𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀! 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱!!

🛑 This past Monday marked the start of a major legal process that could drastically affect your property rights! The first wave of Adjudication Claim Forms and Summonses has begun mailing to over 30,000 property owners in Whatcom County as part of the WRIA 1 (Nooksack) water rights adjudication. Don't ignore this—your property's future could depend on it!

1. Who's at Risk?

• Anyone using water from wells—permit-exempt or not, shared wells, small water associations, water districts. If you have a well, you're likely on the list!
• Those on municipal water systems may be exempt, but it's crucial to confirm your status.

2. What You Received

• A hefty packet in a 9"X12" envelope, stuffed with over 30 pages including your Summons and Claim Form, plus critical filing instructions.

3. Delivery is Just the Start

• Sent by certified mail, requiring your signature❗️ Miss this and you could miss your chance to defend your rights.
• No signature? The packet goes back to the post office, then potentially to the Department of Ecology if unclaimed, putting your rights at further risk.
• Post Office Holding: The postal service will hold the packet for approximately three weeks. After this period, unclaimed packets will be returned to the Washington Department of Ecology's Bellingham Field Office.
• Packet Retrieval: If unclaimed from the post office, you must then retrieve your packet from the Ecology Field Office at 913 Squalicum Way, #101, Bellingham, WA 98225.
• Final Notice: Ecology will eventually publish a list of defendants who have not claimed their packets in a local "paper of record." This is the last effort to notify included parties. After this publication, it becomes the client's sole responsibility to claim their packet and file on time, or risk losing their water rights.

4. Deadlines are Looming

• ABSOLUTE DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2026. File your claim form electronically with the Superior Court by then or risk losing your water rights.
• This isn't just paperwork—it's about securing evidence of your water usage, a process you have three years to complete but should start NOW.

5. Get Informed: Public Presentation

• When: Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Noon
• Where: Whatcom Home & Lifestyle Show, Lynden Fairgrounds
• Bob Carmichael and I will break down the legalities, filing processes, and evidence gathering. This is free and vital—do not miss it!

Resources at Your Fingertips:

• Adjudication details: Link
• Ecology's WRIA 1 Adjudication Page: Link
• Homeowner guide: Link
• Web map tool for property documents: Link
• More resources: Link

Expert Help Available!

List of consultants ready to assist with water usage documentation:

• Aspect Consulting, LLC - Bellingham, WA - 360-746-8964
• Landau Associates, Inc. - Seattle, WA - 206.631.8680
• GeoEngineers, Inc. - Bellingham, WA - 360-647-1510
• Mott McDonald, LLC - Seattle, WA - 206-838-2886
• GSI Water Solutions, Inc. - Portland, OR - 503-239-8799
• RH2 Engineering - Bellingham, WA - 360-676-0836
• Robinson-Noble, Inc. - Woodinville, WA - 425-488-0599
• Water & Natural Resource Group, Inc. - Spokane, WA - 509-468-9395



This is a defining moment for every water-using property owner in Whatcom County. Don’t stand by as your rights evaporate. Act now to protect your property and secure your future!

For guidance and more information, contact me directly. We’re in this together, and I’m here to help!

Andi Dyer
Andi Dyer Real Estate
(360) 734-6479
andidyer.com