On Wed, 13 Dec 1995, Greg
Brown wrote:
>
>
> Two weeks ago, I posted a message describing the crime that was
> being committed in the construction of a Hwy 95 subdivision (across from
> John Deere dealership). At that time, I stated it was a crime against
> nature and I personally mourned the massive destruction of the Palouse
> in this manner. Tonight's Daily News story (thanks Greg Burton) reports
> that this subdivision may indeed be a violation of law as well, stating
> that the EPA is investigating the construction company for violations
> of the Clean Water Act as mountains of mud from cut-and-fill activity
> flow down onto Hwy 95 and into neighboring streams and rivers.
>
> Readers on green-talk are acutely aware of the tragedy of the
> Clearwater forest and the excesses of road-building that have come
> to light in the last 2 weeks. There is no need to venture into the
> woods to find massive, anthropogenic destruction of landscapes.
> It is happening right under our noses with the full blessing of
> the Moscow City Council and the Planning Dept. Go look. See what
> happens with massive road building on unstable soils.
>
> So who is responsible and where does the buck stop? In my last
> posting, I said we are all responsible for the destruction of our
> landscapes. The people of Moscow put the Boys Annexation and
> Development (BAD) Council into office. Indirectly, the people
> of Moscow are responsible for the destruction of the Palouse
> south of town.
>
> There are 4 things that will prevent such tragedies in the future:
>
> 1) Politcal candidates who do not represent development
> interests.
>
> 2) A planning deptartment with some spine to stand up
> to abusive development practices.
>
> 3) An impact review ordinance requiring developments to undergo a formal
> environmental review. (This is perhaps most important as there are
> absolutely no protections to prevent such abuses, or even to learn
> of such potential abuses.)
>
> 4) A vigilant citizenry.
>
>
> As the din of special interests crescendos in the West calling
> for local control in land use planning, visit the destruction on
> Hwy 95 south and ponder the following questions, "Why did the EPA
> have to get involved? What happened to the local government who is
> supposed to be familiar with local land uses? Who is watching the
> watchers?"
>
>
> --
> Greg Brown (gregb@uidaho.edu)
> Computer Services
> Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Forestry,Wildlife,& Range Sciences
> University of Idaho
> Moscow, ID 83843 (208) 885-2126 Fax: (208) 885-7539
>
>