> There are 4 things that will prevent such tragedies in the future:
>
[...]
>
> 2) A planning deptartment with some spine to stand up
^^^^^^^^^^
I talked with Dale Pernula today and he informed me that it was
the Moscow Planning Dept. that contacted the EPA to investigate
the development on Hwy 95 south. The planning department is
pursuing various enforcement options. By all indications, the
dept. does have "spine" (though no legal mechanism to protect
the land).
My language about the planning department was unneccessarily
strident and I do apologize for my rhetoric that tended to
muddy, rather than clarify the issue. My zeal to protect
people and landscapes tends to overwhelm me at times. That's not
an excuse but just recognition of a personal weakness that I need
to work on.
My main point is that Moscow needs an environmental impact
ordinance. Five years ago, I had a conversation with Linda
Pall about getting such an ordinance for Moscow. Now she is in
office and we are no closer to protecting our community through
such an ordinance. Why does it take a crisis to wake a
community up?
Several years ago, I expressed my deep concern about the
suitability of the Hwy 95 site for development. It was a
disaster waiting to happen. When the Council voted to
rezone from Motor Business to Multi-family resdidential,
I knew there would be trouble unless the City got lucky
and found an unusual developer who was willing to work
within the constraints of the landscape, rather than trying
to make the most money.
As the City continues to push outward, most developments
are going to be in sensitive areas (especially wetlands).
Without the requirement of an impact ordinance, the good-ole
boy system will continue and the episode on Hwy 95 will be
repeated again and again.
An erosion ordinance is *not* enough. That is but
one component of the negative impacts of development. The
ordinance needs to address the cumulative impacts
associated with development (traffic, education, noise,
erosion, wildlife, etc. etc.).
I would be willing to research and write such an ordinance.
There are many to choose from. But then, that is not the problem.
The problem is one of power and political will.
-- Greg Brown (gregb@uidaho.edu) Assistant Professor, Dept. of Forestry, Southern Illinois University Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Forestry,Wildlife,& Range Sciences University of Idaho