The state Department of Ecology has fined two cattle ranches in northern Skagit County, claiming they were polluting the Samish River.

Mark Blackwood's ranch south of Alger and Rick Clark's Rockin R Bison ranch near Bow were each fined $14,000 for failing to prevent livestock manure from entering streams that drain into Samish Basin, an Ecology press release said.

Fecal coliform levels taken at the two properties were above the state standard, the release said. Bacteria level in a sample taken from a creek at Blackwood's farm was 7,500 times higher than the standard.

Blackwood couldn't be reached for comment. Clark said during a phone interview on Tuesday, Dec. 13 that no runoff has left his 33-acre buffalo ranch since last winter, when the water sample was taken.

"Everything (Ecology) asked me to do was done immediately," Clark said.

Having filled in the low spots that were draining rainwater into nearby ditches, he now has to contend with regular flooding after heavy rains, he said.

"I'm open to any suggestions from anybody, within reason," Clark said.

The two ranches have 30 days to appeal.

Samish Basin commercial shellfish beds close routinely after a heavy rain because high fecal coliform levels create a risk of illness for people who eat the shellfish.