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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It was suggested to the city back in about 2000 or 2001 that the
treated effluent pipeline used to water fields at UI be extended eastward to
water selected greenspaces along the Paradise Creek bike path/linear park and
on to the cemetery (and possibly on north to the Joseph Street playfields,
etc.). I know because I (and several others) made the request to then-City
Engineer <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Gary</st1:City></st1:place>
Presol. When Sweet Avenue was re-done, an effluent pipeline was installed as
far east as Hwy 95 South because the cost of this kind of project is small when
a trench is open anyway, but expensive when streets, etc, have to be torn up to
do it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The City also commissioned a study (surprise!) regarding further
extension of this line which was done by Kimball Engineering. They determined
that the project was “too expensive” meaning the pay-back period
based on the price of water at that time was too long. But the study really
only compared the cost of the project in terms of current dollars and not in
terms of longevity of our aquifers and the value of drinking water in the
future. The cemetery does have a shallow well, but it is no longer functional
which adds to the rationale that an irrigation pipeline could be feasible.
However, depletion of our aquifers and violations of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place> state law regarding mining of our
ground water remain big concerns. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Since the city is expanding to the east, perhaps Dan C’s
suggestion of a wastewater treatment plant on the east side of town makes sense
for the future. We all must face the fact the our resources are more limited
than our demands on them, so reuse will become increasingly important (and
cost-effective!) in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I walk/run/bike through the cemetery frequently and enjoy its tranquil,
calming qualities. The trees are well-established and should require only
periodic watering during the driest time of the year for maintenance. As to
the verdant nature of the grasses already established, they are lush and green
in spring and early summer and should be allowed to go dormant during the
hottest, driest time of the year. Please remember brown grasses are dormant,
not dead. Often, with fall rains, grasses green up once again late in the
year. This represents the cycle of life—and, after all, isn’t that
part of what we should be reflecting on when we visit the cemetery?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I appreciate Melynda’s desire for a verdant space and believe
that even without supplemental irrigation the older part of the cemetery would
be pleasant any time of year. But I tend toward Bill London’s point of
view—after all, I would rather precious drinking water be available for
those who come after us, than for those who, hopefully, had their thirst fully
quenched while here before us.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Dianne French<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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