"We called them 'chicken'"

As you know, outspoken liberal Lewiston Tribune columnist and apparent Pullman/Whitman County hater Jim Fisher, has been bashing the Hawkins development and the Whitman County Commissioners. The latest subject of his ire, in a column last Sunday, was the WSU golf course. Fisher implied there should be some sort of linkage between the golf course and the Hawkins development:

Next for Palouse water talks: WSU golf course

Now that a reconfigured Moscow City Council has demonstrated its willingness to cooperate with other Palouse governments on water use, it is in a position to seek reciprocity on one of the least defensible projects to threaten the region's underground water sources.

That project is the new 18-hole golf course that Washington State University is building, and watering, before the water reclamation system intended to keep it green is even begun. The school projects it will pour 60 million gallons of water on the course each year, and until the system that is years off goes on line, each of those gallons will come from the aquifers whose sustainability is in question.

The school's rush to complete the course without a wastewater irrigation system like the one the University of Idaho uses has raised objections from more than local water watchdogs. It even became an issue in the election that seated new Moscow City Councilors Wayne Krauss, Dan Carscallen and Walter Steed.

All three ran in opposition to the former council's reluctance to approve substantial increases in water consumption.

During the contested election, Krauss told people attending a candidate forum he objected to "the idea for us to try to save water here in Moscow so it can be used downstream." And a newspaper advertisement for the three candidates said, "In Pullman they're developing a new golf course. In Moscow we've raised water rates to cut consumption."

The promise to help end such a disparity no doubt helped elect the three challengers. And the other day, all three helped reverse Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney's objection to providing water to a new shopping mall on the Washington side of the state line along the Pullman-Moscow traffic corridor.

None of the three has claimed the Palouse sits on an infinite supply of water, however. And their willingness to negotiate a water agreement with Whitman County for the mall for which county commissioners have obligated taxpayers to the tune of $9.1 million in bonds gives them the right, and the credibility, to seek discussion of other water issues in the region.

The first of those issues should be WSU's rush to waste water.

I could rebut Fisher's arguments, but Idaho Rep. Bob Nonini (R- Coeur d'Alene), another target of Fisher's temper tantrums, did it best in a "Turnabout" column from Tuesday's Tribune:

Turnabout: Cheap shots, no warning

As some of my colleagues tell me, if the editorial writers at the Lewiston Tribune are criticizing you then you must be doing something right.

Well, I must be doing something right. In the last couple of weeks, I've been branded as being anti-education, and more recently the Tribune editors lend the impression that I'm leading a one-man crusade to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The criticism doesn't bother me. Anyone who serves in this body, or in any other elected office, is subject to criticism. What is troubling is the methods employed by the editorial writers.

I don't know Jim Fisher or Tom Henderson, and they don't know me. All I know about them is when I pick up the Tribune and occasionally read editorials taking me to task. Again, I don't mind the criticism. I'm only disputing the antiquated method.

Mr. Fisher and Mr. Henderson are living examples of why newspapers are dying, and why newspapers are losing credibility. They read what somebody else writes, dish up a few cheap shots and present them as "cutting-edge" editorials. The tactics might have worked during the 1960s or 1970s, when Bill Hall was writing editorials. But the method strikes me as outdated by today's standards.

During Bill Hall's day, when the only practical way to contact someone was by telephone, contacting an individual was not always possible. But in 2008, when e-mails are used at least as much as telephones, there's no excuse for not making that effort.

It's my understanding that some of the nation's leading newspapers, including the Washington Post, have a policy to make every effort to contact an individual before criticizing him in print - if for no other reason than to give that person a heads-up. A conversation with a source may or may not change the direction of an editorial, but giving a fair warning shows that a newspaper has professional standards and a degree of class.

I'm sure that nothing I said will make a difference, so Mr. Fisher and Mr. Henderson can criticize me all they want. That's OK. I was born and raised in Wallace and put up with a lot worse than that in the school yards.

But in Wallace, we had a name for people who said or did something without first confronting you.

We called them "chicken."

