Can a pipeline disaster like the one on the Yellowstone River near billings happen here? Yes, say those who keep a close eye on the Spokane River, including the top water officials at both the city and county of Spokane. The Inlander Reports
Any watercraft transported into Idaho is required to stop at an invasive species inspection station. The battle to stop quagga and zebra mussels from entering our water ways.
June began with a number of articles and editorials related to Spokane County efforts to receive a draft discharge permit. Articles and related material attached.
At the Spokane River Forum conference on May 24th, over 150 participants from around the region met to learn about PCBs and discuss the opportunities and challenges of reducing their presence in the Spokane River. Presentations attached.
Water researchers and social scientists across the region are embarking on a two-year sustainability study to contribute to a greater understanding of human influence on water resources within the Spokane – Coeur d’Alene Corridor (SCC) in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. WSU and U of I news release.
Kelly Susewind, Water Quality Program Manager for Washington Department of Ecology, provides an editorial supporting moving forward with implementing the Spokane River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL (water cleanup) plan. An Inlander commentary.
Kelly Susewind, Water Quality Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, provided the Coeur d’Alene Press a guest editorial regarding implementation of the Spokane River clean up plan (or DO TMDL) and litigation Idaho municipalities filed challenging the plan.
Idaho Governor Otter and Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss how Idaho agencies that discharge wastewater to the river can avoid a costly court battle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A lawsuit over river discharges threatens the January 2012 startup of a new Spokane County sewage treatment plant, so officials are working on a backup. Plan B, restoration of a wetland with treated wastewater, requires county officials to exercise many of the land-use tools in their kit – and one that doesn’t yet exist. The Spokesman Review reports.
The Forum worked with experts to create a lay person’s guide to understanding what’s at stake and the debate behind Idaho dischargers challenging the DO TMDL.