The Spokane River is more than water moving through our city. It’s where people float in the summer, cast a line at dusk, pause on the Centennial Trail, or sit quietly to breathe. It’s a place where generations have connected with the river, with each other, and with the land around it. But, what does it mean to create access? And who is that access created for?

Kicking off 2026, Water Protector Katelyn Scott is diving into a busy year of advocacy to protect the Spokane River—from federal rulemaking and local water policy to salmon restoration and industrial pollution oversight. Here’s a look at the work so far to defend clean water and healthy river flows.

As the Washington State Legislature moves through the short session, we’re focused on key environmental priorities that affect our rivers, communities, and the health of our ecosystems. This session we are prioritizing 4 issues: reducing plastics pollution, Climate Commitment Act funding, sustainable waste solutions for Spokane, and protecting our waterways from toxic chemicals.

Here’s a look at what matters most this session, why it matters for the river, and how you can follow the legislation that aligns with these priorities.