[Vision2020] Strip Mining on Flannigan Creek Road

[bubba jones]

Don,
Man, those Christ Churcher's are everywhere.  First they take over downtown. 
  Now, strip mining Flannigan Creek.  Will the insanity never stop?

B. Jones.

>From: "Don Lazzarini" <dlazz@sub.uidaho.edu>
>To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] Strip Mining on Flannigan Creek Road
>Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 12:20:28 -0800
>
>Visionaries,
>
>I find myself in the unenviable position of trying to defend my home and
>its quiet solitude from an application for a CUP (conditional use
>permit) to create a gravel mining and crushing operation on the hill
>across from my residence located approx 4 miles south of Highway 6 on
>Flannigan Creek Road.
>
>The current process allows the applicant as much time as they desire to
>gather as much information as they need (evidence exists the applicant
>began their work on the project over a year ago). After they gather what
>they believe they need, including allies within the Highway District
>they pay a permit application fee which brings the issue before the
>Planning and Zoning Commission. Those of us who live next to the
>proposed blast zone are notified of a hearing date a few weeks in
>advance of the hearing. Working full time and trying to become
>knowledgeable enough in Strip Mining, County Policy and Procedures and
>how to defend property and family against such an unwelcome industrial
>intrusion in such a short period of time is not unlike playing cards
>against a stacked deck. It is even more difficult to gather hard
>evidence of various aspects of such mining operations due to snow and
>other weather variables predictable this time of the year. The County
>does not have a history of denying strip mining permits or in seeing
>their role as advocates for people whose lives will be impacted by their
>allowing the applicant to get a Conditional Use Permit.
>
>The Planning and Zoning Commission made a finding of fact that the
>proposed project will negatively impact our property value. They
>believed they mitigated the process by time limiting the crushing
>operation to 6 years. In effect, they have dictated the length of time I
>must remain in my residence next to a industrial mining operation that
>creates a noise level 6X as loud as the natural level of sound found in
>the little valley. I don't share their view.
>
>I have been told that most of Latah County sits on basalt (the material
>that is to be strip mined). What this means is that most houses in this
>county sit on or near this material so in theory are at risk. The only
>process that currently exists to protect homeowners from a strip mine
>going in next to their house is the Conditional Use Permit process and
>the County Commissioners application of existing rules and guidelines.
>What I have observed so far does not encourage me to believe this
>process has functioned to protect most home and property owners. Imagine
>you or someone you care about being thrust into the position of having
>their dream home turned into an undesirable and uncomfortable home by
>the economic draw of a rock crushing operation. The application was
>approved by the Planning and Zoning commission with some conditions.
>There will be a second hearing before the County Commissioners on Feb
>11, 2004 at 3:00 pm.
>
>I am hoping to interest others in joining me in trying to stop both this
>application and to encourage the County Commissioners to use their
>considerable power and influence to engage in a proactive planning
>operation to find and set aside suitable land for such mining operations
>away from existing residences. Through zoning and cooperative projects
>it would be possible to protect existing family structures and future
>dream homes from suddenly being devalued by the Highway Districts desire
>for another and closer gravel pit. With operations as damaging as these
>it is better to work out a long term solution that protects the harmony
>and goodwill of the people of a community, so they may rely on the
>quality of life that choosing certain home sites and areas can be
>reasonably expected to bring.
>
>Any knowledge, expertise or solid advice would be sincerely appreciated.
>
>
>Don Lazzarini
>dlazz@uidaho.edu
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Let the new MSN Premium Internet Software make the most of your high-speed 
experience. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=byoa/prem&ST=1