Agencies Split Over Erosion Control Proposal Enforcing Rules On New Development Not Worth Cost, Says Engineer

Development regulations proposed by one Spokane County agency were criticized as costly and ineffective by the head of a closely related agency Thursday.

The regulations, which are opposed by at least one major developers’ group, would require plans for controlling runoff and erosion in new developments.

“When you take a look at the cost-benefit ratio, it doesn’t work,” county engineer Bill Johns told the county Planning Commission at a hearing. “It’s just a lot more government.”

The proposed “erosion and sediment control” regulations were written by utilities engineers at the request of former Commissioner Steve Hasson. Commissioners held a hearing on the regulations last year, but sent them to the Planning Commission for more review.

Since then, the utilities department has become part of the county’s public works department. That leaves Johns’ staff, who also are part of public works, responsible for enforcing the ordinance if it’s adopted.

Under the proposed regulations, developers would have to assure that no more than two gallons of dirt wash onto county roads on any given day, and that nothing washes onto adjoining private property.

Similar guidelines already exist, but the county has little authority to enforce them.

Hasson suggested the regulations in 1995 after flooding tore down retaining walls and muddied basements on Browne Mountain.

The regulations would solve the less spectacular but more persistent problem of county storm drains, ditches and culverts being clogged by dirt washed from building sites and new developments, said Steve Worley, an engineer from the utilities department.

Money saved by avoiding flood damage probably would cover the wages of the person who would have to be hired to enforce the law, Worley said.

Johns said one person isn’t enough.

“Let’s say we want to prevent erosion. Then I want 10 people and I want this (ordinance) rewritten” so it’s much tougher, Johns said. “That means a lot more government.”

Suzanne Knapp of the Spokane Homebuilders Association noted that the erosion standards aren’t required under state law. Worley said they probably will be soon.

“I’m against putting things in law just because they might eventually be required,” Knapp said. “There are more regulations on the books in Spokane County than you can imagine to cover development.”

Both Johns and Knapp suggested rewriting existing rules to make them enforceable.

But landscape architect Michael Terrell said the guidelines “are about 20 years out of date.

“It’s important that this (ordinance) move ahead,” Terrell told the Planning Commission.

Planning commissioners said they want more time to take public comments about the regulations and make revisions, if necessary. Their final approval or rejection of the ordinance will go to county commissioners as a recommendation.

, DataTimes