Ag Water Board

05/26/2026

Do you have questions about your water rights? We have staff available here at the Ag Water Board who will take individual, 30-minute *appointments to discuss the adjudication and individual water rights.

🗓️ We are currently scheduling appointments during the first two weeks of June 2026.
💲 Cost: FREE
🌽 Appointments are for agricultural water users in Whatcom County only.
ℹ️ Email [email protected] for more information.

01/13/2026

The Nooksack Basin needs water management solutions that are feasible, durable, and importantly, that provide on-the-ground results—instead of just "paper water."

A water rights adjudication which doesn't include all water users in the basin will instead only serve to muddy those waters further.

That’s why the Ag Water Board last month asked the court's permission to file a number of motions in the adjudication. These types of issues should be addressed early in the case.

Working within the bounds of Washington water law, tribal treaties, and international treaties with Canada may be complicated, but we cannot choose to ignore any one of those foundational elements of Nooksack Basin water management.

The Ag Water Board's motions address some severe legal weaknesses and shortcomings in the Washington State Department of Ecology's adjudication, including the case's failure to include all necessary parties, address issues under international treaties, and adopt reasonable deadlines.

For instance, a single court filing deadline, rather than multiple deadlines, would be easier to administer and understand for the thousands of water users who must file adjudication court claims.

But we want to be clear: seeking permission to file these motions to address fundamental problems with the adjudication's legal scope in no way reduces our commitment to working collaboratively with other partners here in Water Resources Inventory Area 1 (WRIA 1) to solve our water resource management problems.

We remain resolved to improve future water management outcomes community-wide through collaboration.

10/07/2025

Do you have questions about your water rights? We will be hosting water rights professionals from Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. who will take individual, 30-minute *appointments to discuss the adjudication and individual water rights.

*Appointments available on
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 or
Friday, November 14, 2025.

Cost: FREE
*Appointments are for agricultural water users in Whatcom County only.

Click here to book your appointment now: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/af5d8d2b538d44e0a78d6aa37a9b331c

10/18/2024

An upcoming free event will help local farmers and water users prepare for the state's Whatcom water lawsuit, even as legal challenges delay the process. Bill Clarke, attorney for the Ag Water Board

05/06/2024

Do you have questions about your water rights? On Friday, May 31, we will be hosting water rights professionals from Associated Earth Sciences, Inc., who will take individual, 30-minute *appointments to discuss the adjudication and individual water rights.

Cost: FREE

*Appointments are for agricultural water users in Whatcom County only.

Click here to book your appointment now: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/af5d8d2b538d44e0a78d6aa37a9b331c/page/WRInfoBooking

03/25/2024

Water, legal experts to give local residents valuable guidance in second informational event; first event in November was standing room-only...

03/18/2024

"Farmers understand and care about water, wildlife and environmental stewardship, anything less is a death sentence for us, when the farms are gone, the salmon, the wildlife, rural communities, the watersheds are doomed."

Usage tax on farmers no solution to water issues

02/20/2024

The Washington State Department of Ecology plans to file their water rights adjudication lawsuit this Spring 2024. All water rights holders in...

02/05/2024

📣 RESCHEDULED! Regional Manure Nutrient Management Training has been RESCHEDULED for Monday, February 12, 2024.

Make sure to RSVP online (tap on image below). All questions should be directed to Anna Beebe at the Whatcom Conservation District.

In-person only event will be located at the Mt Baker Rotary Building at the The The Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center. Plan to arrive at 8:45 am, and presentations will run from 9am - 2pm. Coffee, refreshments, and lunch provided.

Hosted by Whatcom Conservation District, Snohomish Conservation District, Skagit Conservation District, and Washington State Conservation Commission.

The 2024 Regional Manure Management Training is an event for mid- to large- scale manure managers from Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish County. The main audience are manure handlers: dairy, livestock, custom pumpers, and consultants.

02/05/2024

On March 27, 2024, Whatcom Family Farmers together with the Ag Water Board of Whatcom County, will host an informational event where water rights consultants from Aspect Consulting, Associated Earth Sciences, Inc., Inc., and RH2 Engineering, will discuss steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming WRIA 1 adjudication (water rights lawsuit).

Experienced water rights attorney, Bill Clarke, will also provide updated information and insight on the adjudication process and settlement possibilities.

The Washington State Department of Ecology plans to file their water rights adjudication lawsuit this Spring 2024. All water rights holders in Whatcom County, including farmers, will have to defend in court their right to use water. On March 27, 2024, Whatcom Family Farmers, together with the Ag Wat...