Oregon Public Broadcasting

Snow plows are running around the clock in Spokane.   Explosives are being used to bring down huge slabs of snow on Snoqualmie Pass in the Washington Cascades.

The work is taking a toll on budgets.  Correspondent Cathy Duchamp reports.

Spokane budgets about $2 million a year to get rid of snow.  Not enough for this season, says city spokesperson Marlene Feist.

Marlene Feist: "In the month of January we’ve had 40 inches of snow, making this the 4th snowiest January on record."

The city just ordered another 4000 tons of de-icer -- price tag $600,000.  It’s bringing in contract snow plows and graters at a rate of $130 an hour.

Getting the stuff to Spokane has been a journey in itself.

Marlene Feist: "I think our farthest piece of equipment is coming from Oregon."
 
Washington ski areas have loaned crews to the state to help control avalanches in the mountain passes.

Governor Chris Gregoire’s recent emergency declaration will free up millions of extra dollars for snow removal.