League of Women Voters discussion to explore Spokane's water concerns

What challenges do Spokane's water resources face? Are people taking water for granted? On the flip side, what possibilities might be on the horizon?

The Spokane area League of Women Voters will host a panel discussion about the region's water resources from 1-4 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 11.

The event, held at the Spokane County Water Resource Center, 1004 N. Freya St., is free and open to the public. However, you must reserve a seat ahead of time by emailing [email protected].

The League of Women Voters reports that, "Environmental issues have ranked in the top tier of advocacy for the local League of Women Voters for 60 years. In 1963 a Spokane League member wrote to Congress about the alarming impact of urban development and pollution on the Spokane River. Twenty years later, representatives from the League of Women Voters helped break ground for the Spokane Valley sewer project, using shovels lettered 'Aquifer Protection & Progress.'"

Now, this forum will focus on immediate and long-term water concerns.

The panelists, who will be available to answer written questions from the audience at the end of their discussion, are scheduled to include:

• Rob Lindsay (moderator) and Toni Taylor, Spokane County Environmental Services
• Walt Edelman, Spokane Conservation District
• Casey Flanagan, The Spokane Tribe of Indians/Department of Natural Resources
• Harvey Morrison, Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited
• Jaime Short, Washington State Department of Ecology
• Jerry White Jr., Spokane Riverkeeper