ACTION NEEDED by February 14th: Write the EPA Urging REAL Accountability for the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad/Eric Temple
Hey Friends,
Friends of Clark County and allies have learned about a proposed settlement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR)/Eric Temple regarding its unlawful destruction of the Curtin Creek and Chelatchie Prairie areas of Clark County. Outrageously, the settlement only proposes a $65,000 penalty on this multimillionaire, which is just a fraction of the cost of the environmental damage PVJR caused.
We see this type of action in the environmental advocacy world often: environmental law is put in place, but the penalties imposed are so small that they do not actually disincentivize corporations from breaking the law. When this is the case, the consequences of breaking the law is just seen as a cost of doing business. Let’s demand better for our community and give Eric Temple the gift of accountability this Valentine’s Day!
We’ve provided a template for you to send a letter to the EPA below. Feel free to make it your own, and send to r10_rhc@epa.gov by February 14th!
EPA Regional Hearing Clerk
Director, EPA Region 10,
1200 S. 6th Ave., Suite 155, 11-C07,
Seattle, WA 98101.
Delivered by email: r10_rhc@epa.gov
RE: docket number CWA-10-2025-0036
Proposed Settlement with Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad for Clean Water Act violations in the Curtin Creek area of Clark County, Washington
Dear EPA Regional Hearings Clerk,
I am a resident of Clark County in SW Washington and am highly concerned about the actions taken by the operator of the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad in both the Curtin Creek areas of central Clark County, as well as environmental violations in the pristine Chelatchie Prairie forests of northeast Clark County. As a resident, I have been acutely aware of the obvious environmental damage in these two locations for nearly three years.
We want the EPA to fine PVJR the maximum monetary penalty allowed under the law and require PVJR and Green Works Enterprises to admit malfeasance, in addition to restoring the land to the state and condition it was prior to it being decimated by the actions of PVJR and contract workers.
This penalty should also include the removal of all hazardous material and property at PVJR’s expense. The penalty must be equivalent to the level of destruction inflicted upon the community. The monetary amount should act as a deterrent to future unpermitted development that endangers the existing environment and the precious water supply that we all depend upon.
The proposed fines are no more than a slap on the wrist for the two aforementioned companies. The settlement does not require any admission of guilt, nor does it mention anything about the companies being required to be returned to its original state with trees and wetlands.
Civil Engineer, Geologist, Hydrologist and Hydraulic Engineer, Al O’Connor of Vancouver, Washington wrote: “More importantly is the fill Eric Temple / PVJR placed on the site has hazardous waste in it. The EPA and Ecology need to direct Eric Temple to remove the fill and haul it to a designated hazardous waste site. Runoff from this site will contaminate Curtin Creek, Curtin Creek Wildlife Area (constructed big dollars), 119th Street Curtin Creek Wildlife Area, and other public and private property in the area. EPA doesn’t even talk about the contamination of the site.”
Natural wetlands have been destroyed, and the pollution in the runoff is flowing into the Curtin Creek wetland and watershed. That ecosystem flows into Salmon Creek which is a spawning ground for salmon and other fish. Fish struggle to survive in polluted water.
It is unknown how long it will take for the pollution to reach the Troutdale Aquifer, which charges most of the wells in Clark County. We suspect the quality of our drinking water is at risk.
The proposed fine is not enough to balance out the damage done to the Barberton / Curtin Creek area. This has been ongoing for three years and it is time for the land to be put back to its original state.
I and others are asking for the Environmental Protection Agency to, at the very least, fine both companies / owners the maximum amount allowed under the law and publicly admit guilt in addition to being forced to put the land back to its original state with trees, wetlands and creeks. All repairs and removal of all hazardous materials should be at the expense of these two companies.
We will be anxiously awaiting your decision. Be assured that we, the residents of Clark County, are paying attention to the results of this investigation.
Best regards,
Your name