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	<title>Rosemere Neighborhood Association &#187; Pollution Control Hearings Board</title>
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		<title>Breaking: WA Supreme Court Unanimously Reinstates Pollution Control Hearings Board Decision to Protect Stormwater: State “Vesting” Law Cannot Undermine Clean Water Standards</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/12/30/breaking-wa-supreme-court-unanimously-reinstates-pollution-control-hearings-board-decision-to-protect-stormwater-state-vesting-law-cannot-undermine-clean-water-standards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/12/30/breaking-wa-supreme-court-unanimously-reinstates-pollution-control-hearings-board-decision-to-protect-stormwater-state-vesting-law-cannot-undermine-clean-water-standards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:48:48 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2016 MEDIA CONTACTS: Jan Hasselman, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340, ext. 1025 jhasselman@earthjustice.org Chris Wilke, Puget Soundkeeper, 206-297-7002 chris@pugetsoundkeeper.org WA Supreme Court:  Developers Can’t Evade Water Pollution Standards State high court unanimously overturns Court of Appeals to find that state “vesting” law does not apply to clean water standards Olympia, WA—In a major victory for clean water, the Washington State Supreme Court today unanimously rejected an effort by counties and developers to weaken a key permit designed to reduced toxic runoff and protect waterways including Puget Sound. State high court justices ruled unanimously that state “vesting” laws can’t undercut clean water standards that local governments must adopt as part of the federal Clean Water Act and parallel state laws.  Under state vesting laws, development projects can apply regulations in place at the time of the project application, even if they are not built for years or even decades later.  The vesting laws have been a major impediment to the implementation of critical standards that prevent sprawl and reduce pollution. Stormwater runoff is a toxic brew of rainwater that drains off streets, parking lots, and other hard surfaces carrying motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and other urban residues into nearby streams, rivers, and marine waters.  It is the major source of pollution in Puget Sound. “Today the Washington Supreme Court stood up for clean water,” said Jan Hasselman, Earthjustice attorney who, along with Janette Brimmer, represented Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Washington Environmental Council, and the Rosemere Neighborhood Association in the case. “Obsolete vesting laws don’t trump clean water, and Washington state will not fall behind in its ability to protect Puget Sound and its rivers and streams.” In rejecting the arguments by developers that the stormwater permits are subject to vesting laws, and overturning a divided Court of Appeals, the high court<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2016/12/30/breaking-wa-supreme-court-unanimously-reinstates-pollution-control-hearings-board-decision-to-protect-stormwater-state-vesting-law-cannot-undermine-clean-water-standards/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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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>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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		<category><![CDATA[February 21]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1951</guid>
		<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>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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		<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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		<title>PRESS RELEASE: Pollution Control Board Rules Clark County Development Standards Illegal</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2011/01/06/press-release-pollution-control-board-rules-clark-county-development-standards-illegal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2011/01/06/press-release-pollution-control-board-rules-clark-county-development-standards-illegal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:13:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[PRESS RELEASE****PRESS RELEASE***PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2011

Contacts:

Jan Hasselman, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 ext. 25
Dvija Michael Bertish, Rosemere Neighborhood Association, 360-281-4747
Brett VandenHeuvel, Columbia Riverkeeper, 503-348-2436
Mark Riskedahl, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, 503-768-6673

Appeals Board Rules-- Clark County Development Standards Illegal
Taxpayer subsidy &#038; fish-killing loopholes scrapped

Tumwater, WA.-In a major decision with statewide impacts, a state appeals board today ruled that Clark County's controversial development standards violate state and federal laws to protect clean water.

The ruling, by the state Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB), means the county is out of compliance with federal clean water laws. It signals an end to the county's on-going failure to protect rivers, streams and salmon threatened with extinction.

"Clean water is our future. Clark County has the potential to be a leader in low impact development, parks and green space. These are real growth sectors in our economy and will put people back to work," said Dvija Michael Bertish of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association.

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.]]></description>
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		<title>Stormy Weather for Clark County Stormwater Plan</title>
		<link>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2010/09/28/stormy-weather-for-clark-county-stormwater-plan/</link>
		<comments>http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2010/09/28/stormy-weather-for-clark-county-stormwater-plan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:25:01 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.rosemerena.org/home/?p=1554</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[New story from the Public News Service &#8211; Washington: September 28, 2010 Stormy Weather for Clark County Stormwater Plan TUMWATER, Wash. &#8211; How tough should counties be on developers in planning and controlling storm water runoff, a major source of water pollution? That&#8217;s the issue in a case to be argued this week at the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. It alleges that Clark County has what amounts to a special deal with builders for managing the stormwater effects of their projects, allowing them to put off planning for runoff control and let the county take care of any problems. The Rosemere Neighborhood Association and two environmental groups behind the complaint – Columbia Riverkeeper and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center – say water quality has suffered as a result. Their attorney, Jan Hasselman with Earthjustice, explains. &#8220;Clark County is effectively subsidizing developers out of very limited county funds. The idea is that developers don&#8217;t have to take on the burden of dealing with the storm water from their projects &#8211; the county will pay for it from general funds.&#8221; The Washington Department of Ecology approved the Clark County plan, and will explain its reasons at the hearing. The problem, says Hasselman, is that if one county has a weaker storm water control policy, state law allows others to adopt it. &#8220;That&#8217;s why this case is so important, not just for Clark County, but statewide. This threatens to really undercut our collective efforts to begin improving the health of rivers and streams, and recover Puget Sound.&#8221; At issue is how strict counties should be with developers in order to meet federal Clean Water Act requirements. Clark County has said new development hasn&#8217;t posed much of a stormwater problem, and that it has enough money to mitigate such problems. The complaint asks<a class="more-link" href="http://www.rosemerena.org/home/2010/09/28/stormy-weather-for-clark-county-stormwater-plan/">[Read More...]</a>]]></description>
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