A Spokane County, Wash., farmer has been fined $15,000 for illegally irrigating 69 acres for three days in June, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

Robert H. Greiff of Deer Park was warned and even fined $6,000 in early June, but irrigated the parcel again without a permit later in the month, according to Ecology records.

Ecology issued the second fine Aug. 6 and announced it in a press release Wednesday. Efforts to obtain comment from Greiff were not successful.

Grieff pumped water from a tributary of Dragon Creek in the Little Spokane River watershed, according to Ecology. The watershed has been closed to new water rights since 1976.

An Ecology watermaster reported seeing the 69-acre parcel irrigated in 2019. Ecology sent Greiff a technical assistance letter.

The watermaster again saw the parcel being irrigated in June 2023. Ecology ordered Greiff to stop, according to Ecology records.

In May, the watermaster reported seeing two irrigation wheel lines on the parcel. The watermaster said he called Greiff, but Greiff refused to shut off the wheel lines, according to Ecology.

Ecology issued Greiff a $6,000 fine June 5. The Spokane County sheriff’s office delivered the fine June 10.

The watermaster reported seeing the parcel irrigated again on June 11, June 18 and June 25. Ecology fined Greiff again — $5,000 a day for the three days.