Various towns and small cities in Eastern Washington have spent small fortunes upgrading their sewage systems as required by law, and the state Department of Ecology says it’s satisfied with their progress toward compliance. But a private Seattle-based group that calls itself Waste Action Project is suing the towns anyway, holding large potential financial penalties over their heads. For example, citing the remedy provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, it’s demanding $27,500 a day in fines, going back over 16 years, against the Lincoln County town of Wilbur, population 880, which has already spent millions on improvements in an attempt to bring itself into compliance with the Act. “The law also allows Waste Action to collect attorney fees if it proves violations that were reported by the defendants. The cities are required to report violations to the Department of Ecology and the lawsuits are based on the defendants’ own admissions.” Wilbur Mayor Don Reid is less than charitable about the motives of the environmental group, which has filed at least 40 enforcement actions around the state: “The purpose of their action is to put some money in their pocket, but they’re trying to hide that,” he charged. Seattle attorney and Waste Action co-founder Richard Smith calls that accusation “ridiculous”: “I am a competent lawyer,” he said. “I can make a hell of a lot of money doing other things than this.” (John Craig, “Sewage suits rile East Side towns”, Spokane Spokesman-Review, Apr. 5)(Mar. 3 council meeting minutes, town of Wilbur)(PDF). See also Jul. 23, 2001 (first item).

Filed under: environment, Seattle