Author: John Brock

Letter to the editor: City must reverse critical aquifer recharge area decision

Posted: June 29, 2024

Link to My Edmonds News article

Editor:

The City of Edmonds has just adopted a new critical aquifer recharge area (CARA) ordinance in spite of scientific evidence from the Olympic Water District about the presence of forever chemicals (PFAS) in stormwater. The changed CARA code will allow contaminated stormwater to infiltrate into the Deer Creek drinking water aquifer in southern Edmonds.

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Lawyers to Plastics Makers: Prepare for ‘Astronomical’ PFAS Lawsuits

At an industry presentation about dangerous “forever chemicals,” lawyers predicted a wave of lawsuits that could dwarf asbestos litigation, audio from the event revealed.

Hiroko Tabuchi

By Hiroko Tabuchi

May 28, 2024

Link to NY Times article

Industrial buildings, several with steam or smoke rising from them, line a riverbank.

A 3M plant on the Mississippi River. The company has faced legal action over manufacturing the chemicals.Credit…E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune, via Getty Images

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Future stewards lend a hand to baby salmon

My Edmonds News
Posted: May 27, 2024

Last week marked the final releases this year of “baby” coho salmon from Edmonds’ Willow Creek Salmon Hatchery into local streams to help the salmon populations in Puget Sound. On hand to help were community volunteers including future stewards of the environment and even Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen.

Lucy-and-Theo-Kopp-take-special-care-in-releasing-salmon-into-lower-Shell-Creek
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Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

Environmental Protection Agency
May 22, 2024

Summary

On April 10, 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. To inform the final rule, EPA evaluated over 120,000 comments submitted by the public on the rule proposal, as well as considered input received during multiple consultations and stakeholder engagement activities held both prior to and following the proposed rule. EPA expects that over many years the final rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.

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EPA designates 2 forever chemicals as hazardous substances, eligible for Superfund cleanup

By MATTHEW DALY
The Associated Press
April 19, 2024

Link to Seattle Times article

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan
Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, on May 12, 2021. The Environmental Protection Agency has designated two “forever chemicals” that have been used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday designated two forever chemicals that have been used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances, an action intended to ensure quicker cleanup of the toxic compounds and require industries and others responsible for contamination to pay for its removal.

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Council approves city code regarding critical aquifer recharge areas, hears fire service options

Posted: April 17, 2024

Link to My Edmonds News article

Councilmembers and Mayor Mike Rosen listen to William Sturgeon of Fitch and Associates present an assessment of options for future fire services.

Two major pieces of business before the Edmonds City Council Tuesday night were whether to approve a city code amendment regarding critical aquifer recharge areas (CARAs) and to learn more about the city’s options for fire and emergency medical services.

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Washington will move to tougher federal limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water

By: Bill Lucia
Washington State Standard
April 10, 2024

Link to article

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the rules Wednesday. The state established a program targeting the hazardous chemicals in drinking water in 2021.

 (Getty Images)

Washington regulators will adopt a drinking water standard the federal government issued Wednesday that’s meant to limit people’s exposure to a class of harmful chemicals used for decades in firefighting foam and manufacturing.

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Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard to Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution

EPA
April 10, 2024

As part of the Administration’s commitment to combating PFAS pollution, EPA announces $1B investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to address PFAS in drinking water

WASHINGTON – Today, April 10, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’

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WA’s public water systems would need $1.6 billion for initial PFAS cleanup, state officials say

By Isabella Breda and Manuel Villa
April 10, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the first national drinking water standard for six so-called forever chemicals Wednesday, a change that could cost Washington public water utilities an estimated $1.6 billion, according to state officials.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/biden-administration-reveals-first-drinking-water-standard-for-pfas