City Will Help Pay For Stormwater Study

Spokane City Council members agreed Tuesday to pay part of the cost of writing solutions to the stormwater problems in Central Park and on Moran and Glenrose prairies.

The county has hired a Boise consultant to come up with a draft plan for handling storm runoff that’s been filling parking lots, streets and yards.

The past couple of years the problem has been so bad that many residents have had flooding in their basements.

County commissioners last week extended interim regulations on handling of stormwater for all new developments.

Until a long-term stormater system is developed, the county is requiring lined evaporation ponds to handle runoff instead of grassy depressions that let water seep into the ground.

Public officials say they want to find a permanent fix, but it’s going to cost money. Development of homes and businesses has increased the runoff, and in many areas natural drainage channels have been covered with buildings or pavement.

Local officials say the solution is probably a combination of storm sewers and drainage ditches, plus treatment and settling basins to handle the excess water.

Residents living in the basin probably will have to share in the cost of the system.

The consultant, Montgomery-Watson Americas Inc., is now studying the entire Glenrose watershed, which includes Central Park, Glenrose Prairie, Moran Prairie and the upper areas of Lincoln Heights.

Recommendations are expected later this year.

The cost of the contract is $257,000.

The council Tuesday voted to pay a proportional cost of the study based on the acreage of the watershed inside the city limits.

The watershed is 7,700 acres. Of that, 1,300 acres are inside the city. The city’s share of the study is $43,000.

In addition, the council agreed to share computerized geographical information with the county so the consultant can develop the plan.

The computer information includes elevations, easements, rights of way and utility locations.

Before a final plan is adopted, county stormwater officials will conduct public meetings this fall to take comment on proposed solutions to the stormwater problem.

, DataTimes