WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Water users in Whatcom County could get some extra time to file for adjudication as the initial deadline approaches.

The county asked the court last month to extend the May 1 deadline to file, claiming there’s been uncertainty and confusion regarding the current deadline. Several days later, Judge David Freeman allowed the county to file a motion to extend, which will be heard on April 21 as first reported by Cascadia Daily News.

The original court summons notes the adjudication filing deadline as May 1, or one year from the date that water users received their claim forms, whichever is later.

But according to the county’s court filing, it claims more than 25% of water users haven’t received their claim forms yet.

Some people received their claim forms by mail, but some are being notified through publication in a newspaper, which the county says has sparked confusion.

Adjudication for the Nooksack River Basin began in May 2024 and is characterized as a massive lawsuit that will legally determine who has water rights.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Ecology estimates just over 1,600 people have filed claim forms in Whatcom County Superior Court as of last month.

It comes as Whatcom County Public works has scheduled two upcoming drop-in events at the Lynden Library on Feb. 18 and 25.