No Docks at the Rocks

In a victory for those trying to protect Spokane River shoreline, a developer proposal to install up to thirty docks downstream of Plantes Ferry Park by Centennial Bridge in Spokane Valley has been defeated. The docks were proposed as part of an upscale housing development called Coyote Rocks.

The case dates back to 2010 when Spokane Valley granted a shoreline exemption and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a permit for the first dock. For a variety of reasons, challenges ensued from both the Washington Department of Ecology and a coalition of conservation groups that included Spokane Riverkeeper, Lands Council and Trout Unlimited.

The challenge that won the day was brought by the Washington Attorney General’s office on behalf of Ecology. A decision by the state court of appeals  that the state supreme court chose not to review found that that installation of the docks would be illegal because only homeowners can apply for a shoreline exemption to install docks. In this case, the developer had already installed two docks for spec homes. The developer must now remove the two docks and no longer install additional docks.

Another challenge brought by Spokane Riverkeeper was that WDFW needed to, but did not, assess the cumulative effects of installing 30 docks on native redband trout and their habitat. Although this challenge no longer needs to continue, the issue is something conservationists are now addressing statewide . Said Spokane Riverkeeper Bart Mihailovich, “Assessing cumulative effects is the difference between evaluating the parts or the whole. Looking at one dock misses the effects of thirty docks. There are other versions of this happening across the state. Assessing cumulative effects is essential if we’re serious about protecting shorelines, habitat and fish.”