[Vision2020] Water Meeting on Monday

Jon Kimberling jon@n-k-ins.com
Mon, 15 Dec 2003 09:45:43 -0800


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I thank John for his comments and agree that tonight is the time for us =
to come together in support of solving this critical problem. However, I =
would like to respond to his comments about my earlier statements.

There is a very delicate balance between growth and preservation of =
resources. Over that last year, on more than one occasion, we have heard =
representatives of the water coalition talk about different types of =
moratoriums. Most recently, two of the most prominent members of these =
groups appeared before the Planning & Zoning Commission. The occasion =
was the request to annex and develop property south of Joseph Street, =
east of White Avenue and north of Ridgeview Drive. Excerpts from the =
minutes of the 11/12/03 meeting are as follows:

Therefore, "French thinks it would be ill advised to grant annexation or =
additional subdivisions (not just this one in particular) until the City =
has defined plans for future water supply".

Solomon stated  "at this point it would be reckless to approve =
developments.......=20

Their position on this request was clearly "no growth". The P & Z voted =
unanimously in support of the development.

As to the request to Idaho Dept. of Water Resources, it does state =
"impose a moratorium on the processing and approval of all pending and =
new applications for permits to appropriate water.......... City staff =
advises that their interpretation of this request is that anyone who =
wanted to drill a new well would not be permitted to do so. Staff was =
aware of at least two such applications currently pending. If the groups =
who filed the petition have a different interpretation than City staff, =
it would seem important to clarify this question.=20

In addition, right now approximately 60% of the water from our aquifers =
is being pumped out by our neighbors across the border. Pullman recently =
approved a new sub-division. We know from a recent report from the City =
of Moscow that average water use for Pullman/WSU is higher than =
Moscow/UI. I'm curious to know if any representatives of the water =
coalition were present at the meeting in Pullman? Did they make the same =
request to stop development in Pullman that they did on 11/12 in Moscow? =


In hindsight, it would have been more useful to the discussion if I =
would have posed this question: how would the coalition proposal limit =
development and constrain the growth of our tax base? One constant theme =
I've heard over the course of the last year is that our taxes are high =
enough. Any limitation on our ability to grow will negatively impact our =
ability to hold the line on tax increases.=20

I have the same goal of stabilizing our groundwater but doing it in a =
way that has the least negative impact on our local economy. I believe =
the suggestion of any type of moratorium, at this point, is premature. I =
agree with Dale Ralston's comment at the 6/23/03 meeting wherein he =
stated "declaration of a critical ground water area hasn't been a =
solution in any area of the state".

Jon Kimberling

  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: John Dickinson=20
  To: vision2020@moscow.com=20
  Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 11:29 PM
  Subject: [Vision2020] Water Meeting on Monday


  Visionaries-

  I have a couple of comments on recent postings regarding Moscow's =
water.

  I do think that it is a good idea to get as many people as possible to =
the meeting on Monday. It is a public meeting before both the Moscow =
City Council and the Latah County Commissioners in the City Council =
chambers in City Hall on the evening of December 15. The meeting itself =
begins at 7:00 pm but the public hearing will begin at 7:30 pm. In the =
City's public meeting notice, the city indicates, "The subject of the =
meeting pertains to the potential designation of the region by the Idaho =
Department of Water Resources according to state statutes governing =
ground water issues. Designation of the area could impact future water =
use within the region and development within the City of Moscow and =
Latah County."=20

  In addition to the subject of the meeting, I think it's good to know =
the format of the meeting and what to expect if you attend. The first 30 =
minutes of the meeting will consist of some standard City Council =
business and a report by Randy Fife on the Agreement with Whitcom for =
E-911 Services.

  At 7:30 pm the Joint Public Meeting will begin. This will be a meeting =
where the public will be asked to give testimony. The mayor will run the =
meeting and in addition to the Latah County Commissions and the current =
Moscow City Council, I think the three newly elected city council =
members will also be there. I believe there will be a presentation by =
the city and one by the county. These presentations should provide some =
background and activities that the city and county think are important =
to the discussion. These presentations will probably last an hour or so. =
After these presentations, the public will be asked for their ideas and =
comments to either the City Council or the Board of County =
Commissioners. There may be some discussion by the City Council members =
which could result in some direction given to city staff.

  A representative from the Idaho Department of Water Resources has been =
invited, but there may be a scheduling conflict with Monday's meeting. =
So unfortunately, I don't believe there will be any representatives from =
the state to clarify questions that people may have about the issue, to =
point out potential misunderstandings about the process, or to correct =
any errors of fact.

  Many posts to V2020 have various levels of inaccuracies in them =
(including this post, I am sure).

