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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -March 14, 2000
00-035
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289
SPOKANE - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is rescinding a fine issued last month to a Mesa farmer for illegal burning.
After reviewing photographs of the field that was allegedly burned without a permit, Tom Bailie of Mesa and Ecology inspectors determined that Bailie was not guilty of illegally burning.
On Feb. 14, Ecology fined Bailie $2,000 for burning about 30 acres of irrigated wheat stubble without a permit. The fire was observed during a surveillance over-flight on Aug. 11, 1998.
However, a review of the aerial photographs helped Bailie determine that while he owned the acreage, someone to whom he had sub-leased the land was farming it.
Ecology will now rescind the fine against Bailie and pursue a penalty against the person who actually burned the wheat stubble.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
