2.1        Introduction

Effective wastewater planning requires knowledge of the physical setting as well as the social environment of the area to be served. To address this need, this chapter provides a summary of the basic characteristics of the planning area.  The information is organized into four sections. 

§         The planning area definition establishes the service area boundary for a 20-year planning horizon and presents considerations for long-term planning. 

§         The physical environment section includes descriptions of the study area geography, geology, climate, air quality and wildlife habitat.

§         The water resources discussion provides an overview of key surface and groundwater features in the planning area.

§         The human environment section summarizes the area's land use, economic activity, historical population trends, and governmental structure.

2.2        Planning Area definition

2.2.1        20-Year Planning Area

The planning area for this facilities plan consists of two land masses: one located in North Spokane and one located in the Spokane Valley (see Drawing 2-1. Planning Area.  The North Spokane section is bounded on the west, north and east by the Draft Urban Growth Area (Draft UGA) boundary for the greater Spokane area.  On the south, the boundary is established by the City/County Sewer Service Boundary.  The North Spokane section has an area of 8,539 acres and includes the following urban planning areas:  Mead, North Metro 1, North Metro 2 and North Metro 3.

The Spokane Valley section is bounded on the north and south by the Draft UGA boundary for the greater Spokane area and on the east by the boundary for Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District No. 1.  The west boundary is generally defined by the City/County Sewer Service Boundary. The Spokane Valley section has an area of 31,103 acres and includes the following urban planning areas: Northwest Valley, Northeast Valley, East Valley and West Valley.  It also includes the Town of Millwood.

The definition of the Draft UGA boundary is driven by the Growth Management Act (GMA), which provides a framework for managing growth and land use development, and coordinating these with infrastructure planning. The UGA defines an area sufficient to provide housing, facilities, and services for projected growth through 2020.  This boundary, shown in Drawing 2-1, was established as part of the County’s on-going long-range planning, and has yet to be approved by the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners.  If approved, it will supersede the Interim Urban Growth Area (IUGA) that was adopted in 1997.

In general, urban development is encouraged within the UGA and discouraged outside the UGA.  Consequently, the GMA requires that the principal planning agencies within each County allocate the majority of planned growth to the area within the UGA.  To support urban land use densities, municipal services are required to be provided within the UGA and should be limited outside the UGA.  The major impact of the GMA on wastewater management is that a facilities plan must demonstrate that adequate wastewater facilities and capacity will be provided to support the planned level of growth

2.2.2        50-Year Planning Area

In addition to the 20-year planning horizon, this facilities plan will project growth and provide a cursory examination of wastewater management requirements for a longer (50-year) planning horizon. Because this is a longer planning horizon than the GMA requires public agencies to consider, a 50-year planning area has not been designated. However, it is assumed that only areas contiguous with the Draft UGA will be served in the future by the County’s wastewater program.

2.2.3        Priority Sewer Service Area

Since the early 1980s, Spokane County has been implementing a sewer construction program to eliminate septic tanks and reduce on-site wastewater disposal above the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.  To guide these efforts, an Aquifer Sensitive Area (ASA) was designated to identify locations where on-site disposal practices could have significant potential to adversely impact water quality in the aquifer. To prioritize the sewer construction program, Spokane County worked with State and local health departments to establish a Priority Sewer Service Area (PSSA).  Both the ASA and PSSA boundaries are shown in Drawing 2-1.

In the 1996 CWMP, Spokane County identified a phased sewer construction program within the PSSA, to be implemented in five-year blocks, reaching completion in 2015.  Drawing 2-2.  North Sewer Priority Areas, and Drawing 2-3.  Valley Sewer Priority Areas show the phased capital improvement programs for the North Spokane and Valley planning areas, respectively.

In developing planning projections for wastewater facilities, it has been assumed that sewers will be extended to serve the entire Spokane County planning area by 2020.  With the adoption of an UGA Boundary, the PSSA Boundary will no longer exist.

Chapter 3 presents assumptions regarding extension of service to areas outside the Draft UGA boundary between 2020 and 2050.

2.3        Physical Environment

Physical characteristics of the planning area affect wastewater generation rates by shaping the nature and pattern of land use, as well as the location and density of population.  The physical environment also affects the location and design of facilities for conveyance, treatment and disposal or reuse of wastewater.  Local geology, soils, and seismicity affect cost of laying pipe and siting of treatment systems.  Similarly, climate affects choice of wastewater treatment processes, determines seasonal operating conditions, and dictates the amount of stormwater runoff generated.