  There have been posts that imply that the state has become interested =
in our aquifer only because of a recent petition to the Idaho Department =
of Water Resources. There has been a local ground water management plan =
in place since 1992 that specified pumping limits for Moscow, Pullman, =
UI, and WSU. The only entity that has not been able to meet these =
pumping limits is Moscow - the other three entities have managed to =
remain within the pumping limits.=20

  There have been posts that imply that if the state becomes involved =
that there will be a moratorium on any new hookups to the water system, =
even to a single family home. The request, as I understand it, is to =
impose a moratorium on permits to appropriate water from our aquifers. =
The question of new water hookups in Moscow would remain a local land =
use decision that the City would control. What would be reviewed are any =
new wells that the City might want to dig. New wells are far different =
than new home hookups. In November, I heard Bob Haynes (Idaho Dept. of =
Water Resources) explain that local land use would remain local. So I =
don't believe there is justification for statements such as "it would =
have a huge, negative impact on our community," or that the result will =
be to "shut down new development and essentially (freeze) our tax base." =
Remember that the goal is to stabilize groundwater levels and provide =
for a sustainable water supply for all area residents.

  There have been posts that imply that those who call for conservation =
are also calling for no growth. This region has a very modest rate of =
growth, on the order of 1 or 2 percent. If water conservation methods =
enabled us to conserve 1 or 2 percent, then there would be nice balance =
between growth and conservation.

  I hope at the meeting we'll be able to focus on the issue in front of =
us, regarding our use of water and our ability to provide quality water =
to area residents today and in the future. Let's discuss how to provide =
potable water for the people who live in our region, explore ways to =
conserve the amount of water that we use, and learn how to protect this =
valuable and treasured resource. I don't think we can continue to delay =
action by asking for more science or more studies. It is time to get our =
act together or we will force to let the state help us.

  I hope that interested residents will come to the meeting on Monday to =
learn more about this issue. We need everyone, including the coalition, =
developers, residents, the business community, and others, to find a =
community solution to this important and complex problem.


  John Dickinson

  =20

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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I thank John for his comments and =
agree&nbsp;that=20
tonight is the time&nbsp;for us to come together in support of solving =
this=20
critical problem. However, I would like to respond to his comments about =
my=20
earlier statements.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>There is a very delicate balance =
between growth and=20
preservation of resources. Over that last year, on more than one =
occasion, we=20
have heard representatives of the water coalition talk about different =
types of=20
moratoriums. Most recently, two of the most prominent members of these =
groups=20
appeared before the Planning &amp; Zoning Commission. The occasion was =
the=20
request to annex and develop property<STRONG> </STRONG>south of Joseph =
Street,=20
east of White Avenue and&nbsp;north of Ridgeview=20
Drive.<st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><STRONG>=20
</STRONG></SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street>Excerpts from the minutes of =
the=20
11/12/03&nbsp;meeting are as follows:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Therefore, "French thinks it would be ill advised =
to grant=20
annexation or additional subdivisions (not just this one in particular) =
until=20
the City has defined plans for future water supply".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Solomon stated&nbsp; "at this point it would be =
reckless to=20
approve developments....... </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Their position on this request was clearly "no =
growth". The P=20
&amp; Z voted unanimously in support of the=20
development.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>As to the request&nbsp;to Idaho Dept. of Water =
Resources, it=20
does state "impose a moratorium on the processing and approval of all =
pending=20
and new applications for permits to appropriate water.......... City =
staff=20
advises that their interpretation of this request is that anyone who =
wanted to=20
drill a new well would not be permitted to do so. Staff was aware of at =
least=20
two such applications currently pending. If the groups who filed the =
petition=20
have a different interpretation than City staff, it would=20
seem&nbsp;important&nbsp;to clarify this question. =
</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>In addition, right now approximately 60% of the =
water from our=20
aquifers is being pumped out by our neighbors across the border. Pullman =

