[Vision2020] Why I Oppose Selling Moscow's Water

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (February 15, 2008) with thanks to Moscow Councilor tom 
Lamar -

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HIS VIEW: Why I oppose selling Moscow's water
By Tom Lamar

On Feb. 4, I was the only member of the Moscow City Council to vote 
against the mediated settlement between the city and the Hawkins 
Companies, a Boise developer that wants to build a shopping center in 
rural Whitman County just west of Moscow. I owe Moscow residents an 
explanation for my dissenting vote.

I first learned of the settlement the previous Thursday but was unable to 
discuss it with anyone outside the council because of the confidentiality 
agreement. But it was clear to me at first glance that this agreement was 
not in Moscow's long-term best interests. The possible gains were too 
small given the large policy changes that were about to be made with no 
citizen input.

Moscow's appeals of the Washington Department of Ecology's water right 
transfers to Hawkins were about protecting the groundwater resources of 
the Palouse. In approving the settlement, the council majority not only 
dropped the appeals, it created an unprecedented public policy of selling 
water and sewer services across the state line. The city should not make 
such a significant policy move without advance public discussion. This 
reason alone should have stopped consideration of the agreement at the 
Feb. 4 meeting.

In addition, I am not convinced that it is legal for an Idaho city to sell 
water to a private entity in another state. The proponents provided no 
evidence of any benefit to Moscow, other than the small amount of money in 
water fees. We cannot collect taxes from the development, nor can we annex 
it, yet this decision might save Whitman County and/or Hawkins millions of 
dollars in utility development costs. Why should Moscow give up its 
precious resource to benefit another county and a private company?

I have not seen a retail study showing that a retail development of this 
size - 714,000 square feet is needed or justified. If it is, such a 
development should be in Moscow - so our residents can control the 
development to fit our community.

Instead, by subsidizing Hawkins' water and sewer costs, this agreement 
gives the company an opportunity to undercut retail rents next door at the 
Palouse Mall. This decision will subject existing Moscow businesses - many 
of them locally owned - to unfair competition.

Locating a giant shopping center in an unincorporated area is poor 
community planning. It runs contrary to Moscow's comprehensive plan. It 
will likely promote additional sprawl, and increase the costs of services 
that will be required by Whitman County. It will be more difficult for 
Moscow residents to reach via walking, biking or bus than our current 
shopping choices. Moscow residents who work in Pullman likely will face 
longer commute times.

I am also greatly concerned by the amount of water that Moscow has agreed 
to sell: 45 acre feet now (over 14.6 million gallons), plus an additional 
20 acre feet of potable water for irrigation use, until some undetermined 
future date when this water from the aquifer can be replaced with 
reclaimed water. How will this long-term commitment of water affect the 
future ability of Moscow businesses to grow? Or our ability to attract new 
businesses?

Like many legal documents, the settlement agreement declares "time is of 
the essence" but gives no justification for the rush. To me, the needs for 
our residents to understand, digest and support such a large policy shift -
 facilitating a shopping center in another county and state - is more 
important than the impatience of one Boise developer. We were elected to 
serve the people of Moscow, not residents of Whitman County or a private 
developer 300 miles away.

For these reasons when this agreement came to the City Council, I moved to 
delay a decision until we had the opportunity to discuss it publicly. My 
motion died for lack of a second.

What happens next? The Idaho Department of Water Resources will consider a 
request from the city of Moscow to allow the sale of this water. This 
permit process is a public one. I urge residents to send comments to IDWR.

I'd like to thank the many residents who have contacted me since Feb. 4 
thanking me for my opposing vote.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho


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