NOOKSACK ADJUDICATION UPDATE

In the latest step on the road to water rights adjudication in the Nooksack area, affected individuals have started receiving postcards in the mail telling them about a summons they’ll receive in the next few weeks. On March 17, 2025, Ecology will send the summons packet as certified mail via the U.S. Postal Service to all affected water users in the Nooksack Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA 1). Inside the 12” x 9” envelope, recipients will find more than 30 pages of essential documents including the summons, a court claim form, and detailed instructions for filling it out.

• Because the packages are being sent using certified mail, they cannot be left in a mailbox or on a doorstep. An adult must sign for the certified mail upon delivery.

• The U.S. Postal Service will make one attempt to deliver to each addressee. If delivery cannot be completed, recipients should go to their local post office to pick up their packet. The post office will have the packets for about three weeks and then return any unclaimed packets to Ecology.

• After about three weeks, recipients will need to pick up their packet at Ecology’s field office in Bellingham.

• Ecology will publish a list of people who didn’t sign for their certified mail in a local newspaper.

Water users can fill out the claim forms and submit them online. Or they can fill out the paper forms and either mail them or hand deliver them to the Whatcom County Superior Court. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2026.

Anyone who needs assistance with their claim forms can call 360-255-4406. After leaving a message, someone will return your call.

You can also e-mail our adjudications staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..