recently approved a new sub-division. We know from a recent report from =
the City=20
of Moscow that average water use for Pullman/WSU is higher than =
Moscow/UI. I'm=20
curious to know if any representatives of the water coalition were =
present at=20
the meeting in Pullman? Did they make the same request to stop =
development in=20
Pullman that they did on 11/12 in Moscow? </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>In hindsight, it would have been more useful to =
the discussion=20
if I would have posed this question: how would the coalition proposal =
limit=20
development and constrain the growth of our tax base? One constant theme =
I've=20
heard over the course of the last year is that our taxes are high =
enough. Any=20
limitation on our ability to grow will negatively impact our ability to =
hold the=20
line on tax increases. </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>I have the same goal of stabilizing our =
groundwater but doing=20
it in a way that has the least negative impact on our local economy. I =
believe=20
the suggestion of any type of moratorium, at this point, is premature. I =
agree=20
with Dale Ralston's comment at the 6/23/03 meeting wherein he stated=20
"declaration of a critical ground water area hasn't been a solution in =
any area=20
of the state".</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
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style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; =
mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; =
mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Jon Kimberling</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN=20
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mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Black" size=3D2></FONT></SPAN></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3Djohnd@moscow.com href=3D"mailto:johnd@moscow.com">John =
Dickinson</A>=20
  </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dvision2020@moscow.com=20
  href=3D"mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, December 14, 2003 =
11:29=20
  PM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Water =
Meeting on=20
  Monday</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV class=3DSection1>
  <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3Dnavy size=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Visionaries-<BR><BR>I=20
  have a couple of comments on recent postings regarding Moscow=92s=20
  water.<BR><BR>I do think that it is a good idea to get as many people =
as=20
  possible to the meeting on Monday. It is a public meeting before both =
the=20
  Moscow City Council and the Latah County Commissioners in the City =
Council=20
  chambers in City Hall on the evening of December 15. The meeting =
itself begins=20
  at 7:00 pm but the public hearing will begin at 7:30 pm. In the =
City=92s public=20
  meeting notice, the city indicates, =93The subject of the meeting =
pertains to=20
  the potential designation of the region by the Idaho Department of =
Water=20
  Resources <B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold">according to state=20
  statutes</SPAN></B> governing ground water issues. Designation of the =
area=20
  could impact future water use within the region and development within =
the=20
  City of Moscow and Latah County.=94 <BR><BR>In addition to the subject =
of the=20
  meeting, I think it=92s good to know the format of the meeting and =
what to=20
  expect if you attend. The first 30 minutes of the meeting will consist =
of some=20
  standard City Council business and a report by Randy Fife on the =
Agreement=20
  with Whitcom for E-911 Services.<BR><BR>At 7:30 pm the Joint Public =
Meeting=20
  will begin. This will be a meeting where the public will be asked to =
give=20
  testimony. The mayor will run the meeting and in addition to the Latah =
County=20
  Commissions and the current Moscow City Council, I think the three =
newly=20
  elected city council members will also be there. I believe there will =
be a=20
  presentation by the city and one by the county. These presentations =
should=20
  provide some background and activities that the city and county think =
are=20
  important to the discussion. These presentations will probably last an =
hour or=20
  so. After these presentations, the public will be asked for their =
ideas and=20
  comments to either the City Council or the Board of County =
Commissioners.=20
  There may be some discussion by the City Council members which could =
result in=20
  some direction given to city staff.<BR><BR>A representative from the =
Idaho=20
  Department of Water Resources has been invited, but there may be a =
scheduling=20
  conflict with Monday=92s meeting. So unfortunately, I don=92t believe =
there will=20
  be any representatives from the state to clarify questions that people =
may=20
  have about the issue, to point out potential misunderstandings about =
the=20
  process, or to correct any errors of fact.<BR><BR>Many posts to V2020 =
have=20
  various levels of inaccuracies in them (including this post, I am=20
  sure).<BR><BR>There have been posts that imply that the state has =
become=20
  interested in our aquifer only because of a recent petition to the =
Idaho=20
  Department of Water Resources. There has been a local ground water =
management=20
  plan in place since 1992 that specified pumping limits for Moscow, =
Pullman,=20
  UI, and WSU. The only entity that has not been able to meet these =
pumping=20
  limits is Moscow =96 the other three entities have managed to remain =
within the=20
  pumping limits. <BR><BR>There have been posts that imply that if the =
state=20
  becomes involved that there will be a moratorium on any new hookups to =
the=20
  water system, even to a single family home. The request, as I =
understand it,=20
  is to impose a moratorium on permits to appropriate water from our =
aquifers.=20
  The question of new water hookups in Moscow would remain a local land =
use=20
  decision that the City would control. What would be reviewed are any =
new wells=20
  that the City might want to dig. New wells are far different than new =
home=20
  hookups. In November, I heard Bob Haynes (Idaho Dept. of Water =
Resources)=20
  explain that local land use would remain local. So I don=92t believe =
there is=20
  justification for statements such as =93it would have a huge, negative =
impact on=20
  our community,=94 or that the result will be to =93shut down new =
development and=20
  essentially (freeze) our tax base.=94 Remember that the goal is to =
stabilize=20
  groundwater levels and provide for a sustainable water supply for all =
area=20
  residents.<BR><BR>There have been posts that imply that those who call =
for=20
  conservation are also calling for no growth. This region has a very =
modest=20
  rate of growth, on the order of 1 or 2 percent. If water conservation =
methods=20
  enabled us to conserve 1 or 2 percent, then there would be nice =
balance=20
  between growth and conservation.<BR><BR>I hope at the meeting we=92ll =
be able to=20
  focus on the issue in front of us, regarding our use of water and our =
ability=20
  to provide quality water to area residents today and in the future. =
Let=92s=20
  discuss how to provide potable water for the people who live in our =
region,=20
  explore ways to conserve the amount of water that we use, and learn =
how to=20
  protect this valuable and treasured resource. I don=92t think we can =
continue to=20
  delay action by asking for more science or more studies. It is time to =
get our=20
  act together or we will force to let the state help us.<BR><BR>I hope =
that=20
  interested residents will come to the meeting on Monday to learn more =
about=20
  this issue. We need everyone, including the coalition, developers, =
residents,=20
  the business community, and others, to find a community solution to =
this=20
  important and complex problem.<BR><BR><BR>John =
Dickinson</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
  color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
  style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; =
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