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

[david sarff]

Matt et.al

I’m not so sure that it’s a Whitman County vs. City of Moscow fight; It’s a 
constituency struggle.  What we have are some city folks who want to live in 
one kind of surroundings and they are surrounded by a pack of farmers who 
are tired of being pressured and wrestling with economic realities. Looking 
out for themselves, they are using their land a lever to maximize profits as 
they know best, trying to protect their futures.
What I would prefer is that city retain its agricultural foundations and 
integrate them more fully back into the community. Put the farmer square in 
the middle of the community. There are some small signs in town, that this 
is trying to happen.
The ag community needs to break its monoculturalistic thinking and adopt 
sustainability principles.
The Palouse soil is the most valuable natural resource in the area, if we 
don’t work to utilize and enhance this medium, we will all loose.
Don’t pave Paradise.
Dave

>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
> >
> >
> >=======================================================
> >  List services made available by First Step Internet,
> >  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> >                http://www.fsr.net
> >           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> >=======================================================
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>The MSN Entertainment Guide to Golden Globes is here.  Get all the scoop.
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>
>=======================================================
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>=======================================================

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