WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A permanent judge has been chosen to oversee the water adjudication process in Whatcom County.

Whatcom County Superior Court judges announced on Wednesday, July 24, that Judge David Freeman will manage the process after being selected as a temporary judge in April. The judges say Freeman is uniquely qualified to preside over the process after attending multiple training sessions on water law adjudication.

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

The decision comes after Gov. Jay Inslee recently appointed a fifth judge to Whatcom Superior Court, which Wednesday’s news release says will help ease the court’s workload with Freeman busy.

To read more on the adjudication process and how you may be affected by it, click here for previous coverage from MyBellinghamNow.com.