In case you missed the news, the residents along Spanaway Lake passed the Lake Management District Reauthorization.
The Reauthorization vote for Spanaway Lake Management District passed with a 74% vote in favor or reauthorization. The District will continue operations through 2031. In 2021, the district was established and authorized for a five-year term. The reauthorization process included a vote of District Property owners. Ballots were mailed on June 3rd, 2026, and results were shared by County Elections July 15, 2026.
Next Steps: The Pierce County Council will need to pass legislation over the coming months:
An ordinance reauthorizing the district, setting rates & fess is in Rules and Operations on August 17, 2026
O2026-553
An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Reauthorizing Spanaway Lake Management District No. 1; Publishing the Proposed Roll of Rates and Charges; Setting Forth Certain Administrative and Noticing Requirements; and Establishing a Hearing Committee and Appeal Process.
The Spanaway Lake Management District election was a landowner ballot for the reauthorization of the district. Property owners within the district boundaries received a ballot in the mail asking for a “yes” or “no” vote on the reauthorization. The ballots had to be signed, dated, and postmarked by July 3, 2026.
This process was part of the district’s reauthorization, which is prescribed by RCW 36.61 and includes multiple pieces of legislation and public hearings.
The Surface Water Management (SWM) Division of Pierce County Planning and Public Works manage the district. The goal is to work with lake users to improve water quality, manage nuisance and invasive species, restore habitat, educate the public about lake water quality and management activities, and monitor the 250-acre lake.
2026 treatment for invasive aquatic plants and phosphorus mitigation are complete. Want to learn more about the treatment process? View the Lake Treatment FAQ. We will continue to monitor water quality conditions in teh lake throughout the summer season and into the fall.
- May 19: 34.2 acres of Curly Leaf Pondweed treated
- June 9: 28,000lbs of EutroSorb G applied with 560lbs Phosphorus removed
- June 29: All Fragrant Water Lily (FWL) was treated in the main lake area. About an acre of FWL remains in Spanaway Lake, primarily in the shallow, northern area where access is difficult due to shallow water.
The next meeting of the Board is October 13, 2026.
For more details, you can refer to the [Spanaway Lake Management District | Pierce County, WA – Official Website](https://www.piercecountywa.gov/7439/Spanaway-Lake-Management-District
