[Vision2020] The GWPZ Hearing--water use differences

[Michael Curley]

Mark:
Thank you.  Donovan I apologize to you and the group for being off 
point.  The distinctions between gray water and aquifer water still 
apply as do the legal requirements on governmental entities.  And a 
suggestion to solve the inequities might still be in order.

Thanks for getting me on track, Mark.  Since my yard is dead and so 
is the garden for this year (happens when I leave town), I haven't 
even had to attend to the Moscow ordinance, let alone the county's.

Mike

On 15 Aug 2005 at 14:53, Mark Solomon wrote:

> Mike,
> 
> Donovan is referring to the proposed county 
> groundwater land use management overlay zone for 
> the Moscow sub-basin, not the City conservation 
> ordinance.
> 
> Mark Solomon
> 
> At 11:59 AM -0700 8/15/05, Michael Curley wrote:
> >Donovan:
> >Briefly, and without trying to answer every question you asked or
> >that will arise from this comment, there are several factors that
> >create the perceived discrepancies you mention.  As I understand it
> >from prior posts, golf courses would only be allowed to use "gray"
> >water.  That is not available to most housing developments and it is
> >probably good policy to keep it "out of the hands of children" (among
> >other reasons).  Government (local and otherwise) has some
> >restrictions on what it can mandate.  It can, for example, limit the
> >number of bedrooms in a certain area (perhaps), but cannot, without
> >some true and declared emergency, totally eliminate the possibility
> >of building a 5 bedroom house. 
> >
> >I might also add that your comment seems (although you may truly not
> >have intended it) to suggest that a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom
> >home would, jointly, be more water conserving than a single 5-bedroom
> >home--a proposition that I suspect would not (dare I say) hold water
> >if put to a research study (which have no doubt been done and some
> >other reader will send us to the data).  Even if true, the city
> >probably cannot legally get into discriminating against families that
> >need 5 bedrooms and those that need only 3--except when the extras
> >are used long-term by non-family members (such as boarders).
> >
> >I have been out of town for some time, so I'm not aware that the City
> >has said we can't water our lawns or gardens.  The water conservation
> >ordinance simply restricts the hours during which the watering can
> >occur--and by the way, grants an exemption for those who have a gray
> >water system.
> >
> >I will note that the ordinance rather strangely includes "soaker
> >hoses" and "drip irrigation systems" in the definition of restricted
> >uses and then immediately thereafter says they may be used "at any
> >time. . ." 
> >
> >The ordinance also gives the City Engineer authority to grant
> >variances in appropriate circumstances.  If there is good reason for
> >you to water your organic garden between 10am and 6pm, you can apply
> >for a variance--and, of course, appeal up the line to City Council if
> >you are not happy with the answer you get.
> >
> >Sorry to not have time to be more thorough.  I do have a suggestion
> >for you if you will allow.  You are a bright guy who asks really good
> >questions from time to time.  If you think the city is messed up on
> >this issue, I invite you to research the ordinances that apply and
> >consider any inconsistencies from one section to another.  Then,
> >suggest a solution--how should the ordinances be changed.  I'll even
> >discuss them with you offlist if you'd like and you/we can then offer
> >the suggestions to the list before taking them to the city.  Maybe
> >you could make a positive change.  I know it happens because a friend
> >and client of mine pointed out an error one week and the change was
> >on Council's agenda the next. 
> >
> >Mike Curley
> >
> >
> >On 12 Aug 2005 at 17:27, Donovan Arnold wrote:
> >
> >>  Diane,
> >>
> >>  I thank you for informing us about the working
> >>  conditions of the committee members and that you do
> >>  not play golf.
> >>
> >>  However, you did not address any of the content of my
> >>  email.
> >>
> >>  What I asked was why we are telling people they cannot
> >>  water their lawns and gardens because we have a
> >>  massive water shortage and yet at the same time allow
> >>  for the construction of large homes and golf courses.
> >>
> >>  Having a policy that allows for the construction of
> >>  large homes and new golf courses when we do not have
> >>  the water to support the ones we currently have is
> >>  irresponsible governance because future resource needs
> >>  of Moscow residents will not be meet.
> >>
> >>  Assuming we do not have a shortage, or it is not that
> >  > drastic of a shortage, why are we allowing the
> >>  construction of huge homes and golf courses before
> >>  allowing current home owners to be able to water their
> >>  lawns and gardens?
> >>
> >>  Golfers are given three golf courses before gardens
> >>  can have one organic garden on their own property?
> >>  That is not a fair and just policy.
> >>
> >>  If someone would like to address these policy flaws,
> >>  not the working conditions of the members, their
> >>  personalities, or what they think about golf, please
> >>  do so.
> >>
> >>  Donovan J Arnold
> >>
> >>
> >>
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