What could go wrong?

In the March 24 issue of Reflections, the summation of the Watersheds Bill of Rights (20-373) states that the measure allows actions against corporations, governments, or other entities for violations.

Unfortunately, that is not what the measure actually says.

20-373 empowers resident lawsuits if a resident perceives a danger of damage to the watershed “even when there is not scientific certainty or full evidence of the risk.”

Don’t like that the lot next to you on the river is being rebuilt? Sue all the businesses working on it. You can’t sue an individual, but any business is fair game. For smaller businesses, even a nuisance lawsuit could be financially devastating. Because for a suit to be dismissed, a judge has to dismiss it. For most of us, that means hiring a lawyer.

Exempt from lawsuits? Individuals who don’t have a business. So (non-business-owning) people who spray their driveways every weekend, then wash the herbicide/fungicide into the storm drain? No problem.

While the proponents of this measure have repeatedly said that only bad actors need worry, that is not what the measure says.

We are not voting on what the proponents say the measure is. We are voting on the actual words of the actual measure. Read sections 2d through section 3 of 20-373 (https://cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3585797/File/Government/County Departments/County Administration/Operations/County Clerk/Elections/Initiative Text 7.26.23.pdf).

Residents suing any time they perceive a danger of damage…what could possibly go wrong?

Theresa Hausser

Vida