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Newsletter
 NOVEMBER 2007
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 9711 W Charles Road
Hispanic Heritage Event a big success
Advisory Committee calls for Spokane River Protection
Riverside State Park shares recycling successes

 

Hispanic Heritage Event a big success
By Ranger Doug King

On September 29th Riverside State Park hosted the Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2007.  Held at the Equestrian Area, the event drew over 1200 people.  Attendees enjoyed music, mariachis, folk dances, and food.  Made possible by a grant, Washington State Parks Arts in the Parks, The Spokesman Review, volunteers from Whitworth College, and many other contributors the event brought out the mayor of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, the Spokane County Sheriff, business leaders, and members of Spokane City Council.  Performances highlighted Hispanic arts from several countries and throughout all eras of Hispanic culture.  Hispanic vendors and artisans were given the opportunity to show and peddle their wares. 

Despite a down pour of rain and a hard freeze the night before the weather came through and provided a sunny fall day.  The event was kicked off by a parade of the flags of Hispanic countries represented in Eastern Washington.  Mayor Dennis Hession spoke on the importance of diversity in the city.   Music included everything from the traditional to modern pop Latino artists.  The event started at 11am and ran until 7pm.  By noon there was already talk about making it an annual event.
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Riverside State Park shares recycling successes


Riverside State Park reports that large strides have been made in the development of the park’s recycling program.

The park reports the following accomplishments:

  • With attendance up 18% from last year, the volume of garbage in the Bowl and Pitcher was still reduced. The park was able to downsize by one dumpster, which will save the park more than $260 a month;
  • Six new recycle bins were added in the Bowl and Pitcher. In the first week, the new bins collected 28 cubic feet (more than one yard) of recyclable plastic that would have found its way to the dumpster;

  • Plastic and aluminum recycle bins are located next to each garbage can, and glass is collected at three locations in the campground;

  • A six-yard bin was donated to the park for the collection of aluminum, also the recycle facility will pick up the bin when it is full at no charge;

  • Park staff made numerous calls throughout Spokane to find the best prices for various types of recycling.


“I have found what made the difference this year was the donation of the six-yard bin to collect cans,” said Rob Kennedy, Riverside State Park ranger. “Now that we have a place to put the cans, my staff and I have become more driven to collect the cans and promote recycling.” In the past, recyclables have piled up in the corner of the park’s maintenance compound. Often the bags ended up in the dumpster out of convenience. Park staff now plans to have six to eight large storage bins donated and delivered to the park, so the same system can be created for recycling glass, plastic and paper.

 
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Advisory Committee calls for Spokane River Protection
by Clare Sosso

The State Department of Ecology has been recently conducting open house sessions and public hearings on the proposals for the current Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, and Waste Water Discharge Permits for the Spokane River. Wastewater discharge permits are being reviewed for:


Inland Empire Paper Company, WA-000082-5
Kaiser Aluminum Fabricated Products, LLC,  WA-000089-2
City of Spokane, WA-002447-3
Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District, WA-004514-4

These permits can be reviewed online at the Department of Ecology web site: www.ecy.wa.gov

As it currently stands, pollutants being discharged into the Spokane River are causing large algae blooms and impacting aquatic life in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane.

A plan with higher standards was drawn up in 2004. Our advisory committee submitted a comment during that time. Industrial and wastewater dischargers in the area said they could not meet the standards that were required to bring the river into compliance with the Federal Clean Water act in a timely manner. As a consequence, arbitration ensued, and a new, lower set of standards were drawn up for the TMDL (The Maximum Daily Load) of pollutants allowed to be discharged into the river. The new plan was presented to the public for review in September and October 2007. The new plan has a duration of 20 years for implementation, with a review period in 10 years. The polluters are responsible for monitoring their own levels of pollution, with a third party committee to be developed to monitor the monitors, so to speak. The plan can be reviewed at the following web site:

www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0710073.html

Local environmental groups in the area are against the new TMDL proposal. They argue that the new plan is ineffective and it will take much longer to achieve the desired goals. They believe that the standards are far below those set in the 2004 plan. Pertinent information regarding water quality issues from these groups can be viewed at:

www.waterplanet.ws/DO/DO/overview.html
www.cforjustice.org/river.html
www.cforjustice.org/guide.html

The Riverside State Park Advisory Committee submitted a public comment at the hearings on behalf of the public who enjoy Riverside State Park. It is as follows:

“We are a committee of citizens representing different interest groups in our area that enjoy the use of Riverside State Park. We advise the park management on behalf of these groups, and also provide volunteer services for improvement projects throughout the park.

Riverside State Park is a primary recreational and environmental resource for the Spokane area. The park makes the Spokane area a unique place in which to live. The Spokane River, The Little Spokane River, and Lake Spokane are vital resources and core attractions of one of Washington’s largest State parks. These precious water resources provide life-giving habitat to the local wildlife and recreational opportunities for our local citizens.

We at the Riverside State Park Advisory Committee want to reiterate and reaffirm our statement from 2004. We want to express our expectations to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Ecology for providing the maximum level of protection to these irreplaceable water resources, against industrial and other man-made polluters. We will stand behind every effort to a timely and optimal restoration and preservation of these precious, life-giving resources of Riverside State Park and its surrounding natural areas.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on behalf of the entire advisory membership committee…”

Anyone wishing to comment on the current version of the Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Spokane River and Lake Spokane and Proposed Wastewater Discharge Permits for the Spokane River should address their comments to:

Water Quality Improvement Plan
Send comments to:

Dave Knight 
Department of Ecology      
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
e-mail: dkni461@ecy.wa.gov

Discharge Permit
Send comments to:
Permit Coordinator
Department of Ecology
4601 N. Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
e-mail: stra461@ecy.wa.gov

 
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