Don’t waver on clean river

PCBs cause cancer, as noted by The Spokesman, “Pollution limits in Spokane River prompt city officials to seek reprieve from EPA” (Oct 29).

Like radioactive contaminants, there are no safe PCB levels. Lower is safer. For our Spokane community, that is true for people who eat fish from the Spokane River. For our fish-eating indigenous neighbors downstream of Spokane, clean water and PCB-free fish are also essential.

PCBs accumulate in the food chain. PCBs attach to sediments and eventually end up in fish, river dwellers, osprey - and us.

The city of Spokane is relatively new to the Spokane River. Water is the basis for life here - including our city. For Spokane’s mayor to advocate a weakening of protections against PCB-pollution perpetuates a sordid history of river pollution and dewatering that, sadly, is still very much alive within our city government.

We can do better. We are, after all, Spokane: “Near Nature, Near Perfect.”

Our community must hold elected officials accountable for protecting and restoring the Spokane River to health. Mayor Condon: Just say “no” to PCBs and say “yes” to protecting the Spokane River and life that depends on the river.

Carolyn Leon

Spokane