Conservation groups call to tighten proposed Ecology regulations for stormwater in Eastern Washington
July 2nd, 2010
Stormwater runoff into lakes, rivers and streams is a fast growing concern throughout Washington and the country. For the Spokane River, it may be a source of phosphorus loading and contaminants of concern like PCBs.
Futurewise, American Rivers, the Washington Environmental Council, the Lands Council, the Spokane Riverkeeper, the Columbia Riverkeeper, the Gonzaga Environmental Law Clinic and the Spokane Falls chapter of Trout Unlimited wrote a joint letter to Ecology expressing concern with differences in draft regulations for western Washington vs. eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. The letter is attached.
According to the joint letter a key difference between the two sides of the state is that “low impact development (LID) requirements will not be incorporated into the Eastern Washington Phase II Municipal Permit.” Signatories to the letter strongly request that Ecology include LID requirements into regulations for eastern Washington.
The letter notes that “Available data shows that stormwater is a significant source of pollution in Eastern Washington. … The incorporation of LID into the Eastern Washington permit will help address these challenges. LID goals and principles focus on protecting receiving waters through improved stormwater treatment technology and encouraging environmental stewardship through environmentally sensitive development.”