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.
Posts Tagged ‘clean water act’
SETTLEMENT REACHED IN LOCAL CLEAN WATER CASE – May 19, 2006
Approved Joint Public Statement
The City of Vancouver, Clark County Natural Resources Council and Rosemere Neighborhood Association have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement that ends the appeals of a 2005 judgement in a Clean Water Act lawsuit heard by the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. The joint agreement furthers the goals of all three parties by enhancing ongoing efforts to protect and improve the community’s water resources. Additional water monitoring, inventory work and public involvement opportunities, including creation of a Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed Council, are among the highlights of the agreement.
Approved Settlement Agreement, Signed May 2006
Rosemere Neighborhood Association and Clark County Natural Resources Council File Supplemental 60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue Under the Clean Water Act – April 8, 2005
The RNA and CCRNC filed a Clean Water Act lawsuit in October 2004 against
the City of Vancouver pertaining to the City’s unpermitted and contaminated stormwater discharge into Burnt Bridge Creek, and the Columbia River (both of which flow into Vancouver Lake). These discharges into threatened or endangered waterbodies are conveyed through the municipal stormwater sewer system.
On April 1, 2005, RNA and CCNRC’s attorneys filed a supplemental notice of
intent to sue the City of Vancouver under the Clean Water Act for
unpermitted and contaminated non-stormwater related discharges. The city’s municipal stormwater system illegally conveys discharges into Burnt Bridge Creek and the Columbia River on a daily basis during dry weather. These discharges travel to and can impact the water quality of Vancouver Lake.
Environmental Justice Conference at WSU – February 26, 2005
Several members of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association attended EJ-ACT!, Environmental Justice – Action, Communities, and Topics, on February 26, 2005. The RNA wishes to thank Ben Duncan and Mark Stephan of Washington State University, Vancouver, and the Center for Social and Environmental Justice for presenting this daylong event featuring speakers and discussion leaders from all across the Environmental Justice field.
The day began with Roy Wilson, Honorary Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Cowlitz Tribe welcoming us all to Cowlitz Country.
Oregon’s Sewers are Poisoning Vancouver – January 2004
Sewer system managers in Salem say it happens six or seven times every winter — their sewer systems are overwhelmed by heavy rains, and raw sewage has to be diverted directly into the Willamette River. So far this year, not counting this emergency diversion, 72 million gallons of raw sewage have been dumped directly into the Willamette. The most recent occurrence was over two days, January 28 & 29, 2004. Local news stations broadcasted that people should avoid direct contact with the river water since it is full of harmful bacteria (that can cause serious illness).
