Post Falls approves suit against EPA

The Post Falls City Council passed a resolution tonight approving a lawsuit against the federal government over a phosphorus-reduction plan for the Spokane River. City Manager Eric Keck said Post falls is willing to do its part to reduce the amount of algae-spurring contaminates in treated sewage discharged into the river. But city officials contend that phosphorus limits in the plan crafted by the Washington Department of Ecology would strangle growth in North Idaho, unfairly penalizing Idaho dischargers while giving more generous limits to Washington municipalities. In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency endorsed the interstate plan for improving the river’s water quality despite strong objections from Idaho dischargers. Keck said that the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board will join Post Falls in the lawsuit, which could be filed as early as this week in federal court in Boise. The city of Coeur d’Alene also has concerns about the new permit limits, but hasn’t decided whether to pursue litigation, said Sid Frederickson, Coeur d’Alene’s wastewater superintendent.