For the first time, data submitted by Spokane Riverkeeper played a crucial role in Ecology’s assessment, setting a powerful example of how community efforts can drive meaningful environmental action. 

Yesterday, October 29, the U.S. EPA issued a Final PCB TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the Spokane River and Little Spokane River. This TMDL is a result of years of advocacy, scientific research, and legal action aimed at reducing harmful PCB pollution affecting our river and community health.  However, we are disappointed in the final plan, and do not believe it will sufficiently reduce PCB levels in the river.

Dirty water is gross! And it’s also pollution. The sediment laden water from Hangman Creek pollutes the Spokane River, contributing to issues downstream such as the low dissolved oxygen in Lake Spokane. Levels of pollution that we see in Hangman Creek and the Spokane River can also cause issues with salmonid growth and reproduction. This is important because we still have wild, native redband trout in our river and an effort by the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Tribes to return salmon to our watershed. Check out the photo gallery below! If you’d like to participate starting this December, make sure to sign up for our Community Science email list, or our general email list!