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	<title>Rosemere Neighborhood Association &#187; clark county</title>
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		<title>BIG WIN FOR CLEAN WATER: CLARK COUNTY AGREES TO IMPROVE SALMON HABITAT AND COMPLY WITH STORMWATER POLLUTION LAWS</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/12/18/big-win-for-clean-water-clark-county-agrees-to-improve-salmon-habitat-and-comply-with-stormwater-pollution-laws/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/12/18/big-win-for-clean-water-clark-county-agrees-to-improve-salmon-habitat-and-comply-with-stormwater-pollution-laws/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2013 04:37:11 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[December 18, 2013 Contacts: John Felton, Rosemere Neighborhood Association, 360‐993‐4939 Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper, 503‐348‐2436 BIG WIN FOR CLEAN WATER: CLARK COUNTY AGREES TO IMPROVE SALMON HABITAT AND COMPLY WITH STORMWATER POLLUTION LAWS County agrees to comply with stormwater pollution laws, fund significant stream restoration in lieu of potential federal penalties (Vancouver, WA) Clark County Commissioners voted today to improve salmon habitat and reduce dirty stormwater pollution as part of a binding settlement agreement with neighborhood and conservation groups. “This is a win for clean water and healthy salmon runs in Clark County,” said John Felton, chair of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association. “This is a good result for the community as a whole.” Rosemere Neighborhood Association along with Columbia Riverkeeper and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center challenged Clark County’s violation of laws designed to protect salmon and reduce pollution. After the County lost several rounds of litigation, the County has agreed to take steps to correct the problem. Clark County agreed to comply with the Clean Water Act and to provide $3 million in funding to an independent third party, the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, that will oversee projects to protect and restore Clark County rivers and streams harmed by stormwater pollution. The settlement will need to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice and the federal court overseeing the lawsuit. “This agreement means cleaner water and more salmon for the region as a whole,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “The County will now act to reduce polluted stormwater and invest in protecting salmon. It’s a win‐win.” Stormwater pollution, which is created when rain mixes with debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flows into storm sewer systems and then into local waterways, is the number one source of water pollution in urban and developing<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/12/18/big-win-for-clean-water-clark-county-agrees-to-improve-salmon-habitat-and-comply-with-stormwater-pollution-laws/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>LANDMARK DECISION: Federal Judge Rules Clark County Violated Permit, Clean Water Act from 2008-2011</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/06/07/landmark-decision-federal-judge-rules-clark-county-violated-permit-clean-water-act-from-2008-2011/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:04:37 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[US District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled Thursday Clark County violated their Phase I Permit from August 2008 to December 2011 in what marks a landmark decision for stormwater controls in Washington State. Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper, and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center represented by Earthjustice attorneys Jan Hasselman and Janette Brimmer began the fight for enforcing EPA Clean Water standards for polluted stormwater mitigation in 2010 (see story here) In January 2011, the Washington State Pollution Control Board ruled that Clark County’s “alternative” plan for monitoring stormwater was illegal (story here). Clark County subsequently filed an appeal of the Pollution Board’s ruling, but in December 2011, Judge Leighton ruled that pending their appeal, Clark County must comply with Washington State’s stormwater guidelines (story here). Most recently, in May, Judge Leighton found Clark County’s argument for modified stormwater controls “makes no sense,” as the Pollution Control Hearings Board decision was clear that Clark County’s modified Agreed Order with Ecology was “unlawful” and the Permit Modification was “invalid.” &#8220;We are elated that our efforts to protect the environment have yielded such a positive result,&#8221; said John Felton, Chairman, Rosemere Neighborhood Association. From the Summary Judgment ruling: Even viewed in the light most favorable to Clark County, the evidence supports no conclusion other than Clark County is liable for violating the 2007 Phase 1 Permit during this time period. The 2007 Phase 1 Permit required Clark County to adopt the default stormwater flow control standard or an approved alternative by August 16, 2008. Clark County, however, to adopt a flow control ordinance that complied with the Permit. On December 28, 2011, this Court enjoined Clark County from issuing any permit or authorization that fails to meet the Phase 1 Permit’s flow control standards. Prior to the injunction, Clark County authorized numerous development<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/06/07/landmark-decision-federal-judge-rules-clark-county-violated-permit-clean-water-act-from-2008-2011/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>WA State Supreme Court Denies Clark County&#8217;s Stormwater Appeal</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/03/06/wa-state-supreme-court-denies-clark-countys-stormwater-appeal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/03/06/wa-state-supreme-court-denies-clark-countys-stormwater-appeal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 02:41:10 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[In