Protecting & Enhancing Puget Sound
This is a win for those that work, live and recreate in the Columbia River, Puget Sound, Spokane River, and other Washington waterways that have been polluted by the dust of passing coal trains for decades.
Today 4,500 Washingtonians submitted comments to Gov. Inslee and the Department of Ecology (Ecology) calling for stronger state pollution controls for concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.
A coalition of environmental organizations reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and two industry trade associations to simplify the job of controlling water pollution for regulators, businesses and citizens.
Nationwide, the pollution that has the biggest impact on rivers and streams is agricultural pollution.
Today, a federal judge imposed a tight deadline on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize new anti-pollution water quality rules aimed at protecting public health. The rules, often called fish consumption rules, must ensure that fish caught and eaten from Washington waters are safe for the most vulnerable and exposed populations.
The new water quality standards rule caves to industry pressure, leaving some of the most dangerous chemicals inadequately regulated. It trades prompt action for a continuation of the status quo and a continued threat to the health of Washington communities.