Pierce County invites community to learn about upcoming study of Spanaway Lake

Spanaway Lake residents, business owners and recreational users can learn about an upcoming study of the lake’s health at a community meeting on Dec. 4.

Spanaway Lake residents, business owners and recreational users can learn about an upcoming study of the lake’s health at a community meeting on Dec. 4.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Spanaway Lake Elementary, 412 165th St. S. in Spanaway.

Pierce County will use information obtained in the study to create the Spanaway Lake Management Plan in 2014. The plan will include results from the study, the process for identifying and implementing solutions to protect the lake and improve its health, and ways the community can get involved with the planning process.

“Spanaway Lake is an important part of this community,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. “It is everyone’s responsibility to protect the lake so future generations can enjoy it.”

Public Works and Utilities’ Surface Water Management division will conduct a study of the lake’s health in 2014. Data will then be analyzed and presented to the community to identify potential solutions and how to implement them. Funding for lake protection or clean-up efforts in the future will likely be based on recommendations in the plan.

Funding for the Spanaway Lake Management Plan was included in the 2013-2015 Washington State budget at the request of State Rep. David Sawyer (29th District). That funding will be provided to Pierce County to develop the plan.

“I look forward to seeing citizens get involved in this process that will have an impact on the community for years to come,” said Executive McCarthy. “I also appreciate Representative Sawyer’s interest in the health of the lake, and his support for funding the study.”

For more information, visit the project website at www.piercecountywa.org/SpanawayLakePlan.