Our Mission
Friends of Toppenish Creek is dedicated to protecting the rights of rural communities and improving oversight of industrial agriculture. FOTC operates under the simple principle that all people deserve clean air, clean water and protection from abuse that results when profit is favored over people. FOTC works through public education, citizen investigations, research, legislation, special events, and direct action.
In June of this year 157 people out of every 100,000 had died from COVID 19 in the Upper Yakima County and 200 people out of every 100,000 had died in the Lower Yakima County
Through a public records request, the Friends of Toppenish Creek received data from the WA State Dept. of Health regarding incidence rates and death rates from COVID 19 by zip code in Yakima County. To see that data and read FOTC analysis click here.
Yakima County - Worst Air in Washington State
Figure 8.28. Winter season NH3 emissions contributions by source for Yakima County, from the 2011 Washington Comprehensive Emissions Inventory. page 99 of the Yakima Air Winter Nitrates Study.
- Infections and deaths from COVID 19 are worse in Yakima County compared to the rest of Washington State. Research from Harvard finds increased sickness and death from COVID 19 in counties with higher levels of fine particulate matter.
- Incidence rates for cardiovascular disease are above average in Yakima County. The EPA has confirmed a direct connection between heart disease and PM 2.5 air pollution.
- Yakima County has the worst levels of PM 2.5 in Washington State and levels in the lower county are worse than levels in the upper county. (Monitor Reports, Design Value Reports, Tile Values)
- Air quality in Yakima County is getting worse.
- The Yakima Air Winter Nitrate Study found that over 30% of fine particulate matter in Yakima County is due to ammonium nitrate.
- A study by the Center for Disease Control in Harrah found hydrogen sulfide levels above the odor threshold; found PM 2.5 levels midway between levels in the City of Yakima (lower) and levels in the City of Toppenish (higher).
- A study by John Hopkins University found elevated levels of bovine allergens at distances up to three miles from dairy operations.
- A study by the University of Washington found decreased pulmonary function in asthmatic children during periods with elevated ammonia levels.
- A WA State University study of emissions from two LYV dairy barns estimates emissions of particulate matter, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds. The results suggest that these dairy emissions should be regulated in Yakima County.
- The WA State Dept. of Agriculture estimates that 35% of all nitrogenous by-products from dairy animals volatilizes - ends up in the air.
- A Friends of Toppenish Creek study in the Lower Yakima Valley found ammonia levels 63 times higher than levels in a control setting in the Upper Yakima Valley.
- A study by the Latino Community Fund listed air quality among the highest priorities for families that live in the LYV.
- FOTC has asked Yakima County to dissolve the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency and allow the WA State Dept. of Ecology to regulate Yakima County air, because:
- Yakima County has public health problems that the YRCAA refuses to address.
- Yakima County air emissions contribute to climate change and the YRCAA refuses to address climate change.
- The YRCAA does not comply with Washington laws regarding air quality regulation.
- The YRCAA supports dairy interests and ignores citizen concerns.
- Air quality in the LYV is bad and getting worse.
Victory for Water