Satterberg Foundation

The mission of Center for Environmental Law & Policy (CELP) is to protect and restore the freshwater resources, that is, the rivers and drinking water aquifers, of Washington State.  

Satterberg funds supported CELP's Water Rights 911 project, which promotes positive engagement by citizens in their communities through educated and effective environmental stewardship.   

CELP worked with Dry Creek Coalition near Port Angeles to persuade the Department of Ecology to issue an enforcement order directing a “sprintboat” racetrack operator to halt illegal diversions of water from a wetland, evaluated a settlement agreement regarding Cal-Portland Cement’s proposal to de-water an aquifer near Dupont and the impacts that could have on Sequilatchew Creek; and  provided advice regarding administrative appeal procedures to MYTAPN – a citizens group challenging air quality permits issued for diesel generators being used at Microsoft’s Quincy data center – and then referred that group on to Sierra Club for additional assistance.

This year CELP also participated as a “friend of the court” in a Supreme Court case that resulted in a directive to Kittitas County to adopt and implement growth management regulations that protect water resources.  This case provides a new opportunity to communicate with every county land use planning agency in Washington about their water resource-related duties.  CELP's alliances with local activists and Indian tribes, developed through the 9-1-1 program, will be invaluable in pursuing water reform at the county level.

Photos by John Osborn