Posts Tagged ‘stormwater’

SETTLEMENT REACHED IN LOCAL CLEAN WATER CASE – May 19, 2006

Apr 4th, 2009

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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

Danger Still Lurks at Camp Bonneville – April 20, 2006

Apr 4th, 2009

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Despite repeated concerns from many knowledgeable community members at various public meetings, Clark County is on a fast track to receive Camp Bonneville in a “dirty transfer” from the US Army, meaning the County and its working partners will receive the property while it is still contaminated and covered with unexploded ordnance and munitions/explosives of concern. County officials are hoping to have all agreements signed with the Army, the state and clean-up contractors by July 1, 2006 in order to initiate a devised clean-up plan of the property that may take several years. The County’s goal is to transform one third of this contaminated 3800 acre property into a free range public park, while explosive devices will remain hidden on the remainder of the property, the two sections separated by a mere three foot barbed wire fence that could easily be straddled by anyone of average height.

Collaboration to Achieve Groundwater Protection in Clark County – December 7, 2005

Apr 4th, 2009

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On December 4, 2005, a petition was formally submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 10, Seattle, requesting that agency to designate the Troutdale and Unconsolidated Alluvium Aquifer System in Clark County, Washington, as a Sole Source Aquifer. The EPA defines the Sole Source Aquifer Program as a tool used to protect drinking water supplies in areas with few or no alternative sources to groundwater resources, and where if contamination occurred, using an alternative source for the potable water supply would be extremely expensive.

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

Apr 3rd, 2009

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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.

Richard Smith letter to the Columbian – December 19, 2004

Apr 2nd, 2009

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Unabridged letter printed:

This letter to the editor was written by the Rosemere Neighborhood Association’s attorney, Richard Smith. The letter was published in the Columbian on Sunday, December 19, 2004′ however, it was edited by the Columbian staff and pertinent commentary was removed. The letter is included here in its entirety as it was originally penned.

Dear Editor:

Scott Hewitt’s December 9, 2004 Reporter’s Notebook about the Rosemere neighborhood warrants a response. It is too bad that the Columbian chooses to slander the Rosemere Neighborhood Association, which is a group of well-intentioned people pointing out the naked-emperorness of city government for the common good. Also, how is it responsible journalism to repeat unsupported (and easily debunked) defamatory remarks in the context of an obvious neighborhood feud?

Trouble at the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility – July 28, 2004

Apr 2nd, 2009

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On July 26, 2004, Thom McConathy took a tour of the Salmon Creek facility with the facility’s manager, Kay Hurst. Thom was hoping to discuss problems with the facility’s planned expansion to accommodate Battleground’s growth and the foul odors stemming from Battleground’s wastewater contribution.

May 1st Water Quality Discussion – May 4, 2004

Mar 29th, 2009

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May 3, 2004

Members of the RNA Board met with representatives of the Clark County Health Department, the City of Vancouver’s Public Works Department, and local Water Quality Experts to discuss failing septic systems and cesspools in the Rosemere Neighborhood and the Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed in general.

RNA opposes City’s SEPA application on the proposed Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway project – February 5, 2004

Mar 24th, 2009

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To: Jon Wagner, Development Review Services

From: Rosemere Neighborhood Association

Re: Application: Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway PRJ2003-01122 which includes the following:

ARC2003-00025, CON2003-00087, ENG2003-00164, FLP2003-00003, GEO2003-00002, GRD2003-00088, PSR2003-00044, SEP2003-00058, SHL2003-00005, TRE2003-00195 and WET2003-00006

These comments on the project have been sent prior to the cutoff date of Monday, February 9, 2004, and are to be incorporated into the staff report.

This correspondence serves as written notice that the officers and board of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association oppose this proposed project, and as outlined herein, believe that the project will create probable significant adverse environmental impacts.

Oregon’s Sewers are Poisoning Vancouver – January 2004

Mar 24th, 2009

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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).

Rosemere Neighborhood Association Water Walk – December 7, 2003

Mar 24th, 2009

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(RNA Board Members, Rosemere residents, and concerned environmental activists gather in the rain to hear Thom McConathy explain the terrain and our community’s failing stormwater and groundwater facilities.)

On December 7, 2003, the RNA Board, accompanied by environmental activists, toured the Burnt Bridge Creek Basin and Vancouver Lake to learn more about the contamination of our waterways. This tour was lead by Thom McConathy, a very active community steward who has passionately fought to save our ground and surface waterbodies for more than 20 years. Mr. McConathy is among our community’s most knowledgeable experts on the subjects of water quality and contamination, and he has been instrumental in helping the RNA address the contamination of Burnt Bridge Creek and Vancouver Lake, as discussed in the RNA’s federal Title 6 complaint.