The City of Spokane is launching a new program to help residents reduce the amount of water they use for outdoor irrigation. The SpokaneScape rebate program allows for up to a $500 credit on a resident's City utility bill for removing lawn and replacing it with water-smart plants and mulch.

"By far, outdoor irrigation on residential properties is our largest category of water use," says Dan Kegley, the City's Director of Water and Wastewater. "Lawns are thirsty, and different landscaping options are much more water efficient. Through this program, we want to demonstrate that SpokaneScape landscaping is beautiful, easy to maintain, and water smart."

The rebate totals 50 cents per square foot of lawn removed; the program requires a minimum removal of 300 square feet. Trading out lawn for artificial turf does not qualify.  A SpokaneScape program application and guidebook is available at www.waterstewardship.org

Time: Friday, June 8th, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Kellogg, Idaho. Meet at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, 35 Wildcat Way, Kellogg, Idaho.
Registration Required: Contact Lee First at lee@cforjustice.org or (509) 835-5211. No fee.

The Spokane Riverkeeper is hosting a public Tour of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex in Smelterville, Idaho. The tour is open to any Washington State residents.

Riverkeeper sees the tour as an opportunity to learn what's been done, and what water quality improvements are underway to address the effects of legacy mining operations in the Silver Valley.