Spokane River Project
Since the Center for Justice initiated its Spokane River Project in 2004, we’ve focused our efforts on three objectives:
•To reduce the effect of human activity on the river and expedite the restoration of water quality and water quantity.
• To be a force for institutional change among local and state decision makers and industrial river users to improve stream flows and water quality.
• To educate and inspire citizens about the importance of river issues and the need for river protection.
Current Issues
Inadequate flow from Avista’s Post Falls Dam, overuse of the Spokane/Rathdrum Prairie aquifer, problems with dissolved oxygen, and contamination from PCBs and heavy metals — plus a legacy of mining, dam building, logging, and unchecked development — have left their mark on the Spokane River watershed. Collectively, these problems create public health concerns and contribute to the degradation of aquatic habitat and fishing resources. The Center envisions a community where those who live here and use the river and aquifer work together to zealously protect this signature resource that is so vital to the economic, aesthetic, and environmental health of our region.
Dissolved Oxygen Controversy
With Sierra Club and other clients and partners, the Center has worked for several years to reach an agreement with regulators and river dischargers on a feasible and legally defensible compliance plan to greatly reduce the discharge of phosphorus and other nutrients to the Spokane River. The nutrients fuel algae growth that, in turn, causes eutrophication and low dissolved oxygen levels that are harmful to native fish and other aquatic life.
Combined Sewer Overflows
In recent years, the City of Spokane’s combined sewer overflows have discharged thousands of gallons of raw, untreated sewage into the Spokane River. We’ve been working with Sierra Club and the city to enforce the Clean Water Act, protect the river and safeguard public health. Click here to read about the July 2008 settlement agreement with the city.
Wastewater Discharger Permits
Our efforts center on ensuring wastewater discharger permits for facilities in Washington and Idaho meet all applicable water quality standards, protect human health, and preserve the environment. We also educate the public about getting involved in the permitting process.
Water Rights
Again, education makes a difference. We inform water purveyors about water conservation measures they can share with their customers. And we work to stop the issuance of water rights permits that fail to adequately incorporate water conservation or address their effects on the Spokane River and the aquifer.
Water Quality Restoration Plans (TMDLs)
We’re watch-dogging the TMDL (total maximum daily load) formulations for the Spokane River and its tributaries, to ensure they meet all applicable federal, state, and tribal water quality requirements. TMDLs are required by the federal Clean Water Act for waterways afflicted by chronic pollution. The Act requires that once waterways are listed as out of compliance, plans be developed with enforceable objectives and timelines to address each specific pollutant (or pollution effect, such as low dissolved oxygen) so that the water quality standard is achieved. Currently, the Spokane River is out of compliance for dissolved oxygen, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dissolved metals. You can access the latest updates on these TMDLs and those for Hangman Creek and the Little Spokane River here.
News and Workshops
The Center regularly reports on Spokane River news at this website and an archive of river stories is available in the right hand news column on the Spokane Riverkeeper page. In addition, the Center convenes and/or participates in public workshops intended to help the public understand the current problems affecting the river and what citizens can do to help. If you’re interested, please check the Public Workshops section of the Spokane Riverkeeper page.
