Community Victories
Land use, Environmental Justice, and Environmental Health.
Crag Stops Nestlé From Bottling Water in the Columbia Gorge
In October 2017, after a long-fought battle, Crag and local conservation groups defeated Nestlé’s plan to bottle water from a pristine section of the Columbia River National Scenic Area and to build a plant in Cascade Locks.
Illegal Asphalt Plant in Rogue Valley Stopped- Numerous Appeals Later
In 2016, after an appeal made by the Mountain View Paving Company, the Land Use Board of Appeals sided with Crag and Rogue Advocates to force an asphalt plant to move away from Bear Creek.
Crag Secures a Ban on Pesticides in Compost Used in Organic Food Production
In 2016, Crag and the Center for Food Safety fought on behalf of several nonprofits to close a USDA loophole that had allowed synthetic pesticides in compost used for organic production, arguing that the USDA had unlawfully changed organic regulations and created the loophole without allowing public participation.
Crag Helps Molalla Residents Win Clean Water Act Protections
On September 4th, 2015, Crag secured federal court approval of an agreement to settle a lawsuit against the City of Molalla for violations of the Clean Water Act brought on behalf of local conservation group, Bear Creek Recovery.
Development Along the White Salmon River Blocked
In 2013 Crag celebrated a victory with our clients, Friends of the White Salmon River and Friends of the Columbia Gorge, in blocking an ordinance that attempted to rezone 1,000 acres of riverside land along the White Salmon River.
Industrial Expansion of Port Westward Halted
In August 2014, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals rejected the Port of St. Helens’ plan to rezone prime farmland for industrial development, which would double the size of Port Westward, after a challenge by Crag and longtime client Columbia Riverkeeper.
Grand Island Farmland Protected from Gravel Mine
On October 10, 2012, the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) issued a decision that Yamhill County’s approval of the Grand Island gravel mine was flawed. Since 2010, Crag has walked the local farmers through the process of organizing and challenging the proposal.
Unfair Settlement Over Toxic Waste Dump Stopped at Alkali Lake
In 2012, Crag represented local residents in the high desert of Oregon to object to a settlement between the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Bayer Cropscience, the company that made and profited from the sale of the toxic chemical Agent Orange.
Crag Fights for Inupiat Communities for the Second Time
In January of 2011, the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) in Washington D.C. rejected two air permits issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Shell Oil for proposed offshore drilling projects in the Arctic for the second time.
Crook River Destination Resort Rejected by LUBA
Crag saved a wild stretch of Oregon’s coast near the Pistol River from being developed into a large destination resort and golf course.
Crag Secures Landmark Environmental Justice Victory for Rosemere Neighborhood
On September 17, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the EPA’s Office of Civil Rights had violated its regulations by systematically failing to address discrimination complaints filed by communities that are suffering from environmental pollution.
200,000 Acres of Wilderness and Water Source Area Protected on Mt. Hood
In 2009, Crag Law Center helped usher the Mt. Hood Wilderness legislation through Congress and to President Obama’s desk. The legislation adopted a hard-fought settlement that was intended to permanently protect the North side of Mt. Hood at Cooper Spur.