Water Quality | Rosemere Neighborhood Association

Lead in Drinking Water: England & Wales

July 16, 2009 Author: admin

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The European Drinking Water Directive of 1998 tightened overall standards for drinking water in Europe. As a result, steps have been taken in England and Wales to reduce lead concentrations and mitigate lead poisoning in drinking water.

Lead in drinking water can cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Lead pipes were used in the UK up to the 1980s both for connecting a property to the water supply main and for internal plumbing, due to lead’s strength, malleable nature and resistance to corrosion. In the UK, about 40% of properties are supplied via a lead pipe. Elsewhere in Europe, the estimated percentage of properties supplied by lead pipe-work varies from 5% to 50%. [Read More...]

Comments wanted on Camp Bonneville Cleanup Plans

May 29, 2009 Author: admin

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WA Department of Ecology News Release – May 28, 2009

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks comments on draft documents related to cleaning up part of the Camp Bonneville military reservation in Clark County.

This phase of the ongoing cleanup focuses on the Central Impact Target Area. The former artillery target area covers roughly 465 acres. [Read More...]

Energy Northwest Cancels Plans to Build Kalama Power Facility

May 29, 2009 Author: admin

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This is a 2544-ton-per-day coal gasification plant on the Wabash River in Indiana. (Photo: Department of Energy)

Energy Northwest has withdrawn its application for the Pacific Mountain Energy Facility (PMEC) in Kalama. In a letter this month to the State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), Energy Northwest explained its decision saying, “Our efforts have determined that the financial and economic conditions do not support a project of this size.”

Originally slated to be a $1.5 billion coal gasification plant, Energy Northwest had amended its plans for a coal powered plant in favor of natural gas in response to environmental objections raised by the Rosemere Neighborhood Association and Columbia Riverkeeper, Willapa Audubon Society, Washington Environmental Council, Sierra Club’s Cascade Chapter and Northwest Energy Coalition.

[Read More...]

More Delays At Hanford Cleanup

May 14, 2009 Author: admin

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Hanford Single-Shell C Tank Farm during construction, November 4, 1944

On May 12, 2009, a public meeting and hearing was conducted by the Hanford Tri-Party Agencies to discuss a tentative agreement to modify cleanup action plans at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Tri-Party officials present included Matt McCormick, Dave Brockman, and Stacy Charboneau, U.S. Department of Energy; Ron Skinnarland, Washington State Department of Ecology; and Rod Lobos, US Environmental Protection Agency. [Read More...]

EPA to Perform Preliminary Superfund Assessment of Camp Bonneville

May 1, 2009 Author: admin

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United States Howitzers in World War II

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the Rosemere Neighborhood Association (RNA) today that it has determined that performing a Preliminary Assessment of Former Camp Bonneville Military Reservation is warranted.

On February 3, 2009, RNA petitioned EPA to conduct a preliminary assessment of the known and suspected release of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants at Camp Bonneville, the former US Military installation in Clark County, Washington (just outside Vancouver). The EPA’s decision means it will assess the Camp Bonneville site to determine whether it warrants attention under the Superfund Program.

Click here to read EPA’s letter EPA Petition for Preliminary Assessment at Former Camp Bonneville

Clark County Public Works Department Cited for Stormwater Discharge Violation

April 29, 2009 Author: admin

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Clark County Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

The state Department of Ecology has issued a $2,000 civil penalty to the Clark County Public Works Department for violating technical requirements of a stormwater discharge permit at the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, county officials announced today.

Click here to read Clark County Press Release RE Stormwater Violation (PDF format)

Press Release: Sixty Day Notice of Intent to file a Citizens’ Lawsuit Against Clark County

April 27, 2009 Author: admin

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Stormwater outfall during dry weather conditions

PRESS RELEASE****PRESS RELEASE****PRESS RELEASE

Today Rosemere Neighborhood Association delivered a Sixty Day Notice of Intent to file a Citizens’ Lawsuit against Clark County, Washington, under the Clean Water Act. A copy of the Sixty Day Notice is attached to this press release. Rosemere Neighborhood Association is represented by attorneys Theda Braddock, of Steilacoom, Washington, and Paul E. Brain of Smith, Alling, Lane, PS, of Tacoma, Washington. [Read More...]

Rosemere Neighborhood Association Honored with Public Health Community Award

April 24, 2009 Author: admin

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On April 22, 2009, Clark County’s Board of Health (also known as the Clark County Commissioners) presented community awards to various organizations and individuals that have worked toward improving public health and safety. RNA was awarded a certificate of honorable mention as a “Community organization advocating for health promotion, disease prevention, and social justice through water quality advocacy and monitoring and improving neighborhood livability.” A total of ten community awards were given, including medical and dental caregivers, and health educators.

Click here to view the 2008 Public Health Community Award recipients and RNA’s Health Award Certificate in full view (pdf format). [Read More...]

Rosemere V. EPA, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Case – April 14, 2009

April 16, 2009 Author: admin

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On April 14, 2009, oral arguments were made in the Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s (RNA) appeal in its federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failure to conduct an appropriate investigation into allegations of retaliation. RNA filed a Title VI Environmental Justice complaint with EPA in February 2003 alleging that the City of Vancouver had discriminated in the provision of municipal services in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the Title VI complaint alleged that the city had discriminated against Environmental Justice neighborhoods by failing to address failing septic systems, the lack of a comprehensive sewer network, contaminated ground and surface waters, poor air quality, industrial pollutants, urban blight and decay, and long-range planning that fails to alleviate these stresses. RNA contends the EPA failed in its fiduciary duties to properly investigate the Title VI complaint which has led to ongoing legal proceedings. [Read More...]

Raw Sewage Discharged to Burnt Bridge Creek for Years – April 11, 2009

April 13, 2009 Author: admin

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ADDED 5/11/09: This story makes headlines across the country! High Country News reports it here: “Heard around the West: Deja Poo”

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On April 8, City inspections of a local stormdrain system that borders Rosemere found a dangerous cross connection with sewage lines. The problem was identified using specialized remote cameras in the stormdrain system. Unfortunately, the cross connection occurs at the Southwest Regional Office of the Washington State Department of Ecology. This means that raw sewage from a large and heavily staffed state office dedicated to environmental protection has literally been discharging to Burnt Bridge Creek for at least a dozen years.

[Read More...]