Deadline Extended for Whatcom County Water Adjudication Paperwork

More assistance offered as 25% of impacted users haven't received claim forms

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:36pm

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Whatcom County has extended the deadline to submit water adjudication paperwork to June 1, 2027, after receiving only 1,600 completed claim forms out of over 33,000 that were mailed out. The county says 25% of impacted water users haven't received any claim forms, which were initially sent out last spring.

Why it matters

This extension is crucial for Whatcom County residents who rely on water access, as the original May 1 deadline would have been difficult for many to meet. The additional time and assistance offered will help ensure more residents can properly submit their paperwork and maintain their water rights.

The details

In January, Whatcom County officials requested an extension after the low response rate, and on March 9, Superior Court Judge David Freeman approved pushing the deadline to June 1, 2027. The county is now scheduling additional adjudication workshops and offering Saturday office hours at local libraries to provide hands-on assistance to residents filling out the claim forms.

  • The initial deadline was set for May 1, 2026.
  • Whatcom County requested an extension in January 2026.
  • The new deadline was extended to June 1, 2027 on March 9, 2026.

The players

Judge David Freeman

The Superior Court judge who approved the deadline extension.

Whatcom Family Farmers

An organization that praised the deadline extension, noting many would have struggled to meet the original May deadline.

Whatcom County Public Works

The county department hosting adjudication workshops and library office hours to assist residents with the paperwork.

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What they’re saying

“Many would struggle to meet the original May deadline if the extension wasn't approved.”

— Fred Likkel, Executive Director, Whatcom Family Farmers

What’s next

Whatcom County Public Works will be hosting an adjudication workshop on Thursday, March 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center in Maple Falls. They will also be offering Saturday office hours at the North Fork Library on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents to receive hands-on assistance with completing the claim forms.

The takeaway

This deadline extension and increased assistance from Whatcom County demonstrates the importance of ensuring all impacted water users can properly submit their adjudication paperwork. With 25% of residents still lacking the necessary claim forms, this extra time and support will be crucial for maintaining water rights across the region.