Clean Water Network submits climate change comments to EPA

Clean Water Network recently submitted public comments on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change (EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0943). The  comments include specific recommendations and suggestions on EPA's document, released March 2012. To access the comments click HERE.  

SIGN-ON LETTER: Urge Congress to Say NO to a dangerous Coal Ash Loophole has been updated.

Reminder: We need your help to Curb Logging Road Pollution 

Thanks to the Washington Forest Law Center for this timely alert!

In May 2011, in a case called Northwest Environmental Defense Center v. Brown, the Ninth Circuit ruled that EPA regulations require Clean Water Act NPDES permits for polluted stormwater discharged from pipes, ditches and channels along logging

Photo by Pacific Watershed Associates

In response to the NEDC v. Brown decision, EPA recently sent a draft notice of intent to regulate logging road pollution to the White House Office of Management and Budget.  Although details are not yet public, in a press release EPA stated that it "is considering flexible options including non-permitting options that recognize the vastness, diversity, and complexity of the nation's logging road network and existing effective federal, state, local, and tribal best management practice frameworks."

Please email EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and President Obama and ask them to ensure that industrial logging road pollution remains regulated under the Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program. Tell them you oppose efforts to exempt the timber industry and logging roads from the Clean Water Act.

Click HERE to email EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Click HERE to email President Obama.

Read an excellent fact sheet on this topic from our friends at Rogue Riverkeeper HERE. 

Background:

In September 2011, the State of Oregon and members of the timber industry asked the Supreme Court to review the NEDC v. Brown decision because they do not want to comply with the Act's very effective NPDES permit program.  In December 2011, the Supreme Court asked the Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the federal government's views on the case.  EPA's recent notice comes just before the federal government is expected to file its brief on May 25.  EPA's action could have a significant impact on how logging road pollution is regulated in the future and whether the Supreme Court takes the case.  Please help us preserve the NEDC v. Brown decision by emailing EPA Administrator Jackson and President Obama.

Read the 9th Circuit Court's Opinion and Order.

Follow the Supreme Court proceedings HERE. 

Related media:

• EPA moves to regulate runoff from logging roads as Supreme Court eyes case, Greenwire, May 1, 2012
• Justices ask Obama admin to weigh in on pollution permitting for logging roads, Greenwire, December 12, 2011

Learn more about the legal case HERE.

We will send more updates as things develop over the next few months.

For more information please contact check the Washington Forest Law Center website or contact:

Paul Kampmeier, Staff Attorney, Washington Forest Law Center
Phone:  (206) 223-4088 x 4, email:  pkampmeier@wflc.org

 

New Water Documentary, "Last Call at the Oasis" OPENS

A new compelling documentary, detailing the global water crisis, was released recently. Our partners at Participant Media asked CWN to get the word out about this important movie. Watch and share the trailer for @Last Call at the Oasis with your networks at http://on.fb.me/LastCallTrailer

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