Tuesday, Jan 29 2013 4:03PM

Washington organizations host workshop to educate farmers on their water rights.

Four organizations in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, are holding a joint workshop designed to educate farmers on their water rights, a topic that has resulted in legal disputes across the United States. 

Sno-Valley Tilth, Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance, Washington Land Trust and the King Conservation District will host the workshop in an attempt to help farmers navigate the complicated and historic laws that relate to obtaining water rights, and how access to water system services can be lost if farmers do not follow proper procedures, according to the Snoqualmie Valley Record. Although the area is largely surrounded by water resources, agricultural use of this resource is limited by a complicated set of state laws, the news source explains. 

In addition to helping farmers learn about the historic water rights that exist and how to protect or claim them, farmers will also have the opportunity to consult with professionals on the matter. 

Although Washington appears to have an abundance of water resources, a number of legal battles have broken out in recent years over water rights. Bridgeport, Washington, and the state Department of Ecology only recently reached a three-year truce regarding a 20-year dispute over how much water the city can use. In addition, the state is often inundated with requests from developers, cities and organizations for water access rights, which can take months to process and often lead to costly lawsuits. 

For more information, check out this resource: Snoqualmie Valley Record