Citizens demand urgent action on PFAS pollution task force

During a recent government meeting, community members voiced their concerns regarding meeting schedules and public health issues, particularly the need for a task force to address PFAS contamination.

One speaker urged officials to move meetings from workday afternoons to evenings to increase public participation. They expressed a desire for this matter to be included in upcoming planning or consent agendas.

Laura Ackerman, a resident of Windsor Road, addressed the board about the importance of public speaking rules, advocating for the allowance of time-sharing among speakers. She emphasized the value of hearing from multiple citizens during public hearings, noting that many individuals find public speaking daunting. Ackerman also highlighted the urgent need for a PFAS task force, stressing that local governments have delayed necessary actions since 2017, when it was first identified that the Spokane International Airport was polluting groundwater with PFAS. She called for a collaborative effort involving government, scientists, and citizens to tackle this public health crisis, suggesting that task force members should be appointed through a transparent process that includes citizen input.

Ackerman concluded her remarks by reiterating the request for evening meetings, while also proposing special daytime public comment periods during winter months to accommodate those who may have difficulty attending evening sessions.

The meeting underscored the community's desire for greater engagement in local governance and a proactive approach to environmental health issues.