October 2009

At a Glance:

FeatureRiver–And Salmon–Run FreeFifteen years of tough legal work brought down the Savage Rapids dam last week—and Earthjustice attorney Mike Sherwood was there to see the Rogue River run wild for the first time in 88 years. He talks of what this means in the continuing struggle to restore West Coast salmon. Read Q&A

"The biggest fish killer on the river."—Attorney, describing Savage Rapids dam on Rogue River.

Trip's ColumnEPA Needs Power To Govern ToxicsThe Environmental Protection Agency is powerless to keep toxic chemicals out of toys, carpets, cell phones and a myriad of other consumer products. What EPA wants, and we all need, is a federal law forcing chemical manufacturers to prove their chemicals are safe before they are approved, says Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen. Read More

In Court Against Cleaning GiantsEarthjustice attorney Keri Powell is going to court to force manufacturers of cleaning products to reveal what's in them. She's up against industry titans, but the law is on her side. Read More

Toxics Makers Change TacticsIt's hard to believe a sudden change of heart by chemical manufacturers in support of tougher federal regulation of toxic chemicals, says Earthjustice trustee Susan Britton. Read More

Support Us Help Us Protect America's Public Lands!Your gift will be doubled as we work to protect America's natural heritage.

	From Earthjustice's blog, unEARTHED:
	The ZukeFracking's smiley face has oily mouth. Read	David GuestPolluters fight to poison Florida waters. Read
	Brian SmithReckless plan to log Tongass. Read	Peter CampbellIt's Blog Action Day in U.S. Read

Around the world of Earthjustice:

Support Grows
In MTR AppealAn unprecedented collection of groups has joined with Earthjustice in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an important mountaintop removal mining case. Earthjustice, the Appalachian Center for the Economy & the Environment, and Public Justice filed a petition challenging a Fourth Circuit ruling on behalf of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and Coal River Mountain Watch. Trout Unlimited, the West Virginia Council of Churches and a number of scientists have now submitted briefs in support of the petition. A decision on whether to hear the case is expected to come from the court by winter.

In Support Of America's Best IdeaEarthjustice is a proud local sponsor of acclaimed director Ken Burns' new documentary series, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. The beautiful 6-part series captures the fascinating history, beauty, and courage behind the men and women who helped protect and establish America's most beloved public lands as national parks. View some of the amazing parks that Earthjustice has protected. Read More

Coal Plant Challenged In WashingtonAn air permit for a large coal plant in Centralia, Wash. has drawn legal opposition from Earthjustice on behalf of clients. The suit cites violations of clean air laws, and seeks controls for toxic mercury, haze and global warming pollutants in a revised permit. Read More

Earthjustice Events
The Trouble With SootJoin an online chat with Martin Wagner, head of Earthjustice's global warming work.
(Your Computer: Oct. 20 @ 11am PT) RSVP

Documentary Film ScreeningEarthjustice and Sierra Club invite you to a free screening of Coal Country. Families and communities in the mountains of Appalachia are deeply split over what is being done to their land. At issue is the latest form of strip mining: mountaintop removal. Special musical guests: Kathy Mattea, The Klezmatics, Jean Ritchie, Diana Jones. (NYC: Oct. 20 @ 7pm ET) RSVP

	Earthjustice and its allies won advances—or outright victories—across a broad front:
	Court Reverses Approval Of Engineered BeetsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture—under the Bush administration—illegally approved genetically engineered sugar beets, a federal court ruled last month, in support of Earthjustice legal action. The court ordered the USDA to conduct a rigorous assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of the crop on farmers and the environment. Read More	Injunction Protects Lake TahoeWhen Earthjustice won an injunction halting new pier development on Lake Tahoe, the San Francisco Chronicle cheered, "The lake doesn't just belong to property owners who have second homes along the shore, it belongs to all of us." Read More
	Desert Rock Returns To Drawing BoardIn a victory for Earthjustice and its allies, the air permit for the Desert Rock coal-burning power plant in New Mexico has been sent back to the Environmental Protection Agency for review. The Environmental Appeals Board of EPA ruled that further review and revision are needed because of failures to properly consider aggressive air pollutant control technologies, lack of complete consultation with wildlife experts about effects to endangered fish species, and because of EPA's ongoing reconsideration of some Bush policies regarding mercury, particulates and global warming pollutants. Read More

Take Action Earthjustice Action Alerts generate important victories. Stay up-to-date with what you can do to help tip the scales: Join us on Facebook, subscribe to action alerts, or visit Earthjustice today.

Connect
Join us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Watch us on YouTube!

Earthjustice. Because the earth needs a good lawyer. Earthjustice is the nation's leading, non-profit law firm for the environment. To learn more about our work, visit our website, http://www.earthjustice.org.

Photo Credits - TVA Kingston Fossil Plant coal ash spill: Brian Stansberry. Lake Tahoe: Neil Jacklin.
Roan Plateau, Colorado: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aspidoscelis/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

©2009 Earthjustice | 426 17th Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612 | 510-550-6700 | enews@earthjustice.org

If you experience difficulty viewing this message, please click on the link below:
http://action.earthjustice.org/earthjusticeaction/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=18642092

This email was delivered to you by Earthjustice. Update your personal information or remove your email address from Earthjustice's email list through your Subscription Management Page or by emailing Earthjustice.