Budget Cuts In Olympia Hurting Whatcom County Water Users

In 2024, the Washington Department of Ecology decided to do a water adjudication in Whatcom County, impacting both surface and ground water.  Fred Likkel, Executive Director of Whatcom Family Farmers, said over 25,000 residents received their court summons this year, letting them know they are being sued by the state.

Likkel pointed out under state law, Washington is required to help pay for an adjudication such as this.

“With the budget crisis we saw, you know, last spring and looking at places to cut, when the budget finally came through, there were significant, significant cuts in funding to help run said adjudication," he pointed out.  "So you've got 25 to 30 or even 35,000 people being sued. And the court system seems to be completely overwhelmed with how this is going to work. They don't have the technology that's there. And now the state hasn't, isn't really able, willing to step up and help pay for it. So there's a lot of limbo here. On the one hand, people have been served and have been sued, but on the other hand, what have we really got coming our way?”

We Can Either Fight, Or Come Up With A Solution

Likkel added he’s hopeful Ecology realizes that farmers are looking for meaningful solutions when it comes to natural resource issues.

“Because at the end of the day, we can sit there and have a legal fight for 40, 50 years, or we can be having conversations about how we find solutions, right? There's obviously, not just here in Whatcom County, but in a lot of places around the country, we got natural resources that need to be shared, and we can either fight things for 40, 50, 60 years in court, or we can look at what the solutions are.”

DOE Has Not Handled This Well

Likkel said the way this adjudication has been handled is extremely frustrating, since Ecology promised farmers that the Department would be there to help producers navigate the process.

Growers and farmers with questions, or need additional information can visit Whatcom County's Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com