Judge to decide if Everett initiative vote for defending Snohomish river watershed should be nullified

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Jennifer Langbehn is expected to rule next month on a lawsuit that seeks to nullify Initiative 24-03, a measure granting rights to the Snohomish Watershed within the City of Everett. This initiative, which allows residents to advocate for the watershed's legal rights in court, was passed by voters with a 57% approval rate last November. Opponents of the initiative, including several construction and development associations, argue that it contradicts existing environmental regulations and presents vague legal language. The City of Everett, which initially defended the initiative, has aligned with the plaintiffs, claiming it disrupts the balance of environmental laws already in place. Proponents of the initiative contend it embodies local self-governance and should not be easily invalidated by private interests.

The plaintiffs maintain that the initiative's language creates ambiguity regarding what constitutes a violation of the watershed's rights. The case's outcome could set a significant precedent for environmental initiatives in local governance. Judge Langbehn plans to carefully review the arguments before making her decision.