On the eve of a key challenge to a plan to site dozens of docks in a prime stretch of river important to native trout, a flotilla of watercraft show up to protest the scheme.
Just past noon on a postcard perfect summer day, the big blue Spokane Riverkeeper boat came around the bend below the Arborcrest winery. Surrounded by small fleet of colorful kayaks and canoes, the Riverkeeper mothership was headed for Coyote Rocks, the controversial development being constructed on the south bank of the Spokane River just west of the Centennial Trail bridge in the Spokane Valley.
What makes Coyote Rocks controversial is the developer’s plan to construct up to 30 docks on one of the most scenic stretches of the river and in an area where native redband trout struggle to exist. Among other things, the docks would provide cover for bass and other non-native, predatory fish to feed on trout.
Sunday’s colorful protest came a day before the state’s Pollution Control Hearings Board was scheduled to convene a three-day trial in the City of Spokane Valley to hear an appeal filed by lawyers representing the Spokane Riverkeeper, the Lands Council, and the Spokane chapter of Trout Unlimited. According to Center for Justice attorney Rick Eichstaedt, who represents the Spokane Riverkeeper, Monday’s hearing will be postponed. Eichstaedt says he has been contacted by the City of Spokane Valley City Attorney who requested settlement discussions with the project developer to try to resolve the controversy. Eichstaedt attributed the appeal for settlement discussions on public opposition to the docks and said that talks with the developer and the City of Spokane Valley would likely occur in early September. The Spokesman-Review’s page 1 story on yesterday’s protest can be linked to here.
Says Spokane Riverkeeper Bart Mihailovich: “I’m beyond thrilled by the diverse support we were able to raise overthis issue – from the various recreation and conservation interests to the community support we drummed up via the Rally on Sunday. That pressure, in combination with the media pressure, played a large part in bringing the sides together to talk about settlement and mitigation.This delivers a strong message that the community is paying attention to
every mile of the Spokane River and its shoreline. We only have one chance to do it right, and in this instance, the community has fought hard for that one chance to be the right chance.” (Photos by Audrey Connor).
The Redband Armada with Coyote Rocks in the distance.
