Waterkeepers unite to condemn Washington’s plans to alter standards for industrial stormwater.
Three of the region’s Waterkeepers joined forces today to denounce what they characterize as the Washington Department of Ecology’s plans “to significantly weaken industrial stormwater protections” for state waterways.
The announcement came in a press release put out by Brett VandenHeuvel, the Executive Director the Columbia Riverkeeper, Tom Putnam, the Executive Director of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, and Spokane Riverkeeper Rick Eichstaedt. The press statement references extensive comments the three have filed with the Department of Ecology regarding the agency’s draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit.
“While Governor Christine Gregoire, Ecology Director Jay Manning and other politicians and government functionaries talk about commitment to addressing stormwater issues,” they wrote, “in drafting general permits Ecology abdicates its proper role, forcing citizens to litigate Ecology’s illegal permits before the Pollution Control Hearings Board over and over again.”
“Federal law requires Ecology to ratchet down pollution over time,” said Eichstaedt. “Here Ecology is doing just the opposite. The Spokane River has alarming amounts of heavy metals, PCBs, phosphorous, and other industrial chemicals. If we truly want to clean up our river, we need Ecology to hold all polluters, including industrial polluters, accountable for their impacts to river health.”
“Copper, zinc and other industrial toxics washing into storm drains from industrial and municipal sites account for 70% or more of Puget Sound’s pollution,” explained Putnam. “The National Marine Fisheries Service–the nation’s expert science agency–recognizes these heavy metals as a threat to the longevity and health of our salmon. Protecting our aquatic ecosystems requires limiting the amount of heavy metals, scrap yards, logging operations, and other industries can discharge in their stormwater.”
–CFJ
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