BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A temporary judge has been assigned to the upcoming water adjudication process in Whatcom County.

Whatcom Superior Court judges announced Friday that Judge David Freeman will serve on an interim basis to oversee the process.

Judge Freeman attended the National Judicial College’s comprehensive training program, “Dividing the Waters” in 2022, and will attend that same program again next month.

The judges said Judge Freeman has handled many complex cases in his four years on the bench in Whatcom County, including numerous civil and criminal trials.

Pending approval by the Whatcom County Council, the state governor will appoint a new judge later this year.

You can learn more about the water adjudication process in the feature story by KGMI’s Joe Teehan. He talked to the state Department of Ecology’s adjudication manager to help explain everything you need to know about the process.