If you own property with a water right in Whatcom County and haven't yet filed your WRIA 1 court claim form, there are two upcoming sessions where you can get free one-on-one help from technical experts. Whatcom County Public Works has appointments available at the Lynden Library on Wednesday, May 6 from 2 to 5 p.m., and at the Everson Library on Thursday, May 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The sessions are part of ongoing outreach related to the WRIA 1 Whatcom County Water Rights Adjudication, a legal process in which the Washington State Superior Court is systematically reviewing and confirming water rights claims throughout the Nooksack River basin and surrounding watershed. WRIA 1 encompasses most of Whatcom County's watersheds. Property owners who have water rights in this area, whether for irrigation, stock watering, household use, or other purposes, are required to file a formal court claim to protect and establish those rights in the adjudication record.
The claim deadline is June 1, 2027, which sounds distant but the forms are detailed and require accurate historical documentation of when and how water has been used on a property. Many landowners in Whatcom County, particularly farmers and rural property owners in the Lynden, Everson, Sumas, and Nooksack areas, have existing water rights that predate modern water law but still need to be registered in this process.
Missing the filing deadline could mean losing the legal standing to assert a water right, even one that has been used for generations. The adjudication is binding, which is why county and state officials have been holding outreach sessions to help property owners understand what they need to do and how to complete the court claim form correctly.
To register for a time slot at either session, call 360-778-6314 or email WRA-publicworks@whatcomcounty.us. Walk-ins are welcome if space is available, but registered appointments are prioritized. Sessions are free of charge. Attendees should bring any documents related to their property's water use history, including old permits, well logs, or irrigation records if available.
The Whatcom County Public Works department has been conducting these sessions at libraries throughout the county to make the process as accessible as possible to rural and agricultural landowners who may not have easy access to legal or technical assistance. More information about the WRIA 1 adjudication process is available by contacting the county at the number above.
