Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aquifer Protection Area topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City of Spokane Valley and city of Spokane move to participate in aquifer-protection area interlocal; West Plains APA discussions continue
Summary
County staff reported that updated interlocal language for the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie aquifer-protection area reduced reporting requirements and that the City of Spokane Valley and City of Spokane both signaled support for participation.
County staff briefed commissioners on updates to the interlocal agreement tied to the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie (SVRP) Aquifer Protection Area (APA) reauthorization. The purpose of the interlocal is to define how funds collected by the APA (if voters approve reauthorization) would be distributed among participating cities and the county.
Interlocal edits and municipal decisions: staff said participating jurisdictions provided minor edits after an earlier briefing; changes reduced reporting from quarterly to biannual reporting and did not alter distribution structure. The City of Spokane Valley asked that the interlocal be signed only after its council made a formal decision; city council later voted to participate, and staff reported the City of Spokane had also voted to be included.
West Plains question and next steps: several commissioners asked whether APA funds collected in one jurisdiction could be used in another. County staff and the APA presenters said funds are intended to be used within the jurisdiction where they are collected and that the existing SVRP interlocal had been applied that way. Because West Plains aquifers pose distinct issues, staff said they are preparing a separate APA proposal for the West Plains aquifer. Staff indicated they will meet with West Plains area municipalities to see whether they wish to participate and said it would be realistic to put a separate West Plains APA measure on a November ballot if the municipalities agree.
Why it matters: APA reauthorization(s) would provide a funding mechanism for aquifer monitoring, education and projects designed to protect groundwater. Inclusion decisions determine which jurisdictions share and receive project funding.
Ending: staff will continue municipal outreach; a public ballot measure for the SVRP APA was planned for August and staff said they could pursue a separate West Plains ballot opportunity in November if local governments concurred.
