Addendum 3 to Quality Assurance Project Plan: Freshwater Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program 2023, Spokane River is available at https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/publications/SummaryPages/2303110.html.

The Department of Ecology’s Freshwater Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program (https://ecology.wa.gov/Research-Data/Monitoring-assessment/toxics-monitoring/Freshwater-fish-contaminant-monitoring) characterizes persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals in freshwater fish throughout Washington state. In 2009, a long-term monitoring component was added to determine if changes in contaminant levels occur over time. The Spokane River was sampled in 2003, 2005, and 2012. The 2023 study will repeat historical work in the Spokane River to determine whether changes in fish tissue contaminant concentrations can be discerned.

The goals of 2023 sampling are to (1) measure concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs, PFAS, PCDD/Fs, and metals in various fish in the Spokane River and (2) compare results to previous studies to determine temporal changes.

These results will (1) inform resource managers about potential risks to human health from eating fish that may be contaminated and data will be placed into EIM and used in future WQ Assessments.

This document is an addendum to the most recent Quality Assurance Project Plan and gives information that is specific to the 2023 sampling in the Spokane River.

If you have questions, contact Shannon Nardi at shannon.nardi@ecy.wa.gov.

Diana Ruth Olegre
Web Content Manager
Washington State Department of Ecology