department of ecology | Rosemere Neighborhood Association

Heart of America NW Offers Free Screening of Hanford Documentary in Vancouver

September 29, 2009 Author: admin

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Heart of America NW is holding a free screening of the documentary ARID LANDS at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vancouver, WA.

ARID LANDS is a internationally acclaimed documentary is about the land and people of the Columbia River Basin in Eastern WA – home to the Hanford nuclear site – the largest environmental clean-up in history.

It is a land of incredible contradictions: coyotes roam among reactors, salmon spawn in the middle of golf courses and federal dollars spur rapid expansion.

When: October 12, 2009
07:00 PM – 09:30 PM – Film Screening: Vancouver, WA Arid Lands Screening
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver 4505 E. 18th St, Vancouver, WA, 98661 US
MapQuest! | GoogleMaps
Contact: email
Website: http://www.sidelongfilms.com

Comments wanted on Camp Bonneville Cleanup Plans

May 29, 2009 Author: admin

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WA Department of Ecology News Release – May 28, 2009

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks comments on draft documents related to cleaning up part of the Camp Bonneville military reservation in Clark County.

This phase of the ongoing cleanup focuses on the Central Impact Target Area. The former artillery target area covers roughly 465 acres. [Read More...]

Energy Northwest Cancels Plans to Build Kalama Power Facility

May 29, 2009 Author: admin

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This is a 2544-ton-per-day coal gasification plant on the Wabash River in Indiana. (Photo: Department of Energy)

Energy Northwest has withdrawn its application for the Pacific Mountain Energy Facility (PMEC) in Kalama. In a letter this month to the State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), Energy Northwest explained its decision saying, “Our efforts have determined that the financial and economic conditions do not support a project of this size.”

Originally slated to be a $1.5 billion coal gasification plant, Energy Northwest had amended its plans for a coal powered plant in favor of natural gas in response to environmental objections raised by the Rosemere Neighborhood Association and Columbia Riverkeeper, Willapa Audubon Society, Washington Environmental Council, Sierra Club’s Cascade Chapter and Northwest Energy Coalition.

[Read More...]

More Delays At Hanford Cleanup

May 14, 2009 Author: admin

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Hanford Single-Shell C Tank Farm during construction, November 4, 1944

On May 12, 2009, a public meeting and hearing was conducted by the Hanford Tri-Party Agencies to discuss a tentative agreement to modify cleanup action plans at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Tri-Party officials present included Matt McCormick, Dave Brockman, and Stacy Charboneau, U.S. Department of Energy; Ron Skinnarland, Washington State Department of Ecology; and Rod Lobos, US Environmental Protection Agency. [Read More...]

Clark County Public Works Department Cited for Stormwater Discharge Violation

April 29, 2009 Author: admin

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Clark County Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

The state Department of Ecology has issued a $2,000 civil penalty to the Clark County Public Works Department for violating technical requirements of a stormwater discharge permit at the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, county officials announced today.

Click here to read Clark County Press Release RE Stormwater Violation (PDF format)

Press Release: Sixty Day Notice of Intent to file a Citizens’ Lawsuit Against Clark County

April 27, 2009 Author: admin

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Stormwater outfall during dry weather conditions

PRESS RELEASE****PRESS RELEASE****PRESS RELEASE

Today Rosemere Neighborhood Association delivered a Sixty Day Notice of Intent to file a Citizens’ Lawsuit against Clark County, Washington, under the Clean Water Act. A copy of the Sixty Day Notice is attached to this press release. Rosemere Neighborhood Association is represented by attorneys Theda Braddock, of Steilacoom, Washington, and Paul E. Brain of Smith, Alling, Lane, PS, of Tacoma, Washington. [Read More...]

State Studies Water Quality Failures on Burnt Bridge Creek – March 11, 2009

April 6, 2009 Author: admin

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On March 11, 2009, The Washington State Department of Ecology convened the technical advisory committee for the Total Maximum Daily Load study currently underway for Burnt Bridge Creek. This creek begins as a spring in East Vancouver, and flows 13 miles westward into Vancouver Lake. Monitoring stations have been established at various locations along the stream path. The study includes tributaries — Cold Creek, Petersen Channel and Burton Channel. Burnt Bridge Creek suffers from failures of various water quality standards, and the purpose of this study is to determine how to remedy the problems and improve water quality. [Read More...]

RNA’s letter to Governor Chris Gregoire regarding stormwater and septic tank ordinances – February 16, 2009

April 6, 2009 Author: admin

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Governor Chris Gregoire

The Rosemere Neighborhood Association has sent a letter to Governor Chris Gregoire regarding legislation introduced under House Bill 1661 [Reducing the authority of the state board of health with regard to small-scale sewage systems] to remove state oversight on private septic systems. Without state standards, local jurisdictions would have the authority to revoke existing operations and maintenance requirements for on-site septic systems, and local authorities would be faced with public challenges to overturn local codes without the presence of state regulations. In short, this bill would allow failing septic systems to continue to pollute ground and surface water and spread disease. The RNA asserts that a major component of stormwater pollution may be septic tank infiltration through perforated stormwater pipes. [Read More...]

City of Vancouver Storm Water Ordinances – January 25, 2009

April 6, 2009 Author: admin

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The Rosemere Neighborhood Association and Columbia Riverkeeper submitted comments on proposed revisions to the City of Vancouver’s Storm Water Ordinances, VMC 14.24, 14.25 and 14.26.

Read entire RNA Stormwater Ordinance Public Comments here.

Update on Kalama Energy Plant – January 5, 2009

April 6, 2009 Author: admin

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This is a 2544-ton-per-day coal gasification plant on the Wabash River in Indiana. (Photo: Department of Energy)

Our efforts to block the coal fired power plant in Kalama have been successful. In their meeting held on September 9, 2008, the State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council announced that The Pacific Mountain Energy Center in Kalama is being redesigned as the Kalama Energy Project. The newly renamed project will eliminate all the gasification facilities originally planned for the site and run exclusively on natural gas. [Read More...]