Public comment sought on draft watershed plan for lower Spokane River

SPOKANE COUNTY News Release

January 30, 2009

Spokane County is seeking public comment on the Draft Watershed Plan for the Lower Spokane River Basin. The plan addresses issues such as declining water supplies on the West Plains, non-point source pollution impacts on ground and surface waters, administration of water rights, and providing water for increasing regional growth. According to Water Resources Specialist Mike Hermanson, the plan uses a comprehensive approach in assessing the water supply for future growth. “The rural areas of Spokane County have developed rapidly in the past decade. For example, during the past eight-years, Spokane County has recorded the highest number of new individual wells installed in the State of Washington,” Hermanson said.

The Lower Spokane River Watershed, or Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 54, extends from the confluence of Latah Creek and Spokane River to the mouth at Lake Roosevelt. The Lower Spokane River Basin includes portions of Spokane, Stevens, and Lincoln Counties and most of the Spokane Indian Reservation. The plan was developed over the course of four-years by a diverse group of stakeholders including, state and local government; agricultural, business, commercial and industrial interests; environmental, recreation and public interest groups; representatives from the Spokane Tribe and private citizens.

Public comments on the plan will be accepted until March 11, 2009. Copies of the plan are available from Spokane County and can be found on the WRIA 54 website at http://www.spokanecounty.org/wqmp/project54/asp/home.asp.

For more information or to submit comments, please contact Mike Hermanson at mhermanson@spokanecounty.org or call (509) 477-7260.