SPOKANE, Wash. – A request is under consideration to build a loading dock along the Spokane River for non-motorized vehicles. The proposal comes from GVD Commercial, the owners of the Ruby River Hotel on North Division.
Analisa Placenti, a Gonzaga senior, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “We have like a outdoors club too. And I wonder if they might really enjoy being able to kayak and use the river for things like that, too,” she said.
The proposed dock would be located just minutes from Riverfront Park. GVD Commercial’s application states the dock would support additional recreational and shoreline use, allowing for non-motorized vehicles, sightseeing and other activities.
“It’s nice being on the water. Just kind of being able to explore more than you can on land,” said Liv Amoth, also a Gonzaga senior.
Hilary Hahn has been analyzing the project’s ecological impacts for months. Her team concluded it would not negatively affect environmentally sensitive species or disrupt current land use.
“The concepts have been, designed to minimize impacts to the, the river. And they have fish friendly features that, are going to be great for the river,” said Hahn, an ecologist.
Despite the positive outlook, the state requires a thorough environmental review. The Washington State Environmental Policy Act mandates government agencies to assess potential environmental interference of proposed projects. In compliance, the City of Spokane issued a determination of non-significance, indicating that an environmental impact statement would not be needed based on the applicant’s responses.
However, Erin Hut from the City of Spokane noted that the final decision rests with Washington State’s Department of Ecology.
“Our staff is putting together a report at this moment, and we will make a recommendation to the hearing examiner. And then from that process forward, it will go to the Department of Ecology,” said Hut.
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