[Vision2020] Moscow's Growth Policies Don't Apply to Whitman (or dothey?)

[Matt Decker]

Tom,

What a great post. I only hope more of these come out in the near future.

And cheers to Whitman for not allowing Moscow to bully them with silly 
excuses and agendas.

Matt


>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] Moscow's Growth Policies Don't Apply to Whitman (or 
>dothey?)
>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:47:52 -0800
>
> >From today's (January 13, 2007) Moscow-Pullman Daily News -
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>
>OUR VIEW: Moscow's growth policies don't apply to Whitman
>
>By Murf Raquet, for the editorial board
>
>Saturday, January 13, 2007 - Page Updated at 10:20:50 PM
>
>Political boundaries on the Palouse are clear.Moscow city limits extend to
>the Washington state border as does the eastern edge of Whitman County.
>
>Both entities have their own regulations to follow when it comes to
>development. Often those rules are similar in that they require development
>plans to undergo sufficient public scrutiny to protect the environment.
>
>It's time for Moscow to recognize that Whitman County is perfectly capable
>of determining how and what acreage is developed within it borders.
>
>Whitman County has all but cleared the way for the Hawkins Companies of
>Boise to develop a 600,000-square-foot retail center along the
>Pullman-Moscow corridor. The center would abut the state line and Moscow.
>
>Moscow registered concerns about the effects the development would have on
>the aquifers, wetlands and traffic.
>
>Those concerns and others were addressed through the Washington State
>Environmental Policy Act, an environmental assessment procedure that is one
>of the more stringent in the nation.
>
>Whitman County had no legal obligation to consider Moscow's concerns but 
>did
>so because of Moscow's proximity to the development.
>
>That was the right thing to do.
>
>"Moscow is our very close neighbor," said Whitman County Prosecutor Denis
>Tracy. "We have taken extensive steps to take their concerns into
>consideration. If they have any concerns that are not part of the SEPA
>review the county hopes Moscow will pick up the phone and we can talk about
>their concerns."
>
>Dialogue is a fine way to resolve problems.
>
>Now, Moscow must accept the SEPA conclusion and not drag the issue through
>the court system.
>
>Moscow has every right to determine growth policy within its city limits.
>
>We hope the city can restrain itself in the future if the urge to impose 
>its
>standards elsewhere pops up again.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>
>My concern is not with what facilities are built on Washington's side of 
>the
>line, but what resources are used by those resources.  As has been 
>discussed
>here on Vision 2020, Moscow and Pullman share a common aquifer.  The 
>primary
>concern, in relation to the aquifer and facilities built on either side of
>the state line, is the "right to use" of that aquifer.
>
>As discussed by guests Rocky Barker, environmental reporter (Idaho
>Statesman), State Senator Charles Coiner (R-Twin Falls), and Prof. Barbara
>Cosens, University of Idaho Law School, when "Mary in Moscow" called in on
>Thursday's Idaho Public Television's "Dialogue" program, this decision may
>not be made locally, but by the US Supreme Court.
>
>http://www.tomandrodna.com/Stuff/Dialogue_011107_01.mp3
>
>Thoughts?
>
>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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