SNOHOMISH COUNTY. Residents living near Cadman, Inc. a quarry and mine south of Everett began a lawsuit against the concrete company in January over property damages. Cadman has incurred the anger of residents over a number of issues. Most severely, in October 1993, a Cadman blast destroyed an underground spring which had fed at least 12 local wells. Flooding resulting from the blast also destroyed a neighboring wetland. It was discovered that Cadman had been mining without a permit since 1984. Cadman critics contend that the quarry site was left barren far in excess of the 10 acres that are allowed by county law to stand unreclaimed at any one time-see photo this page. (People for the Preservation of Tualco Valley)

KLICKITAT COUNTY. Two dozen Native Americans and guests at Lyle Point were arrested along the Columbia River in August '94 while holding a religious ceremony at a traditional site. The site is earmarked for development into vacation homes for windsurfers. Earlier in the month, a longhouse and other tribal properties were vandalized and burned. The Governor's office denied involvement in the arrests until photos were presented showing state police involvement. (The Native Forest Network urges you to send letters urging protection of the site to Sen. Patty Murray, 302 Hart Senate Office Bldg.,Wash. DC, 20510)

PUGET SOUND. People for Puget Sound has released its second annual State-Of-The-Sound assessment, which includes the following facts: Harvests of most fish are at the lowest levels in over 55 years; Over 70% of tidal wetlands have been destroyed in the last century; Harvest from nearly half of all commercial shellfish beds is curtailed due to pollution; 70% of state water bodies do not meet quality standards, while state assistance for water quality improvement declines; The population around Puget Sound continues to grow at the rate of one million every 20 years. (Sound & Straits)

OREGON. The Portland Free Press has printed a chilling investigation on radioactive waste dumping next to the Willamette River near Albany by Teledyne Wah Chang. In 1974, employee Dennis Williams was ordered to dump barrels of radioactive thorium. The company filled the barrels over with layers of sand and rock to prevent future discovery. Despite Williams' testimony during the 1980's about the dumping, another Teledyne whistleblower, Chris Hall, came to the conclusion by 1992 that the EPA and other officials, as a coverup, were drilling test wells only in places that had not yet been contaminated by the thorium. The article by John Titus cites a report that seven employees involved in the illegal dumping have since died of cancer.

NORTHWEST. The Bonneville Power Administration is considering scrapping four pilot wind and geothermal power plants, despite assurances last summer from BPA administrator Randy Hardy that these renewable energy projects would be exempt from cost-cutting measures. Under federal law, renewables must be given highest priority. Advocates of wind energy estimate that most of Oregon's current energy needs could be met by harnessing the wind power on 2% of Oregon's land area. (Northwest Conservation Act Coalition)

DIOXINTOWN, USA. A study by Greenpeace suggests that the Environmental Protection Agency knew since 1988 that the production of PVC plastics (used frequently in piping and other construction products) is a major source of dioxin and other carcinogens in the environment. The EPA has, however, not regulated the toxins from PVC production. PVC's are also the largest source of dioxin resulting from the incineration of municipal wastes. Research evidence links dioxin with cancer, immunodeficiency, and fertility problems in men. (Greenpeace via In These Times)

SURINAME. In Suriname, a country in northeast South America, the government is seeking to lease 25% of the country's land area to international timber cutters. The land is currently inhabited by Amerindian and Maroon tribes (descendants of escaped slaves). (Rainforest Action Network encourages you to fax protests to the President of Suriname at 011-597-475-266)

HOLLYWOOD. Despite a few movie stars who've spoken out for environmental causes, movie sets in Tinsel Town are a large source of garbage and wasted lumber. Seven major studios reported a total of nearly 30,000 tons of waste to landfills in 1990, 37 percent of which was lumber. Science fiction and fantasy films with elaborate sets are especially to blame, and many productions spend close to $20 million on construction costs for sets that are scrapped after filming. (The Bear Essential)

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Contents on this page were published in the April/May, 1995 edition of the Washington Free Press.
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