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

Sat Jan 13 13:24:06 PST 2007

Maybe it is time that Moscow city council really puts some time and effort 
into the idea of a resevoir or alternate means for water, rather then trying 
to stop all growth except "high tech" idustries.

Matt

>From: Mark Solomon <msolomon at moscow.com>
>To: "Matt Decker" <mattd2107 at hotmail.com>, thansen at moscow.com,        
>vision2020 at moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow's Growth Policies Don't Apply to Whitman 
>(or do they?)
>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 10:46:55 -0800
>
>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
> >>
> >>
> >>=======================================================
> >>  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. http://tv.msn.com/tv/globes2007/?icid=nctagline2
>
>=======================================================
>  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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