KGMI News
WHATCOM COUNTY – A Whatcom County berry farmer agreed to pay an $80,000 fine after state regulators penalized him for illegal water use and failing to supply water records.
The Washington Department of Ecology said it fined Gurjant Sandhu $90,000 for illegally watering his 220-acre raspberry farm, and $12,000 for not submitting water use records for his 120-acre blueberry farm, a total fine of $102,000.
Sadhu filed an appeal to the Pollution Control Hearings Board, denying the allegations.
“We tried to work with Mr. Sandhu for years before issuing the penalties,” Ecology spokesperson Kristin Johnson-Waggoner said.
Under the settlement with the state, Sandhu will pay the negotiated fine, install water meters, provide Ecology with real-time water use data, and allow officials access to he property.
He’s also working on securing legal water rights for his farm.