Spokane County outlines EIS alternatives as residents press PFAS, roads and reuse concerns

Spokane County planning staff presented three draft Environmental Impact Statement alternatives and associated mapping at a public meeting on Oct. 23, emphasizing choices between increasing density inside existing urban growth areas, maintaining current rules, or expanding UGA boundaries while protecting critical areas.

Chesney, a county planning staff member, told the audience the EIS work presents ‘‘bookend’’ growth scenarios and will inform a parallel update to the county—s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). He said the county plans to publish the draft EIS around Dec. 1, followed by a 45-day public comment period and subsequent briefings to the planning commission and the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 respectively.

Why it matters: the alternatives under study would shape where housing is permitted and what environmental protections apply across the West Plains and other unincorporated urban growth areas. Residents pressed staff over groundwater contamination from PFAS, the boundaries and vulnerability of the West Plains basalt aquifer, the county—s capacity to maintain additional road miles, and whether the county prioritizes redevelopment of…