[Vision2020] Thirsty for a Wal-Mart?

[Jeff Harkins]

Curious post by Mr. Soloman and endorsed by Mr. Hansen.

If WalMart acquires water for their location, who 
consumes it?  Would it be the customers?  Would 
it be the employees? Would it be the watering of 
plants in the garden section?   If  there is no 
expansion for the Walmart Supercenter, would 
those customers and employees go somewhere else - 
and if so, would they take their water 
consumption needs with them?  Of course, the only 
relevant computation would be the change in usage 
from their present location to their proposed location.

Mark's argument seems like a flawed, 
supercilious, self-serving and illogical argument to me.

Where was his outrage for water usage when 
Tri-State expanded?  Where was his focus on water 
when Moscow Building Supply expanded and added 
their nursery operation?  Why didn't he 
investigate the increased water consumption for the CoOp when it expanded?

Seems as if Mark is just attempting to impose his 
personal choice preferences on the rest of us - 
and desperate to find an argument to support his point of view.

Walmart customers and employees have as much 
right to expect water-based services at Walmart 
as they would obtain at any other retail 
facility. In fact, the water "needs" are dictated 
by local building codes - retail establishments 
must meet those codes - restroom facilities, hand 
washing, etc. It is inexplicable to castigate one 
firm for meeting building code requirements for its customers.

If Mr. Solomon and Mr. Hansen are really 
concerned about water usage in retail facilities, 
why don't they research the present standards and 
consider some alternatives to the number of 
toilets and sinks required, the flow rates 
etc.  Maybe no hand washing should be provided - 
perhaps only the alcohol based cleansers used for 
"dry washing".  Perhaps all retail facilities 
should be required to process their black water 
waste, rather than "flush it".  These strategies 
(and I am sure there are many alternatives that 
might be considered) could bring significant 
water savings - and they would be absorbed by all 
consumers, not just those shopping at Walmart.

At the end of the day, it's all about consumers 
and shopping.  And so easy for you to cast your vote - don't shop there.

Cut to the chase you guys - just say you don't 
want Walmart here - you would rather deny someone else's choice.

Avoid the hyperbole, please.

At 07:53 AM 4/30/2006, you wrote:
> >From today's (April 30, 2006) Lewiston Tribune with a special thanks to Mark
>Soloman -
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Thirsty for a Wal-Mart?
>
>Fact: The city of Moscow is signatory to the Palouse Basin Aquifer agreement
>which requires it to limit increases in aquifer pumping to 1 percent
>annually and for Moscow to not exceed a pumping cap of 875 million
>gallons/year (MGY).
>
>Fact: From 1994 to 2003, Moscow exceeded its 1 percent annual growth limit
>and from 1998-2003 its 875 mgy cap.
>
>Fact: In 2004, the city implemented mandatory landscape irrigation measures
>that reduced the amount of water pumped by the city from 919 MGY in 2003 to
>819 MGY in 2005. (Bravo!) In addition, 2005 was the first year since the
>city signed the PBAA agreement that it was in compliance with the agreement.
>
>
>Fact: Moscow city wells (with the exception of wells 6 and 8, which have had
>their pumping significantly decreased due to municipal piping issues)
>continue to have declining water levels despite the conservation efforts of
>people and businesses across the city.
>
>Fact: the super Wal-Mart developer forecasts full build out at 1.5 million
>square feet of commercial space. The applicant predicts water usage at over
>62 MGY or a 7.6 percent increase above current levels violating the 1
>percent PBAC limit. Full build out will cause the city to exceed its
>absolute PBAC cap of 875 MGY.
>
>Question: Is this how we want to use the water we have conserved? Do we want
>to give all our water to Wal-Mart?
>
>Answer: City council public hearing on proposed rezone to accommodate a
>super Wal-Mart May 1, at 7 p.m. Ask the council yourself.
>
>Mark Solomon
>Moscow
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Well said, Mr. Solomon.
>
>Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
>and the REALIST adjusts his sails."
>- Unknown
>
>
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