat Growers at 109 E. First in Ritzville. Ranchers throughout the area are welcome to attend.

Speakers include Jack Field, Executive Vice President of WCA and Tip Hudson, WSU Extension Range Management Specialist, both from Ellensburg, and Toni Meacham, a Connell attorney experienced in livestock issues related to water quality. They will discuss DOE’s role in enforcing water quality and anti-pollution standards, the 5-Star Water Quality Program developed by ranchers in the Palouse and joint efforts by WCA and the Washington Farm Bureau to help ranchers navigate ongoing and emerging water-quality issues.

WSU Extension programs are offered without discrimination. For accommodation of special need, contact WSU Extension at 509-725-4171. For more information, contact WCA regional director Nancy Belsby at 509-235-8581.