Solutions

Hirst decision protects salmon and water rights for farmers, tribes

Water rights across Washington is an extremely complex area of law, and it affects all of us. So what is the fair and equitable distribution of this most precious resource?

As Washingtonians, one of our core principles is standing up for a just society, and that includes defending people’s civil rights. We fight for the oppressed. We state firmly and unequivocally that discrimination is wrong. We push back against attempts by the majority to violate the constitutionally protected rights of the minority. This is who we are. Legislators should keep this in mind as we work to find a permanent, bipartisan solution to the Hirst issue.

Water rights is an extremely complex area of law, and it affects all of us. So what is the fair and equitable distribution of this most precious resource? State Rep. Derek Stanford is a Democrat from Bothell representing the 1st Legislative District. State Rep. David Sawyer is a Democrat from Parkland representing the 29th Legislative District.

With the Hirst decision, our state’s Supreme Court ruled counties need to ensure sufficient water is available before a permit-exempt well can be drilled. The Hirst suit was brought on behalf of agricultural interests that sued over […]

Full article: Hirst decision protects salmon and water rights for farmers, tribes