December is a month of making lists - holiday present lists, new year’s resolution lists, and the like. In keeping with the theme of making lists, this month’s column is an annual legal checklist of items that your ports should review annually.
Simply put, a water right is a legal right to use a certain amount of water for a beneficial purpose. The Washington Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) is responsible for managing the state's water resources and administers the permit systems for water rights for surface and ground water.
In May 2024, Ecology filed a Petition for Adjudication (the “Petition”) in the Whatcom County Superior Court to adjudicate all claims of a water right in WRIA 1 (“Adjudication”).
On June 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a final rule on how special purpose district governments, including Washington ports, must make their website content and mobile apps readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Earlier this year, the Washington Legislature passed SHB 1105, which updates the Open Public Meeting Act (“OPMA”) and requires public agencies to provide notice for public comment that includes the first and last date and time by which such public comment must be submitted in certain situations.
On June 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a final rule on how special purpose district governments, including Washington ports, must make their website content and mobile apps readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
RCW 43.31.605 established the Landlord Mitigation Program as a way to reimburse landlords for certain losses and expenses, including unpaid judgments for rent and other costs.
Knowing the Waters – This month’s column discusses what restrictions ports can put on persons attempting to access port property.
Knowing the Waters – This month’s KTW blog post is going to look at some “best practices” for managing a contentious public meeting. We covered this topic in a bit more depth with the help of Commissioner Skip Novakovich of the Port of Kennewick at the recent Commissioner Seminar in Richland.
Frank Chmelik, Jon Sitkin, and Seth Woolson selected to 2024 WA Super Lawyers List and Matt Paxton, Tim Schermetzler, and Aaron Haynes selected as honorees of the Rising Stars list.
