Upcoming public workshop will help update Spokane River spill response

SPOKANE — The public is invited to help the state Department of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency update and improve site-specific oil-spill response strategies used for the Spokane River. These are called geographic response plans. Both groups will hold a workshop on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main Ave. The workshop will give citizens, resource managers, spill response contractors and oil-industry representatives the opportunity to help the state and federal response agencies identify any new information that might make the geographic response plan strategies for the Spokane River more effective. Geographic response plans are tailored to reduce the effects of oil spills to sensitive natural, cultural and economic resources on the river. The goals of the workshop are to: * Provide information about the use and expectations of geographic response plans during spill incidents. * Solicit local information to update existing geographic response plans including site-access points such as boat ramps and marinas, as well as sensitive natural resources, cultural resources and significant economic resources. * Ensure that those attending understand the plan-updating process and are provided the opportunity to participate. For more information about geographic response plans and the upcoming Spokane workshop, contact Todd Hass, 360-407-6396 (thas461@ecy.wa.gov) or visit Ecology’s Web site at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/preparedness/GRP/GRPWorkshop.htm”