[Vision2020] Moscow Civic Association report

[Bill London]

>
> > Moscow Civic Association Update
> > by Lois Blackburn
> >
> >  On Monday, March 10 at the 1912 Building, a panel of experts on water
> > issues presented information about the Palouse Aquifer at the Moscow Civic
> > Association meeting.  The panel focused on threats to the Palouse
> > groundwater resource and what citizens can do to ensure conservation of that
> > resource.
> > Dr. Elsa Kirsten Peters, geologist at WSU, gave an illustrated description
> > of what is known of the structure and workings of the aquifer-- and what is
> > not known, a considerable vacuum of knowledge.
> > Tom Townsend, a longtime member of the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee,
> > described the frustrations of that group in attempting to protect water
> > resources in the face of rapid development.
> > Dr. Bill French, founder of the Palouse Water Conservation Network, pointed
> > out that the application from Naylor Farms for vast amounts of water is only
> > the most visible and recent threat, neither the first nor the last, and that
> > the need for all possible avenues of conservation is urgent.
> > Rachael Paschal Osborn, a public interest water lawyer from Spokane who
> > worked on the Rathdrum power plant cases and the Battle Mountain Gold case,
> > stated firmly that we in the Palouse are "mining" our aquifer, meaning that
> > the water is being used faster than natural forces can replace it, receding
> > about a foot and a half a year.  Mining water resources is against the law
> > in Idaho, meaning that the granting of additional water rights is also
> > illegal.  Moreover, there is no legal basis for the private, closed-door
> > nature of the negotiations between the City of Moscow and Naylor Farms.
> > Further, according to an article in the Daily News, Naylor Farms claims that
> > it is not their responsibility, but rather that of the public or the City,
> > to show that the requested water usage, if approved, would adversely affect
> > the aquifer.  According to water rights attorney Rachael Osborn, the law is
> > exactly the opposite: it is the responsibility of the party applying for
> > water rights to demonstrate that their request, if approved, would do no
> > harm.
> > Those in attendance at the meeting voted to bring these matters before the
> > appropriate city officials via a letter from Moscow Civic Association
> > president Lois Blackburn.
> > The next meeting of the Moscow Civic Association will be a joint
> > presentation with Citizens for Quality Education, and will explore the
> > topic: "Moscow School District Facilities: Options for the Future."  The
> > meeting will be Monday, April 14 at 7 PM at the 1912 Building.  All members
> > and others interested in Moscow Civic Association and in this topic are
> > invited.
> >
> > Lois Blackburn is the president of the Moscow Civic Association