[Vision2020] Palouse Water Resouces: Was (no subject)

[Ted Moffett]

As far as I have determined, the amount of water that can be extracted from
the aquifers serving the Palouse before shortages become a major problem, is
not well known.  The recharge rate is debatable.  More scientific study of
this issue is required.  If someone knows of more recent definitive
scientific information on this issue, perhaps they can post it.

Making short term profit facilitating depletion of a critical resource via
supplying it to out of state developments is desirable to some.  What is
needed is regional management based on science based knowledge of
maintaining long term viability of the aquifers.  A patchwork of differing
laws and regulations in different states, counties and cities may not
address the environmental reality of where water comes from and how the
resource is distributed by natural processes.  The argument repeated over
and over that Whitman County will use the water anyway, so Moscow may as
well make a profit off selling it, even if it does deplete the
aquifer, ignores potential long term economic and environmental problems for
both Whitman and Latah Counties.

I know nothing about the law in regards to enforcing regional management of
aquifers.  But I am reminded of the cooperative efforts in fish management
in international waters, to prevent long term depletion of fish, which hurts
all nations involved in fishing.  If the Palouse aquifers become critically
depleted, both Latah and Whitman Counties may lose.

Ted Moffett

On 3/10/09, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>
> I invite everybody to browse, read, view, and/or download the wide-ranging
> videos, resordings, and documents available at:
>
> The Palouse Basin Water Summit 2008 (October 7, 2008)
>
> http://www.moscowcares.com/PBWS2008
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Join us at The First Annual Intolerista Wingding, April 17th, featuring
> Roy Zimmerman and Jeanne McHale.  For details go to . . .
>
> http://www.MoscowCares.com/Wingding
>
> Seeya there.
> ---------------------------------------------
>
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