State of Washington
Office of the Governor
September 29, 2003
I am pleased to endorse The Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s grant proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund a collaborative process to address the contamination of the Burnt Bridge Creek area.
The Burnt Bridge Creek Basin includes some of the most polluted properties in the Vancouver area. Identification of the sources of contamination, and planning for their cleanup, will involve all interested parties and stakeholders. I commend The Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s proactive efforts to address this matter.
In addition to offering my support for your grant, I would like to offer staff assistance by requesting that a representative from my office participate in the process and provide me with progress reports.
Thank you for the opportunity to endorse The Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s grant proposal. I look forward to a successful outcome on this issue.
Sincerely,
Gary Locke
Governor
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State of Washington Department of Health
Michael McNickle, RS, Section Manager
Local Health Support Section
Office of Environmental Health & Safety
September 12, 2003
“The Washington State Department of Health enthusiastically endorses and wishes to participate in the constructive engagement through collaborative problem solving process to help solve the ongoing water quality problems plaguing Burnt Bridge Creek and other water bodies in Vancouver… I look forward to working with you on this project in the near future….”
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Washington State Department of Ecology
Iloba Odum
Vancouver Field Office Director
September 25, 2003
“…The Washington State Department of Ecology (is) in support of a proposed coordination effort to improve water quality in the Burnt Bridge Creek drainage area in and around the City of Vancouver. This agreement is a statement of good will to participate in a “Collaborative Problem-Solving” project… Ecology’s primary attention, participation and goal will be to support improved ground and surface water quality in the Burnt Bridge Creek drainage basin, generally within the City of Vancouver….”
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Monica Kirk, Special Counsel
Office for Civil RIghts, Enforcement and Environmental Justice
September 25, 2003
By this letter, I am affirming our interest in continuing our relationship with RNA and other partners, regardless of whether RNA’s application for the EPA Collaborative Problemsolving Grant is successful.
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Clark County Board of Commissioners’ Office
Craig A. Pridemore
Betty Sue Morris
Judie Stanton
September 24, 2003
The Clark County Health Department will participate in the EPA collaborative Problem Solving Grant in an attempt to help solve water quality issues in the Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed.
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Washington State Department of Transportation
Southwest Regional Office
H. Michael Clark
September 19, 2003
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) wishes to support the collaborative problem solving efforts to protect Burnt Bridge Creek and other bodies of water in Vancouver from contamination. WSDOT supports the Environmental Justice Grant that is being prepared by the Rosemere Neighborhood Association and its efforts in attaining environmental benefits for the community.
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Clark County Trout Unlimited
Scotte Hughes
Vice President
September 25, 2003
First off, we would like to commend the Rosemere Neighborhood Association on your efforts to establish a watershed council for Southwest Washington. It is these citizen organized groups that can have such a positive effect in our community.
The Clark County Chapter of Trout Unlimited is very enthused to be able to lend our support to your efforts to eliminate the fecal coliform waste contaminating our waterways and environment. We can share some of the lessons we have learned during the current restoration project we are involved in on Burnt Bridge Creek. Our membership includes a fish biologist and many members eager to volunteer a strong back and shovel.
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Ecotrust/Salmon Nation
Howard Silverman
Communications Manager, Ecotrust
September 23, 2003
I am writing as a senior member of the Salmon Nation Team on behalf of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association. The Salmon Nation project represents a growing constituency of peoples and organizations, across the urban rural divide, that support ecologically sound community and economic programs. Salmon Nation seeks to recognize and honor responsible stewardship and citizenship.
The Rosemere Neighborhood Association project to establish a watershed council in Clark County, Washington, will make a strong contribution to our community by helping to protect the waterways of Southwest Washington. This is a critical project at this point in time because of recent reports of toxic algal blooms in Vancouver Lake. The Rosemere Neighborhood Association proposes to address the sources of contamination in the Lake through measures that include: providing community outreach on septic management, encouraging livestock owners to observe best management practices, and ensuring that the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Codes work to mitigate contamination.
We would like to submit this letter in support of the terrific efforts of this group.
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Clark Conservation District
Dean P. Longrie, Ph.D., Chairman
September 18, 2003
Clark Conservation District will:
- Participate in the formation and work of a Watershed Council as a forum for collaborative problem solving regarding urban watershed issues.
- Provide technical information reflecting CCD activities and interests as they pertain to the goals of the Watershed Council…
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Friends of Trees
Jane Foreman
Executive Director
(Our) staff (is) to design, plan and organize tree-planting project(s), trained crew leaders to supervise volunteers to plant trees to help protect identified waterbodies.
“More Environmental Justice Means Better Environmental Protection”: Everyone in the watershed will benefit; the particular emphasis will be on involvement for the disadvantaged and ethnic minority populations.
Other letters of support were received from: The National Policy Consensus Center, The Clark County Natural Resource Council, Addy Lab, Tombstone – Citizens for Advocacy and Action, and Clark County Neighbors.
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Letter to the Editor, Columbian
Join in saving lake
October 16, 2003
It is absurd for anyone to believe that we, as a community, should site idly by while Vancouver Lake dies.
It is no secret that the lake and the surrounding drainage basins, Burnt Bridge and Salmon creeks, have been polluted with discharge from failed septic tanks and that this has been one of the main causes of the water pollution for many years. The public’s health and the drinking water supply are at risk.
For years, there has been a consistent lack of cooperation among jurisdictions to manage and protect our vital water resources; the political excuse for this inaction is a lack of funding. Thus, we now own the legacy of being one of the most heavily polluted areas in our state.
The Rosemere Neighborhood Association has submitted a grant application to the Environmental Protection Agency to fund a collaborative problem-solving process, where many community stakeholders can commit to finding viable solutions to the water contamination. This grant application has been endorsed by Gov. Gary Locke and various local, state and federal entities. This is a great opportunity.
The Native Americans say it best: “When the last river dies, man may finally realize he cannot drink his money and survive.”
Dvija Michael Bertish
Vancouver