2.3.1        Geography and Topography

Spokane County is located in northeastern Washington adjacent to the Idaho border. The County has an array of landscapes ranging from the mountainous area in the northeast, including Mount Spokane, to the semiarid basalt plains in the southwest.  Between these extremes are the rolling wheat lands of the Palouse area, the channeled scablands created by the glacial floods, and the Spokane metropolitan area [i].  The total County area is approximately 1,760 square miles.

The County’s wastewater planning area is located directly over the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, along the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. The principal drainage features within the County are the Spokane River, Little Spokane River, and Latah Creek.  Drawing 2-4.  Surface and Ground Water Sources shows the major waterways within Spokane County.

The planning area is nearly all urban landscape with flat to moderately rolling topography.  Elevations within the planning area range from 1,700 feet above mean sea level along the Spokane River to 2,300 feet above sea level along the outer edges of the valley.

2.3.2        Geology and Soils

Geology

The structural features of the Spokane Valley are the result of a complex sequence of intense folding and faulting.  Geologic structures within the planning area fall into two units based on their permeability.  The consolidated Precambrian and Tertiary rocks, composing one unit, are relatively impermeable and allow delineation of the bottom and the sides of the valley.  Unconsolidated Quaternary deposits compose the second unit and define the extent and thickness of the valley fill.  This unit consists mainly of poorly sorted, reworked, glaciofluvial deposits of sand and gravel.

Soils

The planning area follows the Spokane River, resulting in level to gently sloping topography and consistent soil types.  The soils of this area consist of the Garrison Marble-Springdale soil association, which is excessively drained sandy and gravelly soils formed in glacial outwash.  The soils within the planning area are very porous in nature with a rapid water-intake rate and low water-holding capacity.  These soils also have moderate resistance to erosion, high shear strength, and high load-carrying capacity.  The high level of permeability is a concern for aquifer health, which is located directly under the planning area [ii].

Soils characteristics in other parts of the County outside of the planning area may be relevant to some wastewater management alternatives. These characteristics are described below.

§         The southwestern part of the County consists of a broad basalt plateau.  Only small remnants of pre-glacial soils, characterized by deep to shallow, gravelly or rocky soils with moderate permeability and low water-holding capacity, remain from the glacial floods.

§         The southeastern part of the County is described by rolling to hilly topography with deep soils that formed from wind deposits of silty material.  The soils are characterized as medium to fine-textured soils with moderate to slow permeability and high to moderate water-holding capacity.  Basalt is the most prominent geologic formation with quartzite, shale, and sandstone also found in the region. The area consists of rolling loessal uplands, glacial till plains, and mountain foot slopes.

§         The Okanogan Highlands makes up the northern part of the County and consists of mountains, foot slopes, glaciated valleys, broad glacial lake terraces, and outwash terraces.   Soils in the eastern area are characteristically deep, medium-textured soils of the hilly and mountainous areas with moderately rapid permeability and moderate water-holding capacity.  Soils in the northwest consist of gravelly and sandy soils with rapid permeability and moderate water-holding capacity that formed in glacial materials. 

Geologic Hazards

Geologically hazardous areas are susceptible to earthquakes, erosion, landslides, or other geologic events. Typically, they are not suited for commercial, residential or industrial development without mitigation.  Geologic hazards are categorized as critical and sensitive areas under the Critical Areas Ordinance described later in this chapter.  Drawing 2-5.  Geologic Hazards and Constraints shows the geologic hazards and constraints including erodible soils, alluvium, landslide deposits, and Latah formation ⁱ.  This Drawing shows that geologic hazards inside the planning area are minimal, with some small areas of erodible soils.

Seismicity.  Spokane County is in a region with a moderate risk of seismic activity.  The Uniform Building Code classifies the area as Seismic Zone 2B.

Erosion.  Spokane County defines erodible soils as those soil associations which have been found to have severe potential of erosion according to the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and/or which have a slope of 30 percent or greater. There are a few small areas of erodible soils located along the planning area border, primarily northwest of Mica Peak, east of Millwood, and in the northern portion of the North Spokane service area.  Erodible soil types are found primarily in the northeastern and southeastern portions of the County.  Small areas with these characteristics can also be found northeast and southeast of the City of Spokane, north and west of the City of Cheney, and west of the City of Medical Lake.

