Author Description
Stanley A. Miller’s water resources career began in 1975 as a graduate student in Environmental Science at Washington State University. After completing the degree in 1977 he began work with a team of Spokane County staff to develop a plan to protect the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. That work led to the first “Aquifer Protection Plan” developed for a designated “sole source” aquifer in the US. After the plan was completed the team dissolved but Mr. Miller became the lead in the County’s new Water Resources program with the primary goal of implementing the plan. While working to implement the groundwater protection plan, the major activities were writing grant applications for projects leading to and developing ordinances for groundwater protection and hazardous waste site clean up management. During his 20+ year career at the County Mr. Miller served on several committees and task forces organized by the Washington State Department of Ecology and US EPA to develop policy and regulations for water quality protection. His areas of special expertise lay in stormwater management, ground disposal of water and waste, and public involvement. In the late 1990’s, Spokane County’s Water Resources Program became the lead for several watershed planning projects conducted under Ecology’s Watershed Planning Program. The plan for the combined Little Spokane/Middle Spokane Rivers (WRIA 55 & 57) was among the first half dozen plans completed in the State. Since his retirement from Spokane County in April of 2004, Mr. Miller has continued his involvement with Spokane and regional water resources issues through volunteer efforts with local nonprofit organizations and independent consulting.