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Protecting Orcas & Chinook from Toxics
The Problem
There are only 74 resident killer whales left in Puget Sound. The Chinook salmon they depend on for food are becoming more scarce and smaller. Both species are suffering the ill effects of toxic chemicals that pollute Puget Sound from sewage treatment plants, stormwater, industrial discharges, and polluted runoff from logging and farming. These chemicals include metals such as mercury, lead, zinc, and copper.  Puget Sound stormwater also includes deadly chemicals that come off tires. And sewage treatment plants discharge pharmaceuticals and personal care products also known to harm salmon.
How NWEA is Making a Difference
• NWEA has sued the Washington Department of Ecology to require modern sewage treatment technology for the over 100 sewage treatment plants that discharge toxics to Puget Sound.
• NWEA has sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its failure to make sure that Washington’s water quality standards for toxics are updated to protect Chinook salmon and orcas.
• NWEA has sued EPA for its failure to ensure that Washington develops pollution diets for toxic pollutants that are harming salmon and orcas.
• NWEA sued EPA for failing to protect salmon from toxic ammonia. In a 2018 settlement, EPA agreed to request the opinion of expert fish and wildlife agencies under the Endangered Species Act.
What You Can Do
• Sign up for NWEA Action Alerts
• Sign up for Ecology emails
• Connect your friends and family to the issue via social media
• Become a member of NWEA—with or without a financial contribution
Washington and federal agencies will propose significant actions over the coming year—actions that are guaranteed to fall well short of protecting Puget Sound. These agencies invite public comment, creating an opportunity for you to add your voice to the demand for change. Too often, agency actions are shaped to benefit special interests, not the public interest. That needs to stop. A growing population and climate change bring even more urgency to the longstanding need for strong regulatory actions to protect Puget Sound, its marine life, and its beaches. Here are some key opportunities to be heard:
Action Needed Now!
Washington Ecology: Mandate Modern Sewage Treatment for Puget Sound
After 20 years plus of foot–dragging, Ecology plans to allow 58 sewage treatment plants to keep discharging at current levels instead of making them reduce the amount of pollution they dump in Puget Sound.
In other words, Washington is not following the law and not protecting Puget Sound. Join with us to stop Washington’s business-as-usual approach to Puget Sound and help save the Chinook salmon and Puget Sound’s resident orcas.
Victory for Puget Sound
EPA Must Act on Toxics, Court Orders
