Jerry White, Jr. to Transition Out of Role of Executive Director for Spokane Riverkeeper.

Jerry White, Jr. to Transition Out of Role of Executive Director for Spokane Riverkeeper.

Spokane Riverkeeper, Jerry White, Jr. is announcing that he plans to step aside as Executive Director of the organization.  By 2024, the Spokane Riverkeeper plans to have a new Executive Director in place.  The organization will seek a new Riverkeeper this summer.

This announcement reflects a natural evolution and flow in the development of the organization and its role in protecting the Spokane River since 2009.  The watershed’s rivers are the soul of those communities through which they run.  From Coeur d’Alene Lake to Wellpinit and Two Rivers, the Spokane River flows through us all.   Given the importance of this connection, and the role of coordinating with the Spokane and Coeur d’alene Tribe's, local governments, agencies, and community partners, the task of leading the Spokane Riverkeeper is an expansive  job.   The organization is growing in 2023 and very robust in its work to collaborate, educate, advocate, and litigate on behalf of the River.  

“When I arrived in this position in 2014, I recognized this was the highest purpose for my personal and professional life.  Being the Riverkeeper really isn't a job in the conventional sense… it is a journey of the heart that follows the flow of the River”,  says Jerry White, Jr. “ I feel that this is a natural time in the life of the organization to invite new energy and vision into the community. I will grow into a slightly different kind of River supporter, perhaps one who tries to hold the lantern for others”. 

With the team at the Spokane Riverkeeper, White has brought a strong passion for working on River issues and in particular, is proud of the partnerships with Columbia Plateau Tribal allies.    The Upper Columbia Tribes were and are the first waterkeepers and continue to lead with visions of salmon recovery.

Dr. Brent Nichols, Director of Fisheries & Water Resources for the Spokane Tribe of Indians said, “Partnering with Spokane Riverkeeper for salmon recovery has been, and will be, instrumental in recovering runs of chinook salmon to the Basin.  We are committed to a strong partnership with Spokane Riverkeeper as we move forward with our Phase 2 Implementation Plan to  reintroduce salmon to their native waters.”

Anticipating the need to protect the Spokane River and its tributaries is only getting more important as the region continues to grow.  Recovering chinook salmon and steelhead puts a fine point on this need.

“The community recognizes Spokane Riverkeeper as a deep and well established voice for the Spokane River.  We are really the premier River advocate in the basin and the work sometimes extends across the State of Washington.  In fact, there is clearly a need to expand the organization's role with more capacity and partnerships”, said Board Chairman,  Josh Abel. 

This transition to a new executive director is a great opportunity to show support for the Spokane River organization by joining the movement of people who recognize the importance and incredible connection we all have to the Spokane River.  “The days ahead are bright and we want to continue the strong work of defending the River through the Clean Water Act, partnering with Tribal members, organizations, and governments to recognize and steward the first Water Protectors and recover salmon and clean water” stated Board member, Deanna Camp.  We will continue to collaborate, educate and litigate inside those core programs that connect the community to the River.   

In several weeks the search for a new executive director will be undertaken.   The organization will find a person (or the person will find Spokane Riverkeeper) with the passion and vision toguide the future of the Spokane River protection, and care.

As for White, he will stay with the organization until the latter months of 2023 to assure a great start with a new Executive Director.  After that White says, “ I will be out there, swimming with trout, listening carefully to the River, and supporting the community as it meets its responsibility to the Spokane River.”   White is particularly passionate about working towards recognizing rights for the Spokane River and feels the time is now for robust conversation about this new legal and cultural horizon if we are to  meet the challenges that lie ahead.  

“I want to thank the many friends, partners and associates who have cared for the River, and cared for their community for so long.  I am humbled and proud to have worked with you, worked for you, and shared your frustrations, joys and successes - Thank you.” 

Background:

Spokane RIverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the health of the Spokane River watershed and to defend the access and opportunity for all communities to enjoy the benefits of a clean, healthy, living Spokane River.    Our vision is a clean Spokane River that has healthy ecosystems and aquatic communities, is safe from pollution, and is accessible by, and connected to the entire community for health and enjoyment.  The Spokane Riverkeeper values advocacy, education, collaboration, optimism, respect, and stewardship.

Spokane Riverkeeper is a proud member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, and with a tight team of staff and a board of passionate Spokane Riverkeeper supporters.

Over the last nine years, the Spokane Riverkeeper accomplished the following:

• Spokane Riverkeeper goes independent in 2020:  With a dedicated board of directors, then and now, as well as passionate volunteers, the team planned and executed the establishment of an independent organization in 2020.  This was after ten years operating as a program of the Center for Justice.  We look forward to a long life as a stand-alone Waterkeeper Organization for decades to come.

• Washington Water Quality Standards for Toxics and State Standards for Water Pollution: In 2015 the Department of Ecology put out a weak and incredibly unprotected Water Quality Standard for toxics in fish.  With partners across the State of Washington, we sued the EPA and ultimately accomplished our goal of protecting the public and the State’s Waters.

• A permanent River bank presence for litter pick up:  We began a River Litter Pick Up Program that has grown from a few boat loads of river-side litter to a program that topped at 26,000 lbs last year with the support of over 1500 volunteers and numerous business  partners.

• Legal wins that made a difference: LitigatingToxic Water Quality Standard for Washington State, Darigold, CHS  in Rockford polluters were held accountable. We sued polluters that resulted in cleanups and the awards of nearly a quarter million dollars to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to continue restoring Hangman Creek, supporting Tribal personnel’s work and ensuring that salmon have a place to come home to.

• Hangman Creek Protection:   In 2015, we litigated over a flawed and neglected clean up plan that forced the EPA and the Washington State Department of Ecology to negotiate a functional plan that put actions in place to move towards clean water and designated the Hangman Creek Basin as a high priority watershed.

• Water Conservation:  We were instrumental in developing guidance for water conservation with the City of Spokane.  This policy looks to the River flows to trigger conservation measures - specifically reducing irrigation water wasted - and encourages the community to value the water they use as River water that is needed and valued by the Spokane River. 

• Community Science:  Implementing the vision for a Community Science Program in 2018, SRK   engaged the community in the life of their watershed , while providing the data to address the health and cleanup of the Spokane River

• A River Journey, Salmon recovery and Tribal Connections:  And last year, the nine-year journey of being your Riverkeeper, culminated in both getting to release a chinook salmon back into the Spokane River, and an invitation to travel with Spokane Tribal paddlers down the traditional waters of the Spokane People to the Columbia River.  Two high points that really will be with me forever.

• Numerous deep partnerships and connections with Tribal Nations, organizations, and individual tribal members:  We believe that the Tribes of the upper Columbia Basin and the Spokane and Coeur D'alene tribe's in particular, are the first, and most important Water Protectors. Our job has been to align ourselves with visions and actions of indigenous governments, organizations and peoples, to create durable partnerships, and facilitate a values-based outcome of clean water, salmon migrations, and recovered ecosystems.

• Recognition of the Rights of Rivers: We sent a strong message in signing of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers.  While this is not our core mission, the Spokane Riverkeeper did acknowledge that the Spokane River is a living system that deserves protections that are commensurate with this reality.