Landslide.  Landslide hazard areas have been defined by areas with a history of landslide deposits, Alluvium, or the Latah formation.  Landslide hazard areas are primarily located in pockets in the northern and central portions of the County. These areas are associated with the Little Spokane River and with the foothills and mountainous areas north of the City of Spokane. Small areas are also present north and west of the City of Cheney.  There are no Latah formations within the planning area boundaries; however, landslide deposits are found in a few areas bordering the planning area.

2.3.3        Climate

The planning area's location on the western flank of the Rocky Mountains gives the area a temperate climate.  Summer is mostly warm and dry, interspersed with a few cool, damp days.  Winter weather is often damp and foggy, with below-freezing temperatures, characteristic of maritime Polar air mass.  Generally, the prime growing season is from mid-April to mid-October.

Annual precipitation in Spokane County ranges from less than 15 inches in the semiarid western edge of the County to more than 25 inches in the hills and mountains on the east side of the County.  The annual precipitation in the planning area is approximately 17 to 21 inches ⁱ.  Figure 2‑1 presents normal monthly temperature and precipitation for the planning area (data taken from a USGS gauging station east of the Spokane International Airport).

 Figure 2‑1. Spokane County Planning Area Average Monthly Temperature and Precipitation

2.3.4        Air Quality

Several conditions contribute to air pollution in Spokane County. Human activities, including automobile use, wood stove use, industrial facilities and agricultural operations, generate airborne substances that can affect air quality. Furthermore, Spokane has been affected substantially by windblown dust from the central portion of the State. The Spokane Valley is a natural basin in which air pollution occasionally is concentrated by temperature inversions (a situation in which lighter warm air overlies heavier cool air).

According to the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Agency, significant air quality problems in Spokane County are limited to particulates (PM₁₀) and carbon monoxide (CO) [iii].  PM₁₀ refers to small airborne particles (e.g., smoke and dust), while CO is a product of incomplete combustion.  A nonattainment area for each of these sources of air pollution has been designated in the Spokane Metropolitan Area.  See Drawing 2-6.  Air Quality Areas for a summary of air quality concerns.

A variety of air pollution control strategies have been employed in Spokane County. The strategies include auto emission inspections, restrictions on open burning, wood stove certification and restriction on wood stove use when pollution levels are high, oxygenated fuels for cars, road paving, and use of chemical deicers as an alternative to road sanding. These measures, combined with cleaner-burning cars, have significantly improved air quality; however, traffic volumes continue to increase which could lead to degradation of air quality in the future ⁱ.

2.3.5        Critical and Sensitive Areas

In July 1996, critical areas in Spokane County were designated, and a Critical Areas Ordinance for the Protection of Wetlands, Fish and Wildlife Habitats and Geo-Hazard Areas in Spokane County was adopted.  The Critical Areas Ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas of Spokane County and establishes allowable uses in wetlands, fish and wildlife habitats, and geo-hazard areas, as well as buffer areas for wetlands.

Critical areas include the following natural places: (a) wetlands; (b) areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for domestic water supply; (c) fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; (d) frequently flooded areas; and (e) geologically hazardous areas. Specific sections within this chapter contain information concerning the locations and status of each critical and sensitive area category listed above ⁱ.

2.3.6        Threatened and Endangered Species

Threatened species for Spokane County include the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Columbia River population bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Spaldings’s silene (Silene spaldingii), Palouse goldenweed (Haplopappus liatriformis), Ute ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), and water howellia (Howellia aquatilis).   Spokane County has one endangered species, the Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripeduim parviflorum).  Drawing 2-7.  Critical Areas shows general habitat locations for endangered and threatened species.  There is no endangered or threatened species habitat within the planning area; however, small areas of endangered species habitat are found bordering the planning area.

In addition to federal- and state-listed endangered and threatened species, there are state-listed candidate species and species of concern.  The species of concern for Spokane County are listed in Error! Reference source not found.. None of the state-listed species are found in the planning area.

Critical habitats are determined for species with sensitive, critical, threatened, or endangered characterizations.  These habitats are managed under the Critical Areas Ordinance described above.  Habitat conservation measures seek to manage land to maintain the species in suitable, natural habitats without creating isolated subpopulations.  Spokane County defines fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas based upon the presence of species of concern (i.e., threatened, sensitive and endangered species); habitats and species of local importance; certain lakes, ponds, streams and rivers that provide fish or wildlife habitat; and state natural area preserves and natural resource conservation areas. Fish and Wildlife Critical Habitat areas are shown in Drawing 2-7 ⁱ.