a unanimous decision, the Washington State Supreme Court has declined to review Clark County&#8217;s appeal of the WA State Court of Appeals stormwater ruling. In September 2012, Washington State Court of Appeals upheld the Pollution Control Hearings Board ruling that Clark County’s weak stormwater plan allowed too much polluted runoff and violates both State and Federal laws to protect clean water. For more on that ruling read here: WA Court of Appeals Rules County’s Plan to Manage Polluted Runoff Illegal Clark County subsequently appealed that decision to the Washington State Supreme Court which on March 5, 2013 issued a 2 page decision denying Clark County&#8217;s petition. View the Washington Supreme Court ruling here: WA Supreme Court Rosemere v Clark County Order Related articles: From The Columbian: &#8220;Rosemere Neighborhood Association, an environmental advocacy group that, along with Columbia Riverkeeper and Northwest Environmental Defense Center, have been winning at every level in their attempt to force Clark County to follow state default standards for managing polluted runoff.&#8221; &#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.Read the full article here: Clark County dealt stormwater setback: State high court refuses to review unfavorable ruling From The Oregonian: Washington Supreme Court rejects Clark County&#8217;s stormwater appeal]]></description>
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		<title>Federal Judge Lifts Stay on Clark County Stormwater Case</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/03/02/federal-judge-lifts-stay-on-clark-county-stormwater-case/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/03/02/federal-judge-lifts-stay-on-clark-county-stormwater-case/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:54:21 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton has lifted a stay on a federal lawsuit against Clark County regarding their stormwater management plan. The injunction was issued against Clark County in December 2011, ordering it to follow the state&#8217;s default stormwater rules while its stormwater plan was under review by the state Court of Appeals. The stay had been put in place pending the outcome of state court appeals of proceedings before the Pollution Control Hearings Board due to concerns the federal and state cases would conflict. From Leighton&#8217;s decision: &#8220;The case involves Clark County’s municipal storm sewer system, and the Department of Ecology’s 2007 Phase I Stormwater General Permit for that system. Ecology subsequently issued Clark County a Notice of Violation, alleging that the flow control policy was inadequate. In 2010, Clark County and Ecology entered into an Agreed Order. Rosemere successfully challenged that Agreed Order before the PCHB, claiming (among other things) that it was not compliant with the Clean Water Act. The PCHB’s determination that the Agreed Order violated the Phase I permit and the Clean Water Act was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. While those proceedings were pending, Rosemere brought this federal case. It seeks to enforce the Phase I permit, and penalties. This Court stayed the proceedings pending the resolution of the state court action.&#8221; In September, the Court of Appeals upheld a ruling by the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, which said a compromise developed between the county and the state Department of Ecology was not backed by science and was insufficient under federal and state clean water laws. Judge Leighton lifted the stay saying, &#8220;The issues in these cases were never overlapping; they were simply similar. That similarity has been greatly diminished in the aftermath of the Court of Appeals’ decision, and the<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/03/02/federal-judge-lifts-stay-on-clark-county-stormwater-case/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>WA Court of Appeals Rules County’s Plan to Manage Polluted Runoff Illegal</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/09/26/wa-court-of-appeals-rules-county%e2%80%99s-plan-to-manage-polluted-runoff-illegal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/09/26/wa-court-of-appeals-rules-county%e2%80%99s-plan-to-manage-polluted-runoff-illegal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:35:34 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2012 Contacts: Jan Hasselman, Earthjustice Dvija Michael Bertish, Rosemere Neighborhood Association Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper Mark Riskedahl, Northwest Environmental Defense Center WA Court of Appeals Rules County’s Plan to Manage Polluted Runoff Illegal Taxpayer subsidy, fish-killing loopholes scrapped by judges as violations to clean water laws Tacoma, WA &#8211; In a major decision with statewide impacts in Washington State, a court of appeals ruled Clark County’s weak development rules that allow too much polluted runoff violate state and federal laws to protect clean water. The ruling, announced late Tuesday, signals an end to the county’s on-going failure to protect rivers, streams and salmon threatened with extinction. “We applaud the court of appeals for recognizing that Clark County’s refusal to comply with clean water laws is unfair to other cities and counties in our state, not to mention industries, that continue to work hard to clean up our polluted waterways,” said Dvija Michael Bertish of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association. “As residents of Clark County who enjoy fishing and swimming in our local rivers, we’re fed up with our elected officials’ attempts to compromise our health and safety—especially when the law requires otherwise.” Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper, and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, represented by Earthjustice, challenged Clark County’s adoption of development standards that were too weak to prevent significant harm to the county’s already-stressed rivers and streams. “The Court of Appeals ruling comes down to this—clean water is our future and everyone needs to do their share to keep our water clean,” said Jan Hasselman from Earthjustice, who is representing the groups. Polluted runoff, or stormwater, is a toxic stew of metals, oil, grease, pesticide, herbicides, bacteria and nutrients. When it rains, the toxic runoff drains off roofs and streets in amounts that seriously degrade<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/09/26/wa-court-of-appeals-rules-county%e2%80%99s-plan-to-manage-polluted-runoff-illegal/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>Media Advisory: State Appeals Court Hears Arguments by County to Circumvent Clean Water Act</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/06/28/media-advisory-state-appeals-court-hears-arguments-by-county-to-circumvent-clean-water-act/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/06/28/media-advisory-state-appeals-court-hears-arguments-by-county-to-circumvent-clean-water-act/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:18:59 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Media Advisory for July 2, 2012 CONTACTS: Jan Hasselman, Earthjustice, (206) 343-7340, ext. 1025 (Available July 2) Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, (206) 343-7340, ext. 1029 Dvija Michael Bertish, Rosemere Neighborhood Association, (360) 281-4747 Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper, (503) 348-2436 State Appeals Court Hears Arguments by County to Circumvent Clean Water Act Protections of Fish and Water Quality Community and Clean Water Advocates ask court to ensure federal clean water laws are followed to protect rivers and salmon. WHAT: Hearing before Washington State Court of Appeals in Tacoma WHEN: July 2, 2012, 9 a.m. WHERE: Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II 950 Broadway, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402 (Allow time to go through courthouse security.) WHY: Clark County deserves strong, uniform laws that protect clean water, sensitive aquatic environments and endangered species&#8211; the same requirements that over 100 other cities and counties in Washington have been complying with since 2008. Stronger stormwater controls are needed now. According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study on stormwater, Vancouver, WA showed a wide suite of contaminants, including some of the highest levels of pesticides, suspended solids, and trace elements including mercury. A copy of the USGS stormwater study is attached. BACKGROUND: Federal law required Clark County and nearly 100 other cities and counties in Western Washington to adopt new rules governing runoff from development by August of 2008. In 2009, Clark County decided that it would not comply with the terms of a stormwater permit required by the Clean Water Act. The Department of Ecology confronted Clark County for its permit violation but later backed down and agreed to allow Clark County to retain inadequate stormwater standards for new developments in exchange for a promise to implement taxpayer-funded mitigation projects that were much less protective. This didn’t protect streams polluted by development<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/06/28/media-advisory-state-appeals-court-hears-arguments-by-county-to-circumvent-clean-water-act/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>Judge Leighton Denies Clark County Motion For Bond</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/04/05/judge-leighton-denies-clark-county-motion-for-bond/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/04/05/judge-leighton-denies-clark-county-motion-for-bond/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:53:32 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton has denied Clark County&#8217;s request that Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper and Northwest Environmental Defense Center (Rosemere et al) post a monetary bond in their ongoing stormwater case. In January 2011, the Washington State Pollution Control Board ruled that Clark County&#8217;s &#8220;alternative&#8221; plan for monitoring stormwater was illegal  (see full story here).  Clark County subsequently filed an appeal of the Pollution Board&#8217;s ruling, but in December 2011, Judge Leighton ruled that pending their appeal, Clark County must comply with Washington State’s stormwater guidelines (story here). In January, Clark County also filed a motion asking the court to require Rosemere et al to post a $2.9 million bond (later reduced to $1.1 million) in the event the county wins in state court the plaintiffs could pay damages. Yesterday, Judge Leighton ruled against defendant Clark County&#8217;s motion saying, Here, Plaintiff has little or no means to post a substantial bond. The litigation seeks to enforce provisions of the Clean Water Act, and as such, is in the public interest. Further, Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, given the indications of the Pollution Control Hearings Board. See full order here: ORDER DENYING MOTION TO ESTABLISH BOND]]></description>
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		<title>Petition to stop licensing of Nuclear Reactor at Hanford Nuclear Facility</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/28/petition-to-stop-licensing-of-nuclear-reactor-at-hanford-nuclear-facility/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/28/petition-to-stop-licensing-of-nuclear-reactor-at-hanford-nuclear-facility/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:37:37 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Energy Northwest (formerly WPPSS) runs the region&#8217;s sole commercial nuclear reactor, Hanford Nuclear Facility, located along the Columbia River on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Energy Northwest is owned and run by Washington&#8217;s publicly owned utilities. These include Clark Public Utilities in Clark County, as well as Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD, and Tacoma City Light. The Federal Government is attempting to make Hanford a national nuclear waste dump, despite the