Background

Direct-to-Implementation Approach to Toxics Reductions

Formed in 2012, the Task Force’s current mission is to tackle the most difficult problem in the Spokane River, PCBs. This toxic chemical can be found in nearly every water body around the world.

To accelerate clean-up actions, interest groups and governments in the Spokane River basin are collaborating on a unique and innovative approach to reducing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins in the River: a direct‐to‐implementation strategy that establishes a Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force (SRRTTF or Task Force) to identify and reduce PCBs and dioxins at their source in the watershed.

The Washington Department of Ecology, The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency serve in advisory roles for the SRRTTF and are very supportive of this innovative and cooperative approach as a direct means of improving the quality of our waters.

The SRRTTF has worked hard to identify sources of PCBs that continue to enter the watershed and has developed a comprehensive plan to address these sources. To develop the plan, the Task Force collected water quality data to better understand sources and pathways of PCBs in the Spokane River system.

• We are working together on a new approach that identifies sources of PCBs and dioxins, directly applies a plan for reduction and elimination, and results in improvements to the river.
• The Task Force is the only regional group in Washington and Idaho working to make measurable progress towards reducing PCBs, dioxins, and their sources.
• We expect this innovative approach to be faster and less expensive than the traditional method for improving the River, which involves a lengthy process of studies and negotiations prior to any cleanup activity.

Visit the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force home page to learn more.