2.4        Water Resources

This section provides an overview of the key water resources within the planning area or potentially impacted by the County’s wastewater management activities.  For a more thorough discussion of water quality and water quantity issues associated with the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers, the reader is referred to Chapter 4.

2.4.1        Groundwater

Principal groundwater aquifers in the vicinity of the planning area are shown in Drawing 2-4.  By far, the most significant groundwater resource is the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which serves as a source of drinking water for over 400,000 people.  This aquifer commences at Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho and continues west and southwest through the Spokane Valley.  It is part of the Purcell Trench, a major intermountain valley extending northeast from Spokane into Canada.  The aquifer is the product of continental glaciers and flood deposits (one of three hydrogeologic regimes found in the County), and is composed of glaciofluvial sands and gravels over 400 feet thick.  The sand and gravel deposits are underlain and laterally bounded by granite and basalt in most portions of the valley.  In some areas, the aquifer boundaries are comprised of low-permeability lakebed sediments (clays).  In the planning area, the aquifer is recharged along its margin on all sides and from percolation through porous soils overlying the aquifer and through seepage from the Spokane River.  In 1978, the United States Environmental Protection Agency declared the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer a “sole source” aquifer under the provisions of Section 1424(e) of the 1976 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Additional aquifers located within Spokane County consist of basalt interbeds, basement granitics, and matasediments, which formed primarily along fractures [iv].  These are recharged by precipitation and from interaction with adjacent streams.  Groundwater sources within Spokane County in the vicinity of the planning area include the following units:  the Deer Park Aquifer; the Little Spokane Aquifer area; the Green Bluff, Peone Prairie and Orchard-Pleasant Prairie Aquifers; and the East Columbia Plateau Aquifer area, which includes the West Plains Aquifer ⁱ.  Like the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the Deer Park and Little Spokane Aquifers were created by continental glaciers and flood deposits. The East Columbia Plateau Aquifer in the western portion of the County represents a hydrogeologic regime consisting of thin aquifers in basalt formations. The third hydrogeologic regime found in the county is granitic formations which tend to be located in the northern highlands ⁱ.

Soils in the planning area are highly permeable and gravels are frequently encountered at depths of seven to eight feet.  During implementation of the County’s sewer extension program, groundwater has been rarely encountered during trench excavations. Groundwater levels are typically 200 feet below ground surface.

2.4.2        Surface Water

Spokane County has many surface water bodies that provide a variety of economic, recreational and aesthetic benefits and uses.  Drawing 2-4 shows the location of surface water features in and surrounding the planning area.

Principal rivers and streams in the planning area are the Spokane River, Little Spokane River, and Latah Creek. The Spokane River begins in Idaho at Lake Coeur d’Alene and flows west into Washington, through the planning area.  Wide flow fluctuations are common, ranging from a minimum of 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a maximum of 30,000 cfs.  More typically, the river flow varies from 2000 to 7000 cfs. The wide fluctuation of flow levels is dependent upon season, precipitation, water use, and operating strategies of the Post Falls Dam in Idaho.  As described in Chapter 4, the Spokane River and Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer are highly interactive with the river, losing or gaining large volumes of water depending on the location along its reach.  The Spokane River is dammed at several locations along its course.  The Post Falls Dam controls the water level in Lake Coeur d’Alene and regulates release of water to the river.  The Upriver Dam, located within the planning area, creates a 4.5-mile long backwater used for recreational purposes.  Downstream of Spokane, the Long Lake Dam creates 22-mile long Long Lake, a major recreational resource in the region.

The Little Spokane River and its tributaries originate just north of Spokane County and flow south, discharging to Long Lake at the border of Stephens and Spokane Counties. Typically, Little Spokane River flows fluctuate between 300 and 700 cfs. Flows in the lower segment of the river are augmented by discharge from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer [v].

Latah Creek originates in Benewah County, Idaho and flows north to a confluence with the Spokane River at the west side of the City of Spokane.  Flow fluctuates between an average summer flow of 30 cfs to periodic winter flows reaching up to 2000 cfs [vi]. 

