Year: 2010

Idaho dischargers consider wastewater lawsuit over permit regulations

July 6, 2010

The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday, July 6th will consider a resolution that affirms filing a lawsuit over phosphorus discharge permit regulations. The lawsuit stems from EPA’s acceptance of a DO TMDL that regulates phosphorus discharge in Washington. EPA, using modeling developed with Washington looking at wastewater treatment discharge impacts from Post Falls to Long Lake dam, expects to issue permits to Idaho dischargers within months.

Conservation groups call to tighten proposed Ecology regulations for stormwater in Eastern Washington

July 2, 2010

Area conservation groups sent a letter to Ecology asking proposed that eastern Washington regulations for stormwater permits be tightened. These regulations can affect the Spokane River and other waterbodies throughout the region.

Ecology, EPA and IDEQ respond to Spokane River Stewardship Partners request for meeting and information

July 2, 2010

The Spokane River Stewarship Partners and Ecology/EPA/IDEQ exchanged letters regarding a meeting and clarification of DO TMDL implementation questions.

County sewage plant working toward permits to discharge effluent into the Spokane River

May 28, 2010

Spokane County’s 167 million dollar sewage treatment plant could become operational by early 2012. This assumes the Department of Ecology will issue a permit to discharge treated effluent into the Spokane River. The Spokesman Review reports.

EPA approves Ecology DO TMDL for Spokane River

May 21, 2010

12 years of study and numerous collaborative efforts has culminated in EPA approving Washington’s DO TMDL (also called a Water Quality Improvement Plan) for the Spokane River.

Ecology steps into Coyote Rock dock fight

May 13, 2010

As many as thirty docks in an especially scenic and ecologically important stretch of the Spokane River are proposed as part of the Coyote Rock development. The City of Spokane Valley and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are approving permits for these docks one at a time. Washington Department of Ecology has a different view. Siding with the Spokane Riverkeeper and Trout Unlimited, Ecology filed a petition contesting the exemption for failing “to contain appropriate conditions to address cumulative effects arising from the reasonably foreseeable construction of similar docks in the area.” The Center for Justice reports.

Ecology upholds Spokane River DO TMDL water quality improvement plan

May 6, 2010

Ted Sturdevant, director of the Washington Department of Ecology, said Wednesday that he stands behind his agency’s ambitious plan to reduce phosphorus flowing in the Spokane River. The Spokesman Review reports.

Ecology Director upholds Spokane River DO TMDL

May 5, 2010

The director of the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has determined that the conditions in the Spokane River’s water quality improvement plan should be upheld. Ted Sturdevant’s decision follows a review of the plan by a dispute resolution panel that met April 5, 2010, to hear concerns raised by several stakeholders.

Spokane River Cleanup Saturday, April 24th

April 22, 2010

Enterprising recreation students from the University of Idaho will be leading a cleanup effort from Harvard Road (Put-in) to Mirabeau Park (Take-out). Saturday, April 24th, 10:00 am.

Spokane Riverkeeper, full-time employee sought

April 19, 2010

The Spokane Riverkeeper is responsible for the development and implementation of an advocacy program to prevent pollution and habitat degradation in the Spokane River and its watershed. See attached for employment details.

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