We are firm in our opinion that it is time for the Washington Department of Ecology and the EPA to sunset the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF) and develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) based clean up plan. A TMDL is the conventional cleanup plan that is developed around a maximum ceiling or "loading limit" for pollutants in a water body... this is like a diet for toxics in a River. The Clean Water Act envisions that a TMDL Plan limits pollution by saying pollution-dischargers are only allowed to dump certain, defined amounts of pollutants, or toxics into water. These limits are highly enforced (and the public has a say) inside of discharge, "pollution permits" or "licenses to pollute". Recently the Spokane Riverkeeper wrote a letter to Governor Inslee asking that he scrap the SRRTTF and convene a TMDL with Monsanto Case Settlement dollars. We think its a great plan. Read our letter below.
Click here to read our letter to Governor Jay Inslee requesting a TMDL (Cleanup Plan) for PCBs