On Thu, 14 Dec 1995, Michael P Murray wrote:
>
> I agree with Greg's concerns regarding mass erosion in Moscow. However,
> the comparison with the slides occuring on the Clearwater I think are
> weak at best.
>
> Mass failures of mountain sides are affecting native ecosystems.
>
> Road failures in Moscow, as described, are inconveniencing humans
> mostly. The landscape Greg refers to is an exotic one. Idaho Fescue and
> Squirrel-tail have been replaced by winter wheat. If erosion has
> deleterious affects on the production of this wheat, or displaces other
> exotic highway-shoulder-inhabiting flora, I shed not a tear. As an
> ecocentric, I just don`t give a shit to the degeneration of a landscape
> which was lost long ago.
>
> OK, hit me with your stick.
>
> *Michael Murray*
>
> /^\__/^\
> A / #### ##\
> /#\ ############
> /###\ ################
> /###\ ####################
> /###\ ##### Moscow, Idaho ####
> /###\ #### murra921@uidaho.edu ###
> __________#__________
>
> 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
> >
> >
>