Ecology officials offer plan to improve river

Officials at the Washington Department of Ecology have developed a plan to reduce temperatures and improve water quality in the Pend Oreille River. The proposed plan will be discussed at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Pend Oreille Public Utility District, 130 N. Washington St., Newport. Public comments will be accepted through Nov. 1. Warmer water temperatures hurt salmon and trout populations, officials said. In 17 locations along the Pend Oreille River, temperatures exceeded state standards. Studies indicate that the Box Canyon and Boundary dams are the primary causes of elevated water temperatures. Water stored in large reservoirs takes longer to cool down after it’s heated during the summer.