Groups To Sue Epa Over River Poisons

Thu., July 27, 2000

From Staff Reports

Conservation groups have warned the Environmental Protection Agency they will sue under the Endangered Species Act if the government fails to protect salmon from pesticides.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and the Washington Toxics Coalition have submitted the 60-day notice required by law before a lawsuit can be filed against a federal agency.

“It’s no secret that many pesticides are real hazards for Northwest salmon,” said Norma Grier, executive director of the Northwest Coalition. “Pesticides are in our rivers at levels that impact fish, and it’s time EPA stopped ignoring its duty to protect salmon when regulating pesticides.”

Activist Aimee Code said while pesticide labels warn against allowing them to get into fish-bearing streams, they do not tell consumers how to accomplish that.

Research shows that pesticides at levels too low to kill fish can still cause behavioral changes and reproduction problems, Code added.

EPA spokesman Mark MacIntyre said the agency could not comment on pending litigation.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Groups To Sue Epa Over River Poisons

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

72-year-old Spokane motorcyclist dies in I-90 crash in Cd'A

‘A chilling image’: Judge rules on appeal in Meridian man’s viral arrest

Boundary County man accused of shooting at law enforcement was intoxicated, searching for police on his property, deputy says