“DAIRY FARMERS realize that we are in crises,” said Fred Likkel (left) of the county’s Dairy Federation and a principal with environmental consulting firm N3. He helped form Whatcom Family Dairies. Harold VanBerkum (right) joined the board of the new, expanded version of that group – Whatcom Family Farmers. (Farm photo courtesy of Lou Nicksic Photography; individual photos courtesy of Chris Baron/Baron Visuals)
A Number of Water Issues on the Table Other issues about water threaten the future of farming, such as tribal rights. “We sat down with tribal leaders and listened to their proposals about addressing water issues in the county, particularly in-stream flows in the Nooksack and streams,” Scott Bedlington said. “There is basis for positive dialog and we are committed to addressing concerns and making changes. Tribal leaders say they agree that farming is important for the environmental health and future of our community. If we can agree on mutual goals, I think we can go a long way to resolving some of these difficult issues.” Department of Ecology controls water rights in the state, and dealing with DoE has proven particularly challenging for farmers over the last few years. Maberry said, “Farmers were told to apply for water rights and they would work them through. But nothing ever happens, and the basis for granting or not granting rights keeps shifting around.” One major challenge is “hydraulic continuity.” Farmers who received rights after 1985 were granted “interruptible rights” based on the amount of water in the Nooksack and streams. These rights to irrigate are subject to the amount of water in the river, as set by Ecology. A number of farmers had irrigation rights cut off recently due to exceptionally dry conditions and very low stream flows, causing damage
to crops. These farmers would like to transfer their surface water rights in exchange for groundwater rights, but Ecology is treating groundwater withdrawal as equivalent to surface water withdrawal. “This is not justified by the science,” Maberry said. “Hydrologists know that the connection between ground and surface water varies based on a number of factors. Nor is it required by the courts, as they (DoE) sometimes claim. Just because they can say no does not mean they always should.” Board members agree that if Whatcom Family Farmers is successful in getting the attention of the Department of Ecology on the issue of the discharge permit, it will help in addressing other issues relating to water access. “They need to know that it is not just farmers who are hurt by their inappropriate actions,” Maberry said. “They need to see that in our communities there are a lot of people who would rather see cows and crops than concrete and cul-de-sacs. They need to see the big picture, and voters in the state need to help them see it.” For more information about Whatcom Family Farmers and to learn how concerned citizens and voters can get involved, go to www.whatcomfamilyfarmers.org, on Facebook at facebook.com/whatcomfamilyfarmers and on Twitter @whatcomfamfarmers.
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