Major lakes surrounding the planning area include Newman Lake and Liberty Lake on the east side of the planning area and a cluster of lakes including Medical Lake, Clear Lake, and Silver Lake to the southwest.

2.4.3        Wild and Scenic Rivers

There are no federally designated wild and scenic rivers within Spokane County.  The Little Spokane River is designated as a State-listed wild and scenic river from its confluence with the Spokane River to approximately River Mile 5; however, the state designation does not carry the same regulatory significance as a federal designation.  Along the lower stretch of the river, the 1,353-acre Little Spokane River Natural Area has been established.

2.4.4        Flood Hazard

Frequently flooded areas, or Flood Hazard Areas, are lands which have a 1-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. They are commonly referred to as 100-year floodplains. These lands are found near streams, rivers, lakes, sink areas, major drainage areas and wetlands ⁱ.

Major flood plains in the area are located along the shores of lakes, the Spokane River, and Little Spokane River.  Drawing 2-8.  Flood Hazard shows flood hazard locations in the County.

The major stormwater problem areas are located in Glenrose/Central Park, Eaglewood, Five Mile Prairie, West Plains and the Saltese area (including the Ridgemont, Morningside and Bella Vista areas). These areas are underlain by geology that does not readily absorb water; therefore, they tend to experience acute stormwater problems just after a heavy rain or rapid snowmelt.  The City of Spokane’s combined sewer system is susceptible to surcharge due to runoff from storm events. Spokane County has a separated sewer system, in which stormwater inflow and infiltration has little influence.

2.4.5        Wetlands

Spokane County has adopted the definition of wetlands specified in the Growth Management Act (GMA).  This definition includes “areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions”.  Wetlands are regulated under the Critical Areas Ordinance as described in the Critical and Sensitive Areas section of this chapter.

According to a wetland inventory conducted for Spokane County in 1991, wetlands are distributed throughout Spokane County, with the majority of wetlands located in the west and southwest as shown in Drawing 2-9.  Wetlands.  Palustrine wetlands are scattered throughout the southwest portion of the county and are characterized as inland wetlands, which lack flowing water.  Lacustrine unvegetated wetlands occur along streams, rivers, and lakes especially along the Spokane River outside of the Spokane City limits.  The Spokane Valley has few wetlands, due to the permeable nature of the soils. There are a few small areas of wetlands scattered throughout the planning area, with the majority focused in small clumps in the western section.

2.4.6        Potable Water Supply

Spokane County depends almost entirely on groundwater for its domestic water supply. Several thousand homes rely on private wells and approximately 400,000 people utilize the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer for drinking water. 

The City of Spokane supplies drinking water from eight well fields located within the City’s limits.  The well fields have a pumping capacity of 220 million gallons per day which equates to 24 billion gallons of water per year [vii].

Chapter 4 present further discussion of potable water usage from the Spokane Aquifer.  Detailed information on well locations, types, depth, capacity and year of construction may be found in the City of Spokane’s Wellhead Protection Program Phase I Report ^vii and in Spokane County’s 1996 Report on Water Quality and Water Quantity[viii].

2.4.7        Health Issues

Due to the permeability of the soils overlying the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, potential for aquifer contamination by surface and subsurface activities is high.

A key regional concern has been the proliferation of septic tank leach fields and other on-site disposal systems over the aquifer.  This activity has resulted in increased nitrate levels in groundwater down gradient from the disposal fields, which is an indicator of potential groundwater pollution from human wastewater.  In 1983, the State Board of Health adopted regulations establishing minimum lot sizes to be served by on-site wastewater disposal systems with soil conditions that could contribute to aquifer contamination. The same year, the County began construction of a regional sewer system to serve unincorporated parts of the County. As described earlier, the County focused efforts on the Priority Sewer Service Area, encompassing high-density developments that exceeded the Board of Health’s density standards. Through 1995, a total of 15,595 Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) had been connected to the County’s sewer system [ix]. From 1995 through 1999, approximately 6,900 additional on-site disposal systems have been replaced by connections to the sewer.  Water quality monitoring has demonstrated that where sewers have been installed, the trend toward increased nitrate levels has been reversed [x].  Completion of the County’s sewer program will further protect and improve groundwater quality.

