As many of you know, Standing for Nature (the 501c3 organization affiliated with Standing for Washington) has intervened in a lawsuit filed earlier this year by development and business interests—including the Master Builders Association—seeking to overturn Everett Initiative 24-03, the voter-approved ordinance recognizing the rights of the Snohomish River Watershed and giving it legal standing to protect those rights.
We’ve filed a Motion to Dismiss the case on the grounds that the plaintiffs have no standing and that their claims are too speculative to be heard in court. The law has not been enforced against them, and they haven’t shown any actual harm. Washington courts have consistently rejected lawsuits based on vague fears about what might happen in the future. We argued that the court should respect the will of Everett voters and dismiss the case.
Read more background on the case with links to the pleadings here.
Waiting for a Ruling—Likely This Week
We’re currently awaiting a ruling from the court on our Motion to Dismiss—expected sometime this week. Unfortunately, during the recent hearing, the judge expressed skepticism about the legal validity of the initiative, suggesting that she may allow the case to move forward.
While that’s not the result we are hoping for, it’s not the end of the road.
What Happens Next?
If the Motion to Dismiss is denied, the case will proceed to the next phase, where the legal validity of the initiative itself will be argued in full—most likely through a Motion for Summary Judgment. That means we’ll be back in court defending the core ideas behind the initiative: that ecosystems like the Snohomish River Watershed deserve legal protection and that the community should have a voice in defending them.
Why It Matters
This is about more than one initiative. It’s about whether communities can act locally to protect clean water, healthy ecosystems, and a livable future. If special interests succeed in striking down this law, it could set a dangerous precedent limiting future environmental protections at the local level.
How You Can Help
We are up against well-funded opponents. Standing for Nature has been working hard to defend this lawsuit ourselves—but we urgently need financial support to keep up the fight. Donations will go directly toward legal expenses and outreach efforts to keep the community informed and involved.
If you support our work to defend the Snohomish River Watershed and local democracy, please consider making a donation today: standingforwashington.org/donate
Thank you for standing with nature.
Rachel Kurtz-McAlaine, Co-Founder, Standing for Nature/Standing for Washington
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