Wetland Pollution & Endangered Species Threat
River Watch vs. City of Willits
Case Number: C-02 00609 JCS
Date filed: August 30, 2002
Background: After six months of negotiating with very little cooperation
from Willits staff or city council, River Watch was forced to file suit. Willits
admitted violating the law and polluting water but maintained that public health
and the environment can wait until it can fund and build its new treatment plant
and wetlands project six years from now. River Watch was concerned that the current
Willits plan would not adequately solve the water pollution problem. Willits was
discharging excess effluent to sensitive wetlands containing endangered plant species
when it could not meet its dilution ration during direct discharge. The often-inundated
wetland would then create polluted runoff into a nearby creek.
RW Action and Results: Instead of penalties, River Watch sought a commitment
from Willits to either fund and/or complete separate environmental projects as outlined
by EPA Guidelines, including monitoring upstream and downstream of all discharges
and resolving collection system violations. Willits will cease its illicit discharges
to wetlands during the winter months and will conduct a compliance audit and comprehensive
creek and sewer line study.