KGMI News
Top state lawmakers have reached a deal on the 2016 Hirst Decision out of Whatcom County that effectively restricted new household wells in rural areas.
The deal that passed the House yesterday evening was a negotiated agreement from earlier this week on both the water dispute and the two-year capital budget.
Republicans had insisted on getting legislation to fix the so-called Hirst decision before passing the capital budget.
Democratic Representative Larry Springer of Kirkland said in an interview Thursday that the deal would allow landowners in rural areas to tap permit exempt wells while local committees in watersheds come up with a longer term mitigation plan.
The bill also includes $300 million over the next 15 years for as-yet unspecified projects that improve stream flows.
In a phone call to KGMI Thursday, 42nd District Republican Representative LuAnne Van Werven of Lynden said the deal was good for Whatcom County.