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

Sat Jan 13 10:46:55 PST 2007

I'll refrain from commenting on issues other than water supply to the 
Hawkins proposed development as they are not my focus of concern, but 
as regards the Whitman County determination of non-significance re 
environmental matters, Whitman County specifically did not make a 
finding on water supply leaving that to the WA DOE if/when Hawkins 
applies for a water right.

There is a factual matter regarding additional water withdrawals from 
the upper Wanapum aquifer at this site that is of concern to the 
Idaho side of the line and not to the WA side: the Wanapum aquifer 
that underlies this site currently provides 30% of the City of 
Moscow's water supply. The same rocks are essentially dry further 
west providing little water to Whitman county residents or 
businesses. This is believed due to the thinning out of the sediments 
of the Latah and Vantage formations in the vicinity of the state line 
combined with a dipping to the east of the Wanapum that begins in the 
same area. Contact with the sediments is believed to be the recharge 
mechanism although the specific areas of recharge are still to be 
determined. An additional large well at the Hawkins site will 
directly effect Moscow, but not Whitman.

This very significant issue will be heard fully at the DOE hearing 
if/when Hawkins finds a suitable water right to purchase and applies 
to transfer it to their site. They've been looking for one for over a 
year now and have still not found one.

There is no environmental green light for Hawkins. It's still solid red.

Mark Solomon

At 8:04 AM -0800 1/13/07, Matt Decker wrote:
>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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>
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