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OUR STREAMS AND RIVERS ARE CLOGGED WITH POLLUTION


Pollution chokes local streams and rivers

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OUR STREAMS AND RIVERS ARE CLOGGED WITH POLLUTION


Pollution chokes local streams and rivers

Hangman Creek, the most polluted in Washington State

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Hangman Creek contains huge amounts of sediment and nutrients, and low dissolved oxygen and high temperatures in the hot summer months. Hangman Creek contributes its massive pollution load to the Spokane River, causing dirty water that affects the river far downstream to Lake Spokane.  

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Problem text


Lack of vegetation along our rivers and streams allow pollution to enter our surface waters unabated

Problem text


Lack of vegetation along our rivers and streams allow pollution to enter our surface waters unabated

Unhealthy shores cause dirty streams

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One of the most profound issues facing our rivers is land-use practices that strip the Spokane River and its tributaries of the shoreline vegetation.  These practices are primarily agriculture, development and grazing.

When shoreline forest is removed by people, runoff from surrounding lands flows directly into the river.  Often this runoff has excessive mud, pesticides, pollution and nutrients that pollutes the water and harms the ecosystems.  Additionally this streamside forest, often called “riparian” forest provides shade that keeps water cool.

The Clean Streams - Healthy Shores campaign brings attention to land use practices that need to change in favor of clean water and highlight’s the laws that need to be followed in order to ensure the public has clean water and fishable streams

Tilling crops to the water’s edge leaves the tributaries exposed to muddy runoff, pesticides and herbicides.

Tilling crops to the water’s edge leaves the tributaries exposed to muddy runoff, pesticides and herbicides.

Cattle and horses in the creeks and on the banks tramples vegetation and pollutes the rivers

Cattle and horses in the creeks and on the banks tramples vegetation and pollutes the rivers

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Impacts text


Pollution, including mud, clogs the gills and covers the nest of sensitive fish and insects.

Impacts text


Pollution, including mud, clogs the gills and covers the nest of sensitive fish and insects.

People and animals need clean water

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Our native Redband Trout is sensitive to pollution, particularly high sediment loads and temperatures.  The pollution in Hangman Creek makes it uninhabitable for Redband Trout.  

 
 
 
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solution


A healthy stream contains vegetation alongs its banks to filter pollution and provide habitat

solution


A healthy stream contains vegetation alongs its banks to filter pollution and provide habitat

clean streams have healthy shores

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Follow the laws.  Washington State law is designed to protect shoreline vegetation – the law should be followed and enforced

All rivers and streams should have a 35 to 100 foot buffer of vegetation to protect in from the sun and polluted runoff.  Land owners should understand that their actions are connected to clean water and the downstream public.

No animals should be pastured or grazed in or near the water.  Animals should be provided watering tanks several feet away from the stream.