Judge's water ruling a blow to builders: Developers denied same access to rights as government

"Developers and cities will have a harder time hoarding future water rights under a King County judge's ruling Wednesday -- a clear victory for the environment, said activists, Indian tribes and fishermen.

Superior Court Judge Jim Rogers ruled that the Legislature overstepped its boundaries by passing a law classifying developers as local governments when it comes to obtaining state-granted rights to use water taken from rivers, streams and the ground."