Jan. 14, 1998

98-015

Environmental Organizations Announce Major Lawsuit Settlement For Water Quality

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Northwest Environmental Advocates will be available tomorrow to discuss a major decision that will direct how Washington state will improve the health of its lakes, rivers and marine waters. The decision is the result of a lawsuit the Northwest Environmental Advocates and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center filed against the two agencies in 1991. The agreement outlines how Ecology will accelerate work to clean and improve nearly 700 polluted waters in Washington.

News reporters are invited to participate in a media briefing to hear about and discuss the decision that charts the course for protecting and improving Washington’s waters for the next 15 years.

LACEY, WA;Thursday, Jan. 15, 9:30-11 a.m.
Washington Department of Ecology,
300 Desmond Drive, Conference Room ROA-36

Nationally, there are about 30 states being sued by environmental organizations, criticizing their approaches to protecting and improving water quality. Washington is the first state to reach a comprehensive settlement agreement that includes implementation measures.