Spokane river discharge permits receiving a lot of attention
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.
Water Quality
Forum conference participants weigh in on PCBs
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.
WSU & U of I awarded NSF grant to assess impact of urbanization and climate on region’s water supplies
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.
Balance the Load
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.
Let’s get started cleaning up the river
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.
Otter gets involved in bi-state river dispute
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.
Lawsuit over river discharges could be boon for wetland
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.
Numbers, science and fairness behind Idaho discharger challenge to DO TMDL
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.
Dead Carp washing up on Long Lake
At Long Lake, hundreds of dead carp are washing up on beaches, collecting under docks and creating a stink for residents living along the 24-mile reservoir.
Post Falls, Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board sue feds over Spokane River dissolved oxygen cleanup plan (TMDL)
The Post Falls City Council approved a resolution to file a lawsuit against the federal government over the Spokane River DO TMDL. The Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board is expected to join the suit.