KGMI News
by Joe Teehan
OLYMPIA, WASH. The State Senate passes a bill that would allow rural development regardless of water rights.
It would address a state Supreme Court ruling on a case from Whatcom County.
The bill, partly sponsored by Ferndale Republican Doug Ericksen, would allow counties and other agencies to issue building permits without reviewing whether a well for the property would impair senior water rights.
Whatcom County has imposed a moratorium on new development that require so-called “exempt wells,” which have no water rights.
The Supreme Court said counties must do so in its ruling in the Hirst case out of Whatcom County.
The bill now goes to the House during the special session.