As on-site wastewater disposal systems are eliminated, the primary focus of concern has now turned towards accidental spills of chemicals and toxins [xi].  Petroleum products, which are transported or stored over the aquifer, are of particular concern.  In addition, there is concern of contamination due to manufacturing chemicals, chemical storage, and illegal dumping [xii].  To address these issues, the City of Spokane recently prepared a wellhead protection program [xiii].

2.5        Human Environment

This section provides information on historical population, land use, economic development, historical and archaeological resources and governmental structures.  Much of the source material used for this section addresses countywide characteristics, and is not specific to the wastewater planning area.  Where possible, more localized information is presented.

2.5.1        Population

As shown in Figure 2‑2, the population in Spokane County increased from 37,500 people in 1890 to more than 414,000 people in 1999.  With the exception of the early portion of the 20^th century (1910 through 1930), growth in the County has steadily increased.

The estimated 1999 population within the Spokane County wastewater planning area is 121,000, of which 54,000 people are currently served by the County’s sewer system.

Figure 2‑2.  Spokane County Historical Population Trends

2.5.2        Land Use

The City of Spokane and surrounding urban areas are an economic and cultural center for much of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. The metropolitan center has traditionally been connected closely with the resource economy of the surrounding rural areas.  Agriculture, forestry and mining remain important economic activities that shape the rural character of Spokane County.  Spokane County is approximately 1,760 square miles in area, of which approximately 95 percent is unincorporated.

A general zoning map for the region, including the wastewater planning area is shown in Drawing 2-10.  Zoning Area.  Within the planning area, the dominant land use category is urban residential. The main business corridor in the planning area is located along Sprague, with other smaller business and industrial areas scattered throughout the planning area.

2.5.3        Employment and Economy

Median household and per capita incomes in Spokane County rose through the 1970s, then declined or were stagnant through the 1980s. However, recent increases in both income and retail sales indicate a strong local economy. Figure 2‑3 shows the increase in both median household income and per capita personal income since 1994 [xiv].

Figure 2‑3.  Spokane County Median Household and Per Capita Income

Businesses within Spokane County employ workers from within the County and from nearby Kootenai County, Idaho. According to the U.S. Bureau of Census 1997 Economic Census, the highest employment in the County is provided by the manufacturing industry, retail trade, and health care/social assistance.  The total number of establishments and employment by industry are shown in Table 2‑1.

Table 2‑1.  1997 Spokane County Economic Census Results

The County is home to many top employers such as Hewlett Packard, Honeywell, the Boeing Company, the United States Air Force, Key Tronic, BF Goodrich Aerospace, Principal Financial Group, and Travelers Property Casualty ^xiv.

2.5.4        Agricultural Resources

Urban uses have replaced farms in much of Spokane County; however, 560 square miles of the County remain designated as agricultural land. Urbanization is particularly evident in the County’s wastewater planning area.  Sixty years ago, the entire Spokane Valley area was irrigated and devoted to raising fruits and vegetables; however, gradual urbanization has displaced nearly all agricultural activities.  The conversion of land use resulted from accessibility to roads, a dependable supply of water, and level land characteristics with few physical constraints to development.

Prime farmland consists of rural land with excellent physical and chemical characteristics for the production of food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops.  There is prime farmland located directly north of the planning area, and on the western and southeastern boundaries of the County (see Drawing 2-10). 

Much of the best agricultural land in Spokane County was protected from development when the 1980 Comprehensive Plan was adopted. The 1980 plan designated approximately one-third of the County as agricultural land, with restrictions placed on nonagricultural development in these areas.  Spokane County agriculture consists of 32% livestock (not including dairy, poultry and animal specialties), 21% grain, 16% forage crops, and 13% animal specialties.  The remaining uses include vegetables, melons, fruits, nuts horticultural specialties, dairy, poultry, eggs, and general farms ⁱ. 

2.5.5        Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Resources

The area which is now Spokane County shows evidence of habitation reaching back at least 13,000 years.  Within Spokane County there were as many as six aboriginal groups, which now compose three main tribes: the Spokanes, the Coeur d’Alenes and the Kalispels. Each of these groups harvested vegetation, hunted game stock and traded with each other.

In 1810, British traders built a trading post (the Spokane House) near the confluence of the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers.  The U.S. Government and the Spokane area tribes fought over land throughout the early to mid-1800s, until the tribes were eventually defeated, after which European immigrants began moving into the area in larger numbers.  The territorial legislature created Spokane County in 1858. The county included all of Washington State east of the Cascade Mountains, as well as northern Idaho and western Montana: about 75,000 square miles [xv].

