Legislators recently approved Senate Bill 5199 led by 42nd District Republican Senator Doug Erickson.
Supporters say the bill will force the State Department of Ecology to recognize berry farmers with drip-irrigation systems for their efforts to conserve water.
Senator Erickson says resolving water rights issues that have been in turmoil for more than 20 years is critical to save jobs and keep our area as an agricultural leader.
The bill, if approved will narrowly affect Whatcom County because it only applies to areas where there are at least 6,000 acres being used for raspberry production.
