<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Rosemere Neighborhood Association &#187; clean water act</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/tag/clean-water-act/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home</link>
	<description>Dedicated to promoting the welfare of our neighborhood, our community, and our environment.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2021 03:42:26 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
		<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
		<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=3.7.41</generator>
	<item>
		<title>Environmental Groups Clean Water Act Success: BSNF Railway Required to Cleanup Coal Pollution</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2017/03/05/environmental-groups-clean-water-act-success-bsnf-railway-required-to-cleanup-coal-pollution/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2017/03/05/environmental-groups-clean-water-act-success-bsnf-railway-required-to-cleanup-coal-pollution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:15:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BNSF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia river]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[epa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Friends of the Columbia Gorge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Puget Soundkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RE Sources for Sustainable Communities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sierra club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spokane Riverkeeper]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=2170</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Rosemere Neighborhood Association congratulates our environmental partners on their successful Clean Water Act lawsuit against BNSF Railway coal train pollution! The lawsuit was brought by our friends at Sierra Club, Puget Soundkeeper, Columbia Riverkeeper, Spokane Riverkeeper, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Friends of the Columbia Gorge. In the settlement, BNSF will now pay $1 million to finance environmental cleanup throughout Washington state, including Bellingham, Puget Sound, Columbia River and Spokane River areas, and will be required to cleanup the Columbia River and Pacific Northwest waterways of coal dust, petroleum coke, and other other discharges from open-top coal train cars. You can read more in the Seattle Times here.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2017/03/05/environmental-groups-clean-water-act-success-bsnf-railway-required-to-cleanup-coal-pollution/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Riverkeeper Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Lighting of Empire State Building</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/04/10/riverkeeper-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-lighting-of-empire-state-building/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/04/10/riverkeeper-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-lighting-of-empire-state-building/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2016 01:16:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Empire State Building]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Riverkeeper.org]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[watershed]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=2118</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We congratulate our good friends at Riverkeeper.org on celebrating 50 years as New York&#8217;s clean water advocate protecting New York&#8217;s drinking water, the Hudson River and its tributaries! Commemorating the event, the Empire State Building will shine in Riverkeeper&#8217;s colors of deep blue, green, and light blue, this Wednesday evening, April 13. Here is a brief history of this pioneering organization, from their grass roots beginnings as Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, which paved the way for the massive Riverkeeper and Waterkeeper movements, and has inspired environmental advocates fighting for clean water all around the world: From Riverkeeper.org: Riverkeeper traces its origins back to March 1966, when a small group of recreational and commercial fishermen, concerned citizens and scientists gathered at a Westchester County American Legion Hall with the intent to reverse the decline of the Hudson River. They organized as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, and dedicated themselves to tracking down the river’s polluters and bringing them to justice. Right from the start, the grassroots actions taken by the HRFA went against convention. While other organizations sought environmental justice through protests and civil disobedience, the HRFA sought to protect the Hudson through advocacy, science and the law. At the group’s core was a belief that everyday people should be able to defend our public resources from maltreatment and damage. The Fishermen’s actions to protect the water demonstrated that ordinary citizens had legal standing in protecting our natural resources. A long string of legal victories — which provided the HRFA with bounties for turning in polluters — funded the creation of the Riverkeeper program in 1983. Three years later, HRFA merged with Riverkeeper to form one group to protect the river. Since then, Riverkeeper has brought hundreds of polluters to justice and forced them to spend hundreds of millions of dollars<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/04/10/riverkeeper-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-lighting-of-empire-state-building/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/04/10/riverkeeper-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-lighting-of-empire-state-building/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jan Hasselman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Janette Brimmer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Environmental Defense Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollution Control Hearings Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stormwater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=2016</guid>
		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>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/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/06/07/landmark-decision-federal-judge-rules-clark-county-violated-permit-clean-water-act-from-2008-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:04:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2013]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[District Court Western District of Washington]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[epa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Janette Brimmer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Felton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Judge Ronald B. Leighton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[June 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Environmental Defense Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stormwater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1971</guid>
