Court to consider extending water adjudication claim deadline

Whatcom County cited 'uncertainty and confusion' in a request to the court

By: Sophia Gates

Outlets: Cascadia Daily News

Published: February 8, 2026

Words: 691

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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Whatcom County will be allowed to file a motion to extend the May 1 claim-filing deadline in the state’s sweeping water rights lawsuit, a judge ruled.

The adjudication process, triggered by the Department of Ecology in May 2024, is expected to take more than a decade and will sort out the legitimacy and scope of each water right in Water Resource Area 1 and its priority level during shortages.

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