LWVSA membership has been involved with Spokane Aquifer issues for many years. The Annual Meeting (May 2020) approved a Water Standing Program Committee. In November 2020 the LWVSA broadened the scope of the committee to include Environmental Issues as reflected by the interests of League members and supported by League positions. The committee began meeting in December 2020 to formulate a direction.
In 2021, the Spokane Sustainability Action Plan was reviewed and presented by the Environmental Issues committee and supported by LWVSA. The Sustainability Action Subcommittee website follows progress of the Spokane Sustainability Action Plan.
April 2022 our committee conducted a program on Regenerative Agriculture, which included information on composting, as well as a demonstration on the sustainability challenge at Sustainable Spokane.
Shoreline Study Document & Discussion- League of Woman Voters Washington
In November 2022, the Spokane LWV Environmental Issues committee drove the discussion and consensus process for the League of Women Voters of Washington Shoreline Study.
There are shorelines all around the state of Washington. Both saltwater and freshwater shorelines are governed by the Shorelines Management Act (SMA). The SMA applies to all areas of the state. The SMA was one of the first environmental laws passed in the state and came about from a citizens’ initiative.
The LWVWA study on the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) provided members information regarding the SMA. All Leagues in the state had the opportunity to review the study and submit a consensus form to the LWVWA board to help formulate an updated position statement. This is the true grassroots part of the League process!
In the course of this work the Environmental Issues committee learned that the Shorline Management Act requires all counties in the state to have a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). Committee members found no updated plan on the Spokane County's website and have written to the County Planning Director and Board of County Commissioners requesting Spokane county SMP be posted.
After the Spokane LWV meeting & discussion, the Enviro Team compiled the answers from participating LWVSA members. The compilation was presented to our Spokane LWV Board for approval and subsequent submittal to LWVWA. The consensus process has been completed and LWVWA study committee compiled responses from all state Leagues. New position statements have been written to be approved by the LWVWA Board. Once approved by the Board, LWVWA and local Leagues may use the position statements for advocacy work.
