The editorial “Stand Up for Snohomish River by Seeking Legal Rights” highlights the urgent need to grant legal standing to the Snohomish River Watershed. This initiative, driven by Standing for Washington‘s “Standing for the Snoho” campaign in Everett, aims to counteract the recent weakening of federal environmental protections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the “Chevron deference” standard.
The editorial emphasizes that the removal of judicial deference to agency expertise could lead to less scientifically informed rulings, making it harder to protect our waters from pollution and overuse. The Snohomish River, which has been contaminated by various chemicals since the early 1900s, is now facing even greater threats.
Granting legal rights to the Snohomish River Watershed would empower the community to advocate for its protection in court, ensuring its inherent rights to exist, flourish, and regenerate. This approach recognizes the intrinsic value of nature and provides a powerful tool for community members to challenge polluters and unsustainable practices.
According to the editorial, by supporting this initiative, residents can take a bold step towards safeguarding the health of the Snohomish River and, by extension, their own health and well-being.
Read more at Comment: Stand up for Snohomish River by seeking legal rights, by Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine, The Everett Herald – HeraldNet, July 13, 2024.