Learn more
Everett Initiative 24-03: A landmark victory for the Snohomish River Watershed
Empowering the Community to Protect Its Natural Resources
On November 5, 2024, Everett citizens made history by overwhelmingly approving Initiative 24-03, a groundbreaking measure that grants legal standing to the Snohomish River Watershed. This initiative represents a significant step forward in environmental protection and community-driven conservation.
What is Everett Initiative 24-03?
- Legal Standing: The initiative empowers any Everett resident or entity to enforce these rights through legal action against activities that negatively impact the watershed’s health.
- Restoration and Accountability: Violators of these rights can be held liable for damages, with funds directed towards restoring the watershed.
- Community Empowerment: By giving the community a voice, the initiative fosters a collective responsibility towards our natural resources and proactive protection.
- Sustainable Development: The initiative promotes responsible development practices that align with environmental preservation, fostering both economic and ecological resilience. It ensures that development projects consider the long-term health of the watershed, and use practices that align with environmental preservation, fostering both economic and ecological resilience.
- No New Taxes: Importantly, this initiative does not impose any new taxes on Everett citizens. Instead, it allows the city to use funds from legal actions for watershed restoration.

Key benefits
- Ecosystem Health: Ensures the watershed remains capable of filtering water, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating flood risks.
- Economic Stability: A healthy watershed supports local businesses and tourism, enhancing property values and community resilience. Healthy watersheds reduce costs associated with water treatment and enhance the quality of life for residents
- Future Generations: Provides for a stable way for the community to protect the watershed despite political changes.
The campaign
Highlights
- Significantly outspent: Grassroots campaign faced opposition mainly from deep-pocketed developers
- Endorsements: Endorsed by local elected official and member of the Yurok Tribe Charles Adkins, the 38th District Democrats, and Snohomish County Indivisible.
- Ordinance template: Developed by Standing for Washington using this ordinance template.

The outcome
With a clear majority, Everett residents voted in favor of protecting their watershed, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation over profit-driven development. This victory sends a powerful message about the community’s priorities
What This Means for Everett and Beyond
What’s next for Everett? Standing for Washington will be holding a community meeting in the spring to discuss:
- Enforcement: The City of Everett will now work on integrating these rights into local policy and practice.
- Community Involvement: We encourage ongoing community involvement in monitoring, advocacy, and ensuring that the spirit of Initiative 24-03 is upheld.
- Educational Initiatives: Continued education on the importance of our watershed and how to maintain its health will be key.
Initiative 24-03 is more than a local victory. It represents a transformative approach to environmental protection, recognizing that ecosystems have inherent rights that can be legally defended. The success in Everett opens the door for similar initiatives in other communities, demonstrating the power of direct democracy in environmental conservation.
Standing for Washington is committed to continuing our efforts to protect natural resources through local ballot measures and legislative advocacy.
Nature needs a voice. Be heard.
