City of Spokane Critical Areas O

The City of Spokane has completed a review and update of its Critical Areas Ordinances as required by the Growth Management Act (GMA). The designation and protection of critical areas is important to preserving our natural environment and safeguarding the public. The 2007 review and update focused on the application of Best Available Science, the requirement for “no net loss of ecological function,” and ensuring effective administration.

There are five critical areas protected by the City of Spokane in Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) Title 17 E Environmental. They are Aquifer Protection (Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas), Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas, Floodplain Management Areas, Geologically Hazardous Areas, and Wetlands Protection. The City Council adopted the updates to the ordinances on December 3, 2007; they became effective January 6, 2008. In addition, SMC Chapter 17A.020 Definitions and Chapter 1.05 Civil Infraction System were also amended.

Potential Critical Areas have been mapped and can be viewed using the Spokane CityMap viewer. Click on the layers tab and select Environment. Select the different areas within the environment layer to view the critical area information. These maps are for informational purposes only; criteria for identification of critical areas are provided in each ordinance and will prevail over mapping.

Critical area protection consists of both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches. The adoption of critical area ordinances provides the administrative review and approval process for regulating land uses that may impact critical areas. Strategies include conservation policies in the Comprehensive Plan and appropriate open space and land use designations. Other regulations covering development, such as the subdivision ordinance, stormwater regulations, and building codes must also work to protect these areas and need to be reviewed any time development or activity takes place in a critical area or associated buffer.

A pre-development conference and submission of a Critical Area Checklist is now required once it is determined a project or activity is located in a potential Critical Area. The conference and checklist help inform applicants about Critical Areas, buffers, required studies, setbacks, and other standards that may affect their project as early in the process as possible. This Checklist is in addition to the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) Checklist. More information is available on the Checklist Handout, or by contacting Current Planning staff at 625.6060.