Something doesn’t look right on the water? Now you can do something about it! We’ve launched a brand-new pollution reporting tool on our website to make it easier than ever for you to report illegal discharges, suspicious debris, derelict vessels, and other pollution concerns in Commencement Bay and across the South Sound. Whether you’re out on a walk, paddling near the shore, catching some fish, or just spot something strange from your window, you can use the tool to: * Pin the location of the pollution * Upload a photo and description * Send your report directly to CHB for investigation and follow-up Our team will route reports to the appropriate agencies, document trends, and, when needed, use this data to support advocacy, legal action, or public awareness. SUBMIT A POLLUTION REPORT (https://www.healthybay.org/pollution-report/) More coming soon: a live, interactive map that will display recent pollution reports and hotspots across the region. This public map will help inform community conversations and hold repeat offenders accountable, because transparency fuels change. Clean water starts with all of us. Thanks for helping keep an eye out! CHB Opposes CalPortland Mine Expansion in DuPont The Pioneer Aggregates South Parcel Project—a proposed expansion by CalPortland (a Glacier Northwest subsidiary) of its existing gravel mine near Sequalitchew Creek and Edmond Marsh in DuPont—aims to increase mining operations by about 188 acres over the next 14 years. This matters because: • Threat to groundwater and wetlands: The project includes large-scale dewatering of the Vashon Aquifer, risking a drop in water levels by up to 9 feet in Edmond Marsh and dry creek conditions along Sequalitchew Creek, which supports sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. • Permits permanent wetland loss: Wetlands like the Kettle Wetland and parts of the marsh complex are slated for elimination, to be “mitigated” by less mature constructed wetlands, a poor substitute for longstanding natural habitats. • Cultural & recreational impacts: The expansion reaches right up to Sequalitchew Creek Trail and historically significant areas, threatening public access, scenic values, and Tribal cultural sites. CHB submitted a formal comment letter opposing the proposed expansion of the CalPortland gravel mine, citing severe risks to water, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Our key concerns include: * Disproportionate impacts to Tribal lands and cultural resources of the Nisqually Tribe * Permanent ecological harm to Edmond Marsh and Sequalitchew Creek from aquifer drawdown * Degraded water quality and disrupted habitat for fish and wildlife * Flawed and temporary mitigation measures that fail to provide lasting protections * Violation of DuPont’s own Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes no-net-loss of wetlands and preservation of natural and cultural resources We urged the City to reject the project and stand up for environmental justice, public health, and long-term community values. To learn more about this project, visit the City of DuPont website. NEW: Submit Your Environmental Policy Questions or Concerns Have a concern about a local plan, policy, or development project? Want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood? Our new policy question and comment form lets you raise issues directly with our team. SHARE YOUR CONCERN (https://www.healthybay.org/policy-questions/) Waves of Glass: Where Science Meets Art This spring, 18 middle and high school students from across Tacoma joined CHB and Hilltop Artists for a five-week journey connecting art, science, and the environment. The program started on the water with a CHB-led South Sound patrol, where students got a firsthand look at marine life, pollution sources, and the beauty of the local shoreline. Inspired by what they saw, they headed to the hot shop to learn glassblowing, fusing, and flameworking techniques from Hilltop Artists’ skilled instructors. Their final creations? One-of-a-kind glass artworks and a stunning collaborative sculpture shaped like a sea pillar, covered in barnacles and marine life. It’s a tribute to the South Sound ecosystem, and a reminder that youth voices and creativity have a vital role in environmental storytelling. The next session of Waves of Glass will occur in the fall. This program is made possible with the support of Tacoma Creates. Mark Your Calendar: Tacoma Earth Gay Celebrate Tacoma Earth Gay with CHB and friends on July 26, 10am-2pm, at Swan Creek Park! Join us to learn about the environment and how we can work together to achieve clean water, clean air, and healthy forests in Tacoma. REGISTER TO ATTEND (https://www.tfaforms.com/5178798) Partnering for Greener, Healthier Neighborhoods We’re proud to continue our partnership with Tacoma Tree Foundation, an organization rooted in community and climate resilience. Together, we’re creating opportunities for people to explore the powerful connections between trees, stormwater, and environmental justice in urban spaces. Summer Solstice Tree Walk Recap On June 21, CHB and Tacoma Tree Foundation co-hosted a thoughtful walk through downtown Tacoma, from the UW campus to the Thea Foss Waterway. Along the way, participants learned about native tree species, stormwater flow, and the geology that shapes our shoreline. Special thanks to CHB Board Member Barry Goldstein and Tree Foundation Founder Sara Lowe for guiding the way. Upcoming Event: Wapato Hills Climate Walk – July 19, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM As part of PNW Climate Week, we’re teaming up again with Tacoma Tree Foundation—alongside other local partners—for a community walk at Wapato Hills. This event will highlight how trees, access to green space, and community-led climate solutions go hand in hand. Come explore what resilience looks like on the ground. LEARN MORE ABOUT PWN CLIMATE WEEK (https://pnwclimateweek.org) CHB Files Clean Water Act Lawsuit Against Temco, LCC On June 16, 2025, Communities for a Healthy Bay filed a lawsuit against Temco, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleging ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act at its grain export facility on the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma. The complaint outlines two primary allegations: Stormwater Permit Violations: CHB alleges that Temco has repeatedly exceeded benchmark levels for pollutants such as turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), and heavy metals under Washington’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP). These exceedances were allegedly not followed by required updates to the facility’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or improvements to its Best Management Practices (BMPs). In addition, CHB alleges that Temco has failed to comply with monitoring and reporting requirements, including missing or incomplete Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) for multiple quarters. Unauthorized Discharges: CHB further alleges that Temco has discharged grain and grain dust into the waters of Commencement Bay without the necessary authorization under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. These are allegations only; the court has not yet determined whether any violations have occurred. We will continue to provide updates as the case moves forward. A reminder that Jack Hyde Beach remains under a surface water advisory due to high levels of bacteria. Swimming and wading are not recommended at this time. As summer heats up, CHB is looking into the recurring closures at this site. Access to clean, safe swimming water is a basic public health need and we’re committed to investigating the root causes and advocating for lasting solutions. If you see any pollution concerns in the area, please remember to report them! CHECK CURRENT BEACH ADVISORIES (https://tpchd.org/environment/surface-water/advisories/) Thank you for being a part of CHB’s community! Together, we’re protecting clean water, holding polluters accountable, and building a healthier, more just South Sound. Take Action: 💙 Donate to CHB (https://www.healthybay.org/donate/make-a-gift/) 📝 Report Pollution (https://www.healthybay.org/pollution-report/) 💬 Ask a Policy Question (https://www.healthybay.org/policy-questions/) 👀 See Upcoming Events (https://www.healthybay.org/events/) 📸 Follow Us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/communitiesforahealthybay/) Copyright (C) 2025 Communities for a Healthy Bay. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in the Communities for a Healthy Bay mailing list. 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