OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Regarding Susan Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery vs. the City of Molalla Clean Water Act Lawsuit

*** City of Molalla OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Regarding Susan Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery vs. the City of Molalla Clean Water Act Lawsuit***

Contrary to any claims otherwise, the City of Molalla desired and in fact attempted to settle the Clean Water Act lawsuit brought by Ms. Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery as quickly as possible.  Lawyers for the City reached out to Ms. Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery through her attorneys at the Crag Law Center to discuss potential settlement after the receipt of the final 60-day notice letter, which was prior to any lawsuit being filed.  At that time, Crag declined to enter into settlement discussions, stating that Ms. Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery preferred instead to proceed with filing a federal lawsuit.  It was not until  seven months after the City’s initial offer to discuss settlement that Ms. Hansen, Bear Creek Recovery and their attorneys engaged in settlement discussions with the City’s attorneys.  Unfortunately, the filing of the suit by Ms. Hansen and  Bear Creek Recovery forced the City to spend a significant amount of money preparing to defend itself in court rather than on needed improvements to our utilities.  The choice to file the lawsuit rather than negotiate with the City was a choice made by Ms. Hansen and Bear Creek Recovery – not the City of Molalla.