Judge invalidates legal rights for Snohomish River approved by voters

EVERETT — A Snohomish County Superior Court judge invalidated the 2024 initiative granting the Snohomish River standing legal rights on Wednesday, citing that the law exceeded local initiative power and conflicted with preexisting state and federal regulations.

Last November, the city of Everett passed an initiative that granted the Snohomish River legal standing rights in court. The initiative allowed city residents to take legal action against activities within city limits that negatively impact the watershed’s health, and added Everett to a growing list of states and countries worldwide that are joining the Rights of Nature movement.

The movement stems from indigenous mindsets that believe environments and natural entities should have the same rights as people to be protected and flourish.

In January, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties and local Everett developers, including the Robinett Brothers, Greencity Development and Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association, filed a complaint in Snohomish County Superior Court against the initiative.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/law-granting-snohomish-river-legal-rights-is-invalidated/