Snohomish Tribune: In a bold move to protect the environment, Standing for Washington has launched a signature-gathering campaign for a local rights of nature initiative. This initiative seeks to grant legal standing to the Snohomish River watershed, allowing it to be represented in court if harmed or damaged The campaign aims to collect approximately 3,000 signatures by early August to present the initiative to the Everett City Council.
If the initiative gains enough support, it will be included on the November ballot, giving Everett residents the power to enforce the watershed’s rights in court. This groundbreaking measure represents a significant step towards environmental protection and sustainability in Everett, ensuring the natural flow, maintaining water quality, and supporting native plants and wildlife.
The health of the Snohomish River watershed directly impacts human health, Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokeswoman Meghan Jordan said.
“In general, the health of the air we breathe, water we drink or recreate in, and local food we eat can have a direct impact on human health,” Jordan said in an email. “Additional toxins in our rivers and streams such as flame retardants (found in Chinook salmon fish tissue) in the Snohomish Estuary can move through the food chain and potentially end up creating health risks for people who consume them.”
Read the full article at Everett initiative is to let Snohomish River watershed bear legal rights, by McKenna Sweet, Snohomish County Tribune, May 22, 2024.
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Update: The “Standing for the Snoho” initiative got enough signatures and is on the November 5, 2024 ballot in Everett, WA as Everett Initiative 24-03, recognizing legally enforceable rights for the Snohomish River Watershed. Read more about the initiative and vote YES on Everett 24-03 by November 5!