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A threatened Mardon skipper butterfly basks in the sun at Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. This butterfly is native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America and relies on specific grasses such as Idaho Fescue and Bluebunch Wheatgrass as host plants. The Mardon skipper is a species of conservation concern and its populations have been declining due to habitat loss and degradation. (Seth Coulter / BLM)
Press Release March 25, 2024

Supreme Court Denies Timber Industry Requests to Review Expansion of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

Decision ensures that southwest Oregon rivers, fish, and wildlife remain protected

Fishing for steelhead on the Clearwater River, upriver from its confluence with the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
Press Release March 6, 2024

Washington State Legislature Funds Recreational Study Connected to Columbia Basin Restoration

The new recreation study joins three previously-funded studies on how to best replace energy, transportation and irrigation services now provided by the lower Snake River Dams

An illustration of how a heat pump works (Yale Climate Connections - CC BY-NC-ND 2.5 DEED)
From the Experts February 26, 2024

Washington’s Future is Bright as it Leads the Charge to Electrify Buildings

Washington demonstrates legal pathways for states and local governments seeking to transition buildings off fossil fuels to clean, safe electricity.

Snake River's blue waters stand out against green landscape with Teton Mountain Range ascending in the background. Grand Tetons National Park, Teton County, Wyoming. (Edwin Remsberg / Getty Images)
Press Release February 23, 2024

Earthjustice Plaintiffs Join in White House Ceremony Uplifting Historic Columbia Basin Restoration Agreement

The landmark restoration agreement was announced in December and approved by the court earlier this month

document February 22, 2024

60-Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violations of Sections 7 and 9 of the Endangered Species Act: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community/Lower Skagit River

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency based on the State Department of Ecology failure to implement a 20 year-old water clean-up plan to address warm stream temperatures in the Lower Skagit River that cause ongoing harm to salmon.

A fishing crew member carries a salmon to the hold of boat in Washington State. (Thomas Barwick / Getty images)
Press Release February 22, 2024

Swinomish Tribal Community Demands EPA Act to Stop Harm to Lower Skagit River Salmon From Temperature Pollution

Ongoing violations of temperature standards for 20 years harm ESA-listed salmon populations; Tribe provides notice to sue EPA

The Puyallup River, with Mount Tahoma (Rainier) in the background. (David Seibold / CC BY-NC 2.0)
Update February 22, 2024

In a Win for Endangered Salmon, Court Orders Puyallup River Dam Removal

Electron Dam has been harming Chinook salmon, steelhead, and trout for nearly 100 years. With part of the dam gone, the river will flow naturally for the first time in almost a century.

The Puyallup River, with Mount Tahoma (Rainier) in the background. (David Seibold / CC BY-NC 2.0)
Press Release: Victory February 16, 2024

Court Rules “Temporary” Structure at Electron Dam Site Violates Endangered Species Act

Ruling will mean a free-flowing Puyallup River for fish for the first time in more than 100 years

document February 16, 2024

Electron Dam Summary Judgment Order

A portion of Washington’s Electron Dam must be removed from the Puyallup River following a historic district court ruling. The decision will allow water to flow naturally along the river for the first time in nearly 100 years.

In the News: Food & Beverage Insider February 9, 2024

Court decision allows chlorpyrifos use to resume, EPA considers next steps

Patti Goldman, Attorney, Northwest Office: “The actions the agencies are taking now are simply conforming regulations and guidance to the Eighth Circuit decision. Next, EPA will need to decide whether chlorpyrifos is safe for children. In light of the extensive science showing chlorpyrifos causes learning disabilities at low exposure levels, EPA cannot find the pesticide…

Sun sets on a dammed section of the Snake River in between Lower Granite dam and Lewiston, ID, near Chief Timothy Park. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
Press Release February 8, 2024

Oregon’s U.S. District Court Approves Long-Term Pause of Snake River Litigation, Allowing Columbia River Restoration to Move Forward

Judge rejects requests by opponents to disapprove agreement

document February 8, 2024

Order Granting Snake River Litigation Stay

A federal judge in Oregon approved a long-term pause in Snake River litigation allowing a tribal-state plan and U.S. government commitments to restore the Columbia River Basin to continue.

document January 31, 2024

Comments on the City of Everett Water Pollution Control Facility, NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit

In renewing an NPDES permit, the Department of Ecology must address violations of water quality standards and the harm such violations cause to people, water, and aquatic life.

In the News: Seattle Times January 24, 2024

Puget Sound Energy cancels liquid natural gas plant expansion in Tacoma

Jan Hasselman, Attorney, Northwest Office: “Washington State is committed to phasing out the use of fossil fuels; that is state law, that is who we are and what we have decided to do. PSE has been going in the opposite direction, seeking to market LNG to new customers and for new uses. The idea that…

A coalition of groups concerned about the proposed fracked-gas storage facility rallied in August 2019 before a Puget Sound Clean Air Agency hearing. Signs oppose LNG in Tacoma, where the area code is 253.
(Rachel Lee for Washington Environmental Council)
Press Release: Victory January 24, 2024

Puget Sound Energy Abandons Dangerous Expansion of Tacoma LNG Terminal

Facing lawsuit, PSE withdraws permits authorizing expanded use of its risky and controversial LNG facility for marine fuel and LNG bunkering

Orcas in Puget Sound. (Tifotter / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
case January 8, 2024

Protecting Salmon and Orcas from Puget Sound Wastewater Pollution

Working with four nonprofit environmental organizations — Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, RE Sources, Toxic-Free Future, and Waste Action Project — Earthjustice is advocating for more stringent pollution controls for the wastewater treatment plant to help protect salmon, orcas, and people.

In the News: King5 January 2, 2024

Warehouses on the way: King, Pierce counties see influx of new developments

Molly Tack-Hooper, Senior Attorney, Northwest Office: “These warehouses are highly automated. It’s a lot of robots moving things around, so the job increases are not actually there. The jobs associated with warehouses are decreasing as technology gets better in these warehouses and gets more automated.”

Press Release December 19, 2023

Clorpirifos, Pesticida Neurotóxico Previamente Prohibido, Nuevamente Permitido en Nuestros Alimentos

Se permitirá a Gharda y a la agricultura industrial vender y utilizar clorpirifos para la temporada de cultivo de 2024