The absence of PFAS from this plan illustrates its weakness as “comprehensive”.
Ecology’s Airport Investigation about groundwater contamination on the West Plains confirms the urgency and severity. That danger to drinking water is a huge topic that cannot be ignored--the City and County are now jointly liable because of their ownership and history.
The EIS Topics “Earth, water quality, and water resources” and “Relationship to plans, policies, and regulations” and “Utlilities” must immediately be updated to admit and address this rapidly-advancing and very expensive reality. No urban boundaries correlate with groundwater flows and aquifer boundaries. I also note that the word “health” does not appear in this report. This plan does not "describe the potential environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and ways to avoid or minimize negative impacts of policies.”
Spokane is the hottest of PFAS hotspots in Washington, drawing significant attention now from State regulatory agencies and the EPA. That attention will increase as the Airport investigation unfolds. As a citizen, I expect your cooperation with their imperatives, and your anticipation of those rapidly-advancing interactions.
This Plan should hold in place until this issue gets comprehensive and forward-looking analysis. Yes, PFAS knowledge of this “emerging contaminant” is new, therefore the science is not settled. But your plan is designed to be forward-looking, and if approved as drafted will further retard the proper response to groundwater and surface water contamination from “forever chemicals”.
I’m at your service for such discussions of PFAS. John Hancock President, West Plains Water Coalition
John Hancock - West Plains Water Coalition
Mar 5, 2026
Community Advocate
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The absence of PFAS from this plan illustrates its weakness as “comprehensive”.
Ecology’s Airport Investigation about groundwater contamination on the West Plains confirms the urgency and severity. That danger to drinking water is a huge topic that cannot be ignored--the City and County are now jointly liable because of their ownership and history.
The EIS Topics “Earth, water quality, and water resources” and “Relationship to plans, policies, and regulations” and “Utlilities” must immediately be updated to admit and address this rapidly-advancing and very expensive reality. No urban boundaries correlate with groundwater flows and aquifer boundaries. I also note that the word “health” does not appear in this report. This plan does not "describe the potential environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and ways to avoid or minimize negative impacts of policies.”
Spokane is the hottest of PFAS hotspots in Washington, drawing significant attention now from State regulatory agencies and the EPA. That attention will increase as the Airport investigation unfolds. As a citizen, I expect your cooperation with their imperatives, and your anticipation of those rapidly-advancing interactions.
This Plan should hold in place until this issue gets comprehensive and forward-looking analysis. Yes, PFAS knowledge of this “emerging contaminant” is new, therefore the science is not settled. But your plan is designed to be forward-looking, and if approved as drafted will further retard the proper response to groundwater and surface water contamination from “forever chemicals”.
I’m at your service for such discussions of PFAS. John Hancock President, West Plains Water Coalition