		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2013/06/07/landmark-decision-federal-judge-rules-clark-county-violated-permit-clean-water-act-from-2008-2011/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Communities Letter RE Sportsmen&#8217;s Act of 2012</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/11/24/communities-letter-re-sportsmens-act-of-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/11/24/communities-letter-re-sportsmens-act-of-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Nov 2012 20:32:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boxer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lead]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[military installation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[perchlorate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RDX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[S. 3525]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sportsmen's Act of 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toxic Substances Control Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unexploded ordnance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1941</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This letter, signed by 35 environmental activists in 16 states and territories, was sent to Senators Tester, Reid, and Boxer: Excerpt: Dear Senator: It has come to our attention that S. 3525, the Sportsmen&#8217;s Act of 2012 &#8211; scheduled for a U.S. Senate floor vote immediately after Thanksgiving 2012, contains language that appears to exempt certain munitions constituents, such as lead and propellants, from the Toxic Substances Control Act. [See Section 121 (a).] We are concerned because the releases of such substances, including lead, perchlorate, RDX, DNT, etc., have been widely released into the environment, posing serious risks to both human health and the natural environment. To view the full letter, click here Sportsmen&#8217;s Act S3525 Communities Letter]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/11/24/communities-letter-re-sportsmens-act-of-2012/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sole Source Aquifer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia river]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jan Hasselman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Environmental Defense Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phase I Permit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollution Control Hearings Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stormwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WA Court of Appeals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1913</guid>
		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/09/26/wa-court-of-appeals-rules-county%e2%80%99s-plan-to-manage-polluted-runoff-illegal/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environmental justice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Judge Ronald B. Leighton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[July 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollution Control Hearings Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stormwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[U.S. Geological Survey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington State Court of Appeals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1874</guid>
		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/06/28/media-advisory-state-appeals-court-hears-arguments-by-county-to-circumvent-clean-water-act/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Community Representatives Sign Letter to EPA &amp; DOD Urging Inclusive Military Cleanup Discussions</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/04/15/community-representatives-sign-letter-to-epa-dod-urging-inclusive-military-cleanup-discussions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/04/15/community-representatives-sign-letter-to-epa-dod-urging-inclusive-military-cleanup-discussions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:25:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Camp Bonneville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sole Source Aquifer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells/Drinking Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[April 14]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia river]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Department of Defense]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dorothy Robyn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[epa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mathy Stanislaus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unexploded ordnance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1819</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Representatives from community and environmental groups from across the United States and Puerto Rico have signed a letter to Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense and Mathy Stanislaus, Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator, urging more comprehensive transparent and inclusive discussions on military cleanup regulatory requirements. We are representatives of communities that host active, closing, and former military facilities. We ask that we, as well as state and tribal regulatory agencies, be brought into this important conversation. We are sympathetic to the desire to have a consistent set of regulatory requirements from U.S. EPA or other regulatory agencies. However, twenty-six years after the establishment of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, we expect some natural evolution in cleanup regulation as new problems are discovered and the scientific knowledge of the impacts of pollutants changes. We support Congressman Sam Farr’s suggestion that a forum be created in which regulators, the military components, and affected communities seek common ground to achieve faster, more efficient, and more protective cleanups. The letter dated April 14, 2012, was signed by Rosemere Neighborhood Association along with representatives of environmental and community groups, including Earth Island Institute, Arc Ecology, United Tribe of Shawnee Indians, and representatives of the Restoration Advisory Boards of former Defense sites in a dozen states. To view the letter please click here: Communities Letter on Military Cleanup]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/04/15/community-representatives-sign-letter-to-epa-dod-urging-inclusive-military-cleanup-discussions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burnt Bridge Creek]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aquifer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Low Impact Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Environmental Defense Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stormwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[watershed]]></category>

		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2012/03/17/citizens-fight-for-clean-water-in-clark-county/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breaking News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Media/Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sole Source Aquifer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Storm Water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Quality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clark county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean water act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia river]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columbia riverkeeper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[department of ecology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earthjustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jan Hasselman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Janette Brimmer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Judge Ronald B. Leighton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Environmental Defense Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phase I Permit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollution Control Hearings Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rosemere]]></category>

		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2011/12/29/federal-judge-suspends-county%e2%80%99s-inadequate-polluted-runoff-standards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
