The Spokane Riverkeeper program was founded in 2009, but the foundation for the program was started a half decade before that. In 2004, the Center for Justice began the Spokane River Project with three main objectives. Those objectives continue to drive the work that Spokane Riverkeeper does today:
•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.
While the model has shifted to the Waterkeeper Alliance model, the issues and goals remain the same.
A dock on the Spokane River.
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. Spokane Riverkeeper 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.
MEETING SPOKANE RIVER NEEDS
Thousands of hours and millions of dollars each year are spent on regulatory actions, studies, and on-the-ground actions to address Spokane River issues. Some of the most prominent include:
- Aquifer use and protection
- Dam relicensing
- Enhancing and protecting fish and wildlife habitat
- Issuing permits to municipal and industrial facilities
- Cleaning up litter and hazardous waste
- Reducing persistent toxic chemicals and heavy metals
- Managing river flows
- Supporting recreational access
- Managing the shoreline
- Improving water quality
- Watershed planning
Here are some of our key objectives and issues with more detail:
Stormwater
Our goal is to reduce polluted stormwater from entering the Spokane River and to educate the public and the business community about low impact development, or cost effective storm drainage and landscape management systems. You can read more about our stromwater strategy on our Stormwater page.
Toxics and Heavy Metals
Toxic pollution is complicated, especially difficult to find and remove, and even though in many cases the substances are no longer manufactured, they continue to persist in the environment and are found everywhere. They pollute the Spokane River because they are in wastewater, stormwater and much more diffuse sources. Riverkeeper works to educate the public on toxic pollution and towards toxics reduction. You can learn more about our work on our Toxics, Metals and the Spokane River page.
Spokane Riverkeeper is a member of the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) and was instrumental in forming said Task Force. The SRRTFF was formed as a result of a requirement in the Washington NPDES wastewater discharge permits issued by the Department of Ecology for facilities discharging in to the Spokane River. The intent of the SRRTTF is to collaboratively work on toxics reduction and education and outreach. You can read more about this endeavor on our Toxics Task Force page.
Redband Trout recovery
We are working to reverse the decline of redband trout, a native species to the Spokane River. A healthy native trout population is not only a barometer of overall ecosystem health, but a great economic driver to the region via recreation and tourism. Currently we are fighting permits for docks on the Spokane River, docks that would harm redband trout populations. You can read more about our Coyote Rock Case HERE.
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.
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. To read much more about CSO’s and to view interactive maps of where they’re located, please visit our special Spokane River CSO page HERE.
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.
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.
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.
Coal
Working with a group of local organizations including The Lands Council and Sierra Club, we are actively opposing the export of coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana to Asia via terminals on the westside. This coal would be transported via train through Spokane, spewing toxic coal dust, putting our safety and health at risk, clogging up our railroads and ports, putting our aquifer and River resources at risk, and stoking the climate crisis all the way. You can read more about this issue HERE.