In these early days of Spokane’s history, only a few farms dotted the countryside spaced many miles apart.  By the early Twentieth Century, Spokane County was the rapidly growing center of the Inland Northwest, an area that encompassed the mining district of northern Idaho and southern British Columbia as well as the rich timber and farmlands of eastern Washington. By 1903, the region was served by several transcontinental rail lines and was the hub of a growing system of electric interurban lines managed by the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad System Company [xvi].

The cultural resources inventory includes both archeological and historical sites. The inventory includes about 100 archeological sites, which are not available to the public because of past abuse of such sites. They include Indian-related locations which have been identified. These are fishing sites, trading grounds, village sites, pictographs and burial grounds. Archeological sites tend to be found near rivers and lakes at places of note such as waterfalls, points of river crossing, the confluence of streams or just along the shore. These sites tend to be buried and are discovered only when the ground is broken, as for construction. 

2.5.6        Governmental Structure

A wide range of governmental agencies has interest in wastewater management issues in Spokane County.  These agencies span many jurisdictional levels:  local, regional, state and federal.  For the purpose of this discussion, the agencies are divided into two groups:  The first group, “Local Wastewater Service Providers,” include those agencies that either contribute wastewater to the County collection system or receive flow from the County for treatment and disposal.  The second group, “Other Interested Agencies,” is those agencies having an interest in the plan.  Authorities and responsibilities of the local wastewater service providers are described below, along with a listing of other interested agencies and governments.

Local Wastewater Service Providers

Spokane County.  Spokane County provides wastewater collection service to residential, commercial and industrial customers within its designated service area.  The County also operates and maintains several small wastewater treatment facilities that serve small developments to which the centralized sewer system has yet to be extended (see discussion in Chapter 5).

City of Spokane.  The City of Spokane owns and operates the Spokane Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (SAWTP) which processes wastewater generated in the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Airway Heights and Fairchild Air Force Base.  Wastewater generated in Spokane County is conveyed through City-owned interceptor sewers to the SAWTP. 

In 1980, an interlocal agreement between the City and County of Spokane resulted in the County purchasing treatment and conveyance capacity in the City’s system.  The agreement addresses a variety of wastewater management issues, however, at the heart of the contract is the County’s procurement of 10 million gallons per day of dry weather treatment capacity at the SAWTP.  Since 1980, four amendments to the original agreement have been executed to refine issues associated with cost sharing, wet-weather conveyance capacity, pretreatment responsibilities and other issues.

Town of Millwood.  The Town of Millwood operates a wastewater collection system.  Wastewater generated in Millwood is discharged to Spokane County’s interceptor system for ultimate conveyance to the SAWTP.

Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.  Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District provides wastewater collection, treatment and disposal services for residential, commercial and industrial customers in the east Spokane Valley near the Idaho State line.  In 1993, the District entered into an agreement with Spokane County to allow “excess” flow from the District to be conveyed through the County’s interceptor to the SAWTP on an interim basis should the capacity of the District’s treatment plant be exceeded, and contingent upon available capacity in the County wastewater system.  To date, no District flows have been sent through the County system.

Other Interested Agencies

The following is a partial list of other agencies, which share an interest in water quality and wastewater management issues in the region, and may be involved in Spokane County’s facilities plan.  These agencies have an interest in the plan because of their regulatory functions, responsibility for facilities located within the watershed, interest in the surface and groundwater resources, or ability to impact development or implementation of the plan.

Federal

§         Bureau of Reclamation

§         Department of Agriculture

§         Department of Energy

§         District Corps of Engineers

§         Environmental Protection Agency

§         Federal Emergency Management Administration

§         Fish and Wildlife Service

§         National Marine Fisheries Service

§         Soil Conservation Service

State of Washington

§         Department of Agriculture

§         Department of Ecology

§         Department of Health

§         Department of Natural Resources

§         Fish and Wildlife

State of Idaho

§         Department of Environmental Quality

Regional Agencies, Governments and Entities

§         City of Airway Heights

§         City of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

§         City of Post Falls, Idaho

§         Fairchild Air Force Base

§         Hayden Area Regional Sewerage Board, Idaho

§         Spokane River Phosphorus Technical Advisory Committee

§         Spokane County Air Pollution Control Agency

§         Spokane County Health District