Water A Key Topic Of 2017 Legislative Session

As lawmaker prepare to return to Olympia for the upcoming legislative session, water is poised to be one of the top agriculture issues discussed.  State Senator Judy Warnick told the Washington Ag Network addressing the Hirst decision will be on the top of the Ag Water Trade and Economic Development Committee’s to-do list.  While the impact of the HIrst decision out of Whatcom County primarily focuses on counties with Growth Management plans in place, its ripples could be felt in the ag community.

“Farmers will only be impacted on that, if they are looking to drill a well for an additional home or drill a well possibly for livestock use.  But that will generally not affect their irrigation.”

Warnick says they will also explore water banks during the 2017 session.  And she adds it’s Important to have legislation that ensures farmers have water when they need it, rather than just water on paper.

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