(The Center Square) – As Spokane pushes toward a solution to provide clean water in the West Plains, one county commissioner is leading the charge while others are raising questions about transparency.
The West Plains first learned about the contamination of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” in 2017. PFAS are common in firefighting foams, which the local Air Force base, airport and others were required to train with for decades.
Last week, County Commissioner Al French, who sits on the airport board, issued a press release stating that securing clean water is his priority moving into the legislative session.
“The County has retained an attorney to draft agreements, which will be submitted to the Washington Department of Ecology,” according to French’s release. “This effort for piped water, enough to support up to 80,000 residents in West Plains, is moving forward.”
The Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport connect with hundreds of residential wells in the West Plains. The base owned up to its role at the time, but many have criticized the airport, county and the City of Spokane for its handling of the public health crisis.
On Monday, Commissioner Chris Jordan questioned French’s statement that Spokane County had retained attorneys to draft agreements. Jordan emailed Larry Haskell, the county’s prosecuting attorney, asking if this was true, to which Haskell responded, “no.”
Jordan said he was surprised to read French’s statement, having not been provided with the information beforehand. He questioned whether his peers were informed and expressed concern about French leading the effort without the rest of the Board of County Commissioners.
French told his peers he’s had two meetings with Cascadia Law Group regarding working with the Dept. of Ecology to secure clean water in his district. He said both meetings included Jessica Pilgrim, the county’s assistant chief deputy prosecutor.
“If [the] prosecuting attorney is not aware,” French said, “at least Jessica Pilgrim is aware, because she was in both meetings with me as we discussed opportunities.”
French said that a representative from Cascadia Law Group is in conversations with the Dept. of Ecology over two possible solutions. Jordan appreciated the information but said his concern is the lack of consolidation in messaging to constituents.
“There’s a difference between what an individual commissioner does on behalf of their office versus what’s stated on behalf of the county,” Jordan said.
He wants to centralize communications so that the entire board is on the same page, which Commissioner Amber Waldref also expressed interest in.
Commissioner Mary Kuney, who chairs the county board, said she is more than happy to take check releases ahead of time and tie more people into the conversation. However, she’s letting French take the lead because it’s his district and constituents, she said.
French told The Center Square that the discussion was a “setup” by Jordan to discredit him ahead of the General Election and garner support for his Democratic challenger, Molly Marshall.
He called it another “desperate effort by a losing campaign” after beating her by 736 votes in the Primary Election last month.
“I continue to have the only plan to bring a new source of clean water to the West Plains, and it is shaping up,” French wrote in a statement. “My opponent has nothing, so instead of build and support my plan, Jordan and Waldref choose to pursue politics over solutions.”
