Through November, Washington Department of Ecology is overseeing cleanup at the former Holcim cement plant in Spokane Valley across the river from Plantes Ferry Park. Cement was manufactured at the site from 1910 to 1967. Although the plant and associated buildings are gone, a legacy of cement kiln dust laced with arsenic, cadmium, lead and other contaminants that exceed state standards are in the soil.
Click here for WDOE informational flyer.
The adjacent Centennial Trail and river are safe to use. The cleanup will result in native grasses being planted and the lands now owned by Spokane Valley being available for public use. During cleanup, the public should not enter the fenced cleanup area. For questions, contact Erika Bronson at
erika.bronson@ecy.wa.gov.
|
This picture shows a private boat launch being constructed on the Spokane River at South Riverway in Spokane Valley. Located on the south side of the river just upstream of the City of Millwood, it's a great deal for people owning one of the 110 private land parcels that would be allowed to access this ramp. For the environment and other people, the benefits are less clear and the project comes with community concerns. Said Jerry White with Spokane Riverkeeper, "People from Millwood and other parts of that area have called us with safety, environmental, noise and other concerns if motorized traffic increases."
