2023 Conference Presentations

Wednesday, April 26

8:15-9:00 Coffee & Welcome

Guy Gregory, Spokane River Forum Board

9:00-9:35 Plenary Session

The Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary: National & Local Perspectives

Gayle Killam, Water Policy Pathways

9:35-10:15 Panel Discussion

Caj Matheson, Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Jerry White, Spokane Riverkeeper; Rick Romero, Expo +50; Bruce Howard, Avista Utilities; BiJay Adams, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District

10:30-12:00 Concurrent Sessions

Evaluating, Understanding & Improving Our Waters, The Spokane River Basin

Annie Simpson, WA Department of Ecology, Cathrene Glick, Tanya Williams and Annie Simpson, WA Department of Ecology

Learn about water quality issues in the Spokane River Basin, and preliminary findings from the Spokane River Dissolved Oxygen Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) 10-Year Effectiveness Monitoring Assessment. Also, learn about 6PPD-quinone, its impacts to water quality, the cause, and Ecology’s response to this contaminant of emerging concern. Lastly, we’ll discuss a summary of the efforts of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force and plans for the group moving forward.

Groundwater Supply Planning & Spokane Area Investigations of the SVRP Aquifer

Nathan Sulya, City of Spokane; Dan Kegley and John Porcello, GSI Water Solutions; Colin Naake, City of Spokane; Jeremy Jenkins, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board; Anne Lynch and Gemma Dunn, GHD

Learn about projects under way by the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board and the City of Spokane to ensure that water quality and quantity are secure for future generations. This session includes projects that investigate: (1) risk of aggregate quarry mining and underground transmission of fuel that may pose a risk to water supply; (2) studies to evaluate City wells and services to assess future demand; and (3) planning efforts to meet water system demands over the next 20 years and create a sustainable, resilient, and affordable future that the community endorses.

Supporting Recreational and Native Fisheries from Stateline to Long Lake Dam

Casey Flanagan, Spokane Tribe of Indians; Chuck Lee, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife; Chris Moan, Avista Utilities; Casey Flanagan, Spokane Tribe of Indians

The Spokane River is very dynamic, with each reach or section providing its own unique challenges for fisheries management. Presenters will discuss their current projects within what’s commonly called the “upper reach,” “lower reach,” and Lake Spokane. Each has different recreational and native fishery needs and opportunities. Presenters will focus on efforts to control invasive species, monitor abundance, support native redband trout, and provide angler opportunities.

12:45-1:30 Plenary Session

Returning Salmon to the Spokane River

Andy Dunau, Spokane River Forum; Caj Matheson, Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Conor Giorgi, Spokane Tribe of Indians

1:45-3:15 Concurrent Sessions

Preparing for Salmon Homecoming

Steve Pozzanghera, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife; Caj Matheson, Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Conor Giorgi and Rick Raymondi, Spokane Tribe of Indians; Casey Baldwin, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Jack Nisbet, Historian

A multi-pronged approach operating on parallel paths is being used by area tribes and partners to pursue the return of salmon to the Spokane River Watershed. Learn about the outmigration study being conducted, rearing strategies, limiting factors analysis, habitat restoration strategy, and the role of cultural releases and outreach.

Spokane River PCB TMDL Development and Related Efforts

Lisa Dally Wilson, Dally Environmental; Brian Nickel, EPA; Doug Krapas, Inland Empire Paper; Lisa Dally Wilson, Dally Environmental; Brandee Era-Miller, WA Department of Ecology

EPA is developing PCB Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to address PCB contamination in the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. EPA will present on progress to date, next steps, and invite dialog on challenges and opportunities. Presentations will follow summarizing 10 years of PCB field work in the Spokane watershed by the SRRTTF and Department of Ecology, and efforts to petition EPA to reform TSCA, the federal act that addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals, including PCBs.

Water Conservation in Action

Tonilee Hanson, Spokane River Forum and Spokane Aquifer Joint Board; Kristen Zimmer, City of Spokane; Iris Mayes, University of Idaho Extension

Outdoor watering season has started, and conservation initiatives are springing into action. Learn about the City of Spokane’s Water Conservation Master Plan and the demand side implementation strategies that have collectively saved over 186 million gallons in 3 years. Find out how the University of Idaho Extension is promoting the use of drought tolerant and native plants. Explore the regional resources for leak detection, sprinkler systems, and landscapes at the Outdoor Watering Nerds website.

3:30-5:00 Concurrent Sessions

Addressing “Forever” Chemicals: PFAS in Drinking Water

Claire Nitsche and Barbara Morrissey, WA Department of Health; Jon Welge and Heather Gosack, Tetra-Tech; John Hancock, West Plains Water Coalition

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of “forever” chemicals associated with a wide range of health concerns. PFAS chemicals are increasingly found in drinking water across the country. Washington State Department of Health will provide background and next steps for their inter-agency response to PFAS in drinking water. Local presentations will review findings, risks, and community action regarding PFAS affecting West Plains wells and groundwater.

Aerial Imagery and Remotely Sensed Data to Support Watershed Monitoring and Restoration

Levi Keesecker, Washington State Conservation Commission; Jacob Taylor, Spokane Conservation District, Matt Stevenson, CORE GIS; Levi Keesecker, Washington State Conservation Commission; Abby Gleason, WA Department of Natural Resources

Join the pros to learn how Landsat, NAIP, LIDAR and other remote sensing tools are being developed to monitor changes in the quantity and quality of critical areas over time, model and prioritize efforts at the watershed scale, and support long-term planning. Additionally, WA Department of Natural Resources will share timing for release of new comprehensive LIDAR datasets and plans for future collaborative development.

Habitat Restoration and Land Conservancy

Seth Flanders, Washington State University; Kat Hall, The Lands Council, Mike Crabtree, Inland Northwest Lands Conservancy; Kristin Lowell, ID Department of Environmental Quality

Three highly innovative habitat restoration and lands conservancy efforts are energized by partnerships. They include installation and monitoring of Beaver Dam Analogs to achieve riparian ecosystem benefits such as aquifer storage, wetlands, and water quality improvement; Wolf Lodge Creek, ID watershed scale restoration initiative that addresses stream restoration, aquatic habitat improvement, supporting healthy resilient forests, and more; and successful efforts in the Little Spokane to acquire and preserve property to benefit fish, wildlife and sustainable recreation.