Supreme Court rejects challenge to no-spray buffers around salmon streams

[Rainscents]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002730286_websalmon09.html

SEATTLE – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear an appeal of a ruling that banned the use of pesticides around Western salmon streams.

"We're very happy," said Patti Goldman, an attorney with the environmental law firm Earth justice. "There have been many attempts by the chemical industry and the growers to get rid of the buffers; we now know they will remain in place."

Another win for the environmental and us (DUer environment activist)!!!

Bad news for BUSH!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[ewoden]

1. Now somebody has to ask how the EPA is

getting along with completing their legal responsibilities (under Section 7 of the ESA)to Consult with NOAA on pesticede impacts to the salmon. How many pesticide registration endangered species assessments in the Pacific Northwest are actually completed for salmonids let alone other species?

[BikeWriter]

2. I hope we can continue this. Otherwise, we're history.

[rodeodance]

3. they were fighting Bush's EPA! (it is no longer "our" EPA .I am convinced)

.....In January 2004, two years after finding that the Environmental Protection Agency had failed to consider the effect of pesticides on protected salmon, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle imposed a 100-yard buffer for aerial spraying and a 20-yard buffer for ground application of three dozen pesticides, from agricultural sprays to household weed-killers.

His injunction also required that stores selling pesticides in 500 communities in the West post warnings about the potential effect of seven common pesticides on salmon and steelhead. The signs read: "SALMON HAZARD. This product contains pesticides which may harm salmon and steelhead. Use of this product in urban areas can pollute salmon streams."

The judge's conditions will remain in effect until the EPA comes up with rules governing the use of pesticides around the streams in question.

The EPA, pesticide makers and farming groups appealed Coughenour's injunction, saying that environmental groups had not shown that the pesticides would cause irreparable harm. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal rejected their appeal last June.

[Benhurst]

4. Good!

I hate to add a cynical note; but guess who can afford to eat smoked salmon.

A win for us; but also a win for the inside the Beltway crowd.

Oh well, you have to take your victories where you find them in BushAmerica.