Trucks entering state through Pend Oreille, Spokane counties must stop or face fine

By MATTHEW WEAVER

Capital Press

Commercial cattle trucks entering Washington's Pend Oreille and Spokane counties from Idaho will now be required to stop at a port of entry for inspection or face a $1,000 fine.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed House Bill 1922 into law May 3.

Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, sponsored the bill. The measure passed the Washington State House and Senate unanimously. It goes into effect July 22.

In a press release, Shea said hundreds of Canadian Cattle trucks enter Washington weekly from the Idaho border, with many avoiding the Interstate 90 port of entry inspection station east of Spokane. There is now a port of entry station at the Highway 290 entrance north of I-90.

In the release, Shea said he was concerned about the possible transportation of sick animals into the state and potential risks to the food supply.

Shea also said the high volume of heavy trucks is causing damage to the highway and creating "dangerous congestion" for local traffic.

Under the bill, commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 40,000 pounds or more and transporting cattle will be required to stop at a port of entry.

The law applies only to Pend Oreille and Spokane counties.

Fines collected will be used for road maintenance purposes.

Wade King, past president of the Cattle Producers of Washington, said he would have liked the bill to go further and add a step to create an additional firewall to protect against animal health issues entering the state. State officials at the port of entry need education on the proper paperwork that should be accompanying the cattle, King said.

Every bovine health event in Washington has come from an imported animal, King said. The organization is dissatisfied with U.S. inspections of animals at the port of entry, King said.

King's organization first became involved because residents were blaming local producers for the increased congestion through neighborhoods.

Jack Field, executive vice president of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, also doesn't foresee much effect to the state's producers.

Field is encouraged by the Washington State Patrol's interest in working with industry members to address the health inspection issue.

There are only five ports of entry for the state. Expanding the requirements to the entire state might create new hardships, Field said, calling the law a measured implementation that would allow for adjustment later on.