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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Stinky situation on Salmon River temporarily averted

SCAT MACHINE--In a small building by the Kalispell Bay boat launch on Priest Lake, Debbie Wilkins (center, in sunglasses) of the U.S. Forest Service teaches camp hosts from Kalispell and Bartoo Islands how to use the "Scat (brand name) machine". The device takes 5-gallon buckets used to pack-out human waste from the islands and empties them, then disinfects them. Three years ago, the Forest Service instituted a pack-in, pack-out policy for human waste on the island campgrounds, and campers are asked to bring a 5-gallon bucket for that purpose when camping there. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Eli Francovich elif@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

A stinky situation has been avoided on the Salmon River, at least temporarily.

Last year, Gem Stop service station officials notified the Salmon River Ranger District that they were going to shut down the SCAT machine, used to dispose of human waste for boaters coming off the Main Salmon River of No Return wilderness section at Riggins.

For most boaters who use the typical primitive rocket box toilet systems or a 5-gallon bucket toilet system, that meant there was no viable way to dispose of waste after a long river trip.

According to a Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest news release, the King’s Thrones & Pumping Services will be providing portable toilet pumping services at Riggins. The service started July 2 and will continue through September.

The service will be available for float and jet boats exiting the Main Salmon and adjacent river. RV pumping services will not be available. The pumping service won’t completely sanitize portable toilets, according to the release. Instead, boaters are asked to add a small amount of water to their toilets prior to heading to the pump truck.

“This is a temporary solution to the end of the SCAT machine agreement, and we will continue our efforts to provide long-term services near Riggins in the future,” said Jeremy Harris, recreation supervisor for the Salmon River Ranger District in a news release.