NORTH BEND – A legislative bill that could make it easier for a city surrounded by water to actually tap into those resources was overwhelmingly approved by the state House of Representatives last week.

House Bill 1338 would amend state law and make it easier for North Bend to gain the proper permits to put an end to water rights issues that have forced a 4-year building moratorium within city limits.

“It doesn’t mean it solves all our water rights issues, but two of the three onerous issues have [potentially] been resolved,” said an elated Mayor Joan Simpson.

Simpson and city officials have been busy pleading their case in Olympia over the past few weeks in a successful effort to amend the bill to better suit North Bend’s needs. The bill is one of a number being proposed by Rep. Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham) as part of her decade-long push to reform the state’s water laws.

“Water is too valuable a resource for our citizens and communities – and it’s too important a tool for our economy – to let our state continue without fair and flexible water policy,” said Linville.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Vaklley Record