Legal Action is an Effective Tool of Last Resort

Soundkeeper Sue Joerger

The Puget Soundkeeper identifies potential pollution problems within the Puget Sound Basin. After thorough review, resolution of pollution problems is sought through negotiation and, if necessary, legal action to defend the health of Puget Sound.

In 1992 the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance undertook its first litigation to enforce the Clean Water Act, with a complaint against the City of Bremerton for excessive discharges from their Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system, and against the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for operating without an NPDES permit.

Since then PSA has undertaken more than 110 legal actions. Most cases have been resolved without going to trial, resulting in over $600,000 in mitigation and penalty money for environmental restoration projects and water quality improvement projects in the location where the pollution occurred.  PSA does not accept a single dollar for this work.

SEE Citizen Lawsuit section for a full description of this important provision of the Clean Water Act.