actions of the Washington citizens to prevent more nuclear waste from being shipped there. In recent months, the reactor had numerous safety violations. As the Seattle Times reported (March, 2011), Energy Northwest officials have been moving to be the first commercial reactor in the US to use the same highly dangerous Plutonium fuel which was released to the environment during the Fukushima Reactor earthquake and tsunami crisis, causing catastrophic damage to a huge populated area of Japan and the ocean – without public disclosure of risks or costs. Clark Public Utilities representatives have not objected to use of Plutonium fuel, and supported relicensing the reactor to run 20 more years until the year 2043 – without any public discussion near Clark PUD. You can voice your opinion. Clark County residents: Click on the link below to sign a petition (managed by Heart of America Northwest, www.hoanw.org) to stop the licensing of the nuclear reactor operating at the Hanford facility, and demand the federal government pursue clean energy instead: Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cgsclark/]]></description>
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		<title>CITIZENS FIGHT FOR CLEAN WATER IN CLARK COUNTY</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/17/citizens-fight-for-clean-water-in-clark-county/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/17/citizens-fight-for-clean-water-in-clark-county/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 18 Mar 2012 03:36:13 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1786</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CITIZENS TAKE ON CLARK COUNTY’S FAILED ATTEMPT TO MAKE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR DEVELOPERS’ STORMWATER POLLUTION Nationwide, stormwater is the leading source of water pollution. This is also true for the Columbia River Basin. In urban areas, rain runs across dirty pavement and roofs, picking up toxic metals, oil, grease, bacteria and other contaminants along the way. Experts across the country agree: the cost of stormwater pollution is steep. Murky, smelly streams and rivers and fish advisories warning people not to eat otherwise healthy, locally caught fish are a stark reminder of the public costs of stormwater pollution. Yet Clark County tried to make taxpayers pay for stormwater impacts that are the responsibility of private development. Taxpayer dollars already support public stormwater infrastructure and now its time for developers to pay their share. IGNORING COMMON SENSE Why is Clark County Trying to Evade Protections for Safe, Swimmable Rivers and Livable Communities? In 2010, local citizens and conservation groups successfully challenged Clark County’s sweetheart deal with Washington State regulators—a deal that made Clark County the only major county in the state to avoid critical steps to reduce stormwater pollution. Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board ruled that the County’s controversial development standards violated state laws to protect clean water. In 2011, a federal court judge also found that Clark County’s actions likely violate the federal Clean Water Act. Not only is Clark County violating the law, it is ignoring the very real economic and quality of life costs associated with stormwater pollution. For example, stormwater pollution: Increases flooding—the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that stormwater causes or contributes to at least one quarter of economic losses due to flooding—or $1 billion per year. Adds costs to providing safe drinking water. Threatens public health. Impacts fishing opportunities and water recreation. CITIZENS FIGHT FOR<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/17/citizens-fight-for-clean-water-in-clark-county/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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		<title>Federal Judge Suspends County’s Inadequate Polluted Runoff Standards</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2011/12/29/federal-judge-suspends-county%e2%80%99s-inadequate-polluted-runoff-standards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2011/12/29/federal-judge-suspends-county%e2%80%99s-inadequate-polluted-runoff-standards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:56:43 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1762</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2011

Contacts:

Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 ext. 1029
Dvija Michael Bertish, Rosemere Neighborhood Association, 360-281-4747
Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper, 503-348-2436
Federal Judge Suspends County’s Inadequate Polluted Runoff Standards
Injunction requires Clark County to shelve fish-killing loopholes in its development standards

Tacoma, WA.—A Washington state county’s controversial development standards appear to violate federal laws to protect clean water, according to a preliminary ruling by a U.S. District Court Judge.

The decision, issued December 28 by U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton, means Clark County must comply with federal clean water laws, like other cities and counties in the state, to protect rivers, streams and salmon threatened with extinction. The ruling applies to development projects permitted or approved by the county on or after the court’s order while a related state court appeal is pending.

Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper, and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, represented by Earthjustice, challenged Clark County’s failure to protect threatened salmon.

“Many cities and counties in our state are working hard to clean up polluted waterways and now Clark County must finally do the same,” said Janette Brimmer, an Earthjustice attorney who is representing the groups. “The ruling recognizes that everyone needs to do their share to protect our precious streams, rivers and salmon and that Clark County, like everyone else, must follow the law.”]]></description>
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