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

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (January 13, 2007) Moscow-Pullman Daily News -

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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.

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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