Public review period extended on plan to clean up Spokane River

SPOKANE — Upon receiving several requests, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) is extending the public comment period for the draft Spokane River / Lake Spokane Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Improvement Plan by an additional 15 days. The public comment period will run through Oct. 30, 2009.  Ecology also will host a public hearing on the plan at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Spokane Community College Lair Student Center, Sasquatch Room.   The plan, often referred to as the total maximum daily load (TMDL) report, will guide work toward a healthier Spokane River in compliance with water quality standards for dissolved oxygen. In response to earlier comments received and changes in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements, Ecology has made substantial changes to the draft water quality improvement plan to restore dissolved oxygen in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, warranting the current public review period. The water quality improvement plan outlines how the community will reduce phosphorus and other substances in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane to prevent algae blooms, excessive growth of aquatic plants and the related declines in Lake Spokane’s dissolved oxygen. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient causing excess algae and plant growth in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane. It behaves like fertilizer, causing algae and other aquatic plants to grow and thrive. When the plants decompose, they use up dissolved oxygen that fish need to breathe. In addition, unsightly algae blooms can become toxic. They can make Lake Spokane unhealthy for swimming, and compromise its ecological balance.