SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Ecology fined a Spokane County farmer $100,000 for unauthorized irrigation activities at Wild Rose Prairie near Deer Park. The farmer, Robert H. Greiff, was penalized for 20 days of illegal irrigation between June 12 and July 25 of this year.

This issue has persisted for more than six years. In 2024, penalties totaled $21,000. Despite warnings, Greiff continued to irrigate without permission by using a spring tributary to Dragoon Creek, part of the Little Spokane River watershed.

"For years, we’ve seen repeated violations and a disregard for bringing this property into compliance," said Jaime Short, water resources section manager for Ecology’s Eastern Region.

Ecology first noted unpermitted irrigation on Greiff’s property in 2019, issuing multiple

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