Wade and Teresa King own and operate a generational family ranch in eastern Washington, with the 4th, 5th, and 6th generations now living and working on the ranch. For more than 70 years, the Kings have actively raised and bred livestock and horses on the ranch. They have also engaged in beef production, which has provided numerous citizens with American-raised, open-range-grazed beef and has enhanced food security throughout Washington State and the United States. The Kings personally operate and steward tens of thousands of acres of arid and rugged grazing lands with the help of their daughter.

The Kings have invested a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money into their ranching operations. It has been their life's work and the work of their family before them.

Unfortunately, the Kings now find themselves fighting for their livelihood, property rights, and legacy as they face an unprecedented battle against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), the Washington State Department of Ecology (“Ecology”), and the State of Washington.  Without any reliable evidence or information, Ecology fined the Kings more than $250,000 for alleged disturbances to “wetlands” arising from the Kings exercising their vested stockwater rights when they engaged in the industry standard and commonly accepted practice of maintaining stockwater ponds that have been used by ranchers on this same land for hundreds of years.  Ecology is also demanding that the Kings remediate the alleged “wetlands,” which is estimated to cost millions (if not tens of millions) of dollars.  As a result of Ecology’s unfounded allegations, the State of Washington pursued a parallel criminal investigation against the Kings, and DNR unilaterally terminated all of the grazing leases that it has had with the Kings for many decades.  The actions of Ecology, DNR, and Washington State threaten the Kings’ livelihood and the future of ranching and agriculture throughout Washington State.

The Kings are now embroiled in several lawsuits against Ecology, DNR, and the State of Washington, where they are fighting to protect their rights and those of all ranchers, landowners, and farmers.  This fight isn’t just the Kings’ fight — it is a stand for every rancher, farmer, and landowner who has suffered at the hands of government overreach and abuse of authority. 

Right now, the Kings need your help to continue this fight.  Your support can make a difference in protecting a generational family ranch, the ranching and agricultural community, property rights, food security, and ensuring that all citizens are treated fairly under the law.