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May 3rd, 2007

SKAGIT COUNTY PREVAILS OVER ANACORTES IN WATER RIGHTS APPEAL
County seeks to dismiss Anacortes’ three other water rights lawsuits filed against County

SKAGIT COUNTY – On April 26, 2007, the Skagit County Hearings Examiner dismissed the City of Anacortes’ two SEPA appeals against Skagit County over rural water rights.

“Skagit County remains committed to regional cooperation on water issues as provided by the 1996 Memorandum of Understanding, and is proactively addressing all legitimate environmental concerns based on sound science,” said Skagit County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Will Honea, “However, Skagit County and the State Department of Ecology cannot give Anacortes veto power over water regulation countywide.”

Just this year alone, Skagit County has spent more than $50,000 defending itself against Anacortes’ lawsuits, said Honea.

“At the end of the day, this is a question of fiscal responsibility. Local governments shouldn’t be wasting taxpayer money suing each other but should be working together,” said Honea.

The orders granting motion to dismiss can be viewed online at www.skagitcounty.net

For further information, contact Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Will Honea at 360-336-9400