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Invade 'Em

A post from the Vision 2020 message board:

Hello, Visionaires:

Please excuse what may seem extraordinary naïveté in asking this. Why could not the City of Moscow, in cooperation with State of Idaho, purchase the Hawkins site from the State of Washington, and therewith adjust the boundary line between the two states? Yes, the closing paperwork for such a transaction would be somewhat more extensive in that it would involve two states, and I presume federal, approval, but aside from the extra levels of paperwork, and the subconscious idea that "you just can't buy part of another state", I don't understand why, with effort and cooperation, this advanced real estate transaction could not be done to the benefit of all parties involved.

(As an aside, I understand that Latah County was created by an act of Congress, so there is some precedent for them revisiting the boundary.)

Didn't the idea of "we don't like what they are doing in that state so let's impose our will upon them" become passe' around 1861-1865? How would this be beneficial to Whitman County? Or the state of Washington for that matter? The state stands to collect approximately 3 times as much sales tax from the Hawkins development as the county, somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 million a year.

Remember, hemp is for wearing, not smoking.

My buddy Jeff Harkins, as always, has a great response:

Interesting idea, but the economics favor a purchase of Moscow by Washington. Maybe you could spearhead that project. Pullman has industry, a PAC10 University, an airport, a new four lane highway and a desire to expand their opportunities for prosperity.

Heh.

Perception Becomes Reality

The Perception:

With the denial of a rezone that would have brought a Wal-Mart Supercenter to Moscow and the institution of the Large Retail Establishment Ordinance — aka the big-box ordinance — in February, some people say there is a perception Moscow isn’t welcome to new business, or is too selective on what it allows.

Some are concerned that Moscow will lose its status as “retail base of the Palouse” to Whitman County, while others say they are just trying to protect the Moscow they know and love.

- "Chilly climate for commerce?", Moscow-Pullman Daily News, December 19, 2006

The Reality:

From last Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Home Depot puts brakes on Moscow store

The Home Depot won't be locating in Moscow anytime soon.

The national home-improvement and garden retail outlet had been working toward an agreement to build a store behind the Palouse Mall in Moscow, but corporate officials have decided to take a step back, said Gerard Billington, real estate officer for the University of Idaho.

"We had been working with Home Depot vigorously and we thought we had an agreement, but they declined," Billington said. "They didn't think the deal worked out for them.

"They were crunching numbers, looking at site numbers, site prep costs, land costs, development costs and potential revenue from sales in smaller markets."

The University of Idaho owns the 600-acre piece of land where Home Depot was looking to build, and any deal between the UI and Home Depot would have been a ground lease.

Billington said as far as he knows, the fact that Lowe's - a national home improvement store planning to locate in a proposed retail development in Whitman County - could be coming to the area had nothing to do with Home Depot's hesitation.

"I'm sure Lowe's would impact a future Home Depot and Home Depot would impact a future Lowe's, but I don't know that it was a decision point," he said.

UI officials have had a couple conversations with Home Depot since last fall in an attempt to work out an agreement, but no commitment has been made.

"They wanted to take another look at the agreement," Billington said.

He said he hasn't heard anything from Home Depot since the UI's last conversation with company officials in December.

"Home Depot continues to review and monitor the market and trade area for a site that will work for us and serve the community well," Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher said. "To date, an economical solution has not been found. However, we are constantly turning over new ideas, leads and solutions."

"Hawkins decision was best for all"

I've never met Art Schultheis, but I'd like to. He has quite the way with words.

From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

First of all I would like to congratulate the new City Council in Moscow for accepting the mediated settlement with the Hawkins Companies. Finally, sound minds understood that the Hawkins development was going to move forward, whether the city of Moscow continued to fight it or not. I think the council made the only decision it could, stop spending money on lawsuits and attorneys, and help the process along. I think it realized that getting something out of the deal (water and sewer revenue) is a lot better than nothing.

I was unable to attend the Moscow council meeting, due to another meeting, but I was able to watch it live on the Internet when I got home. When I tuned into the meeting they were in the middle of a public hearing on a new subdivision development that is being proposed within the city limits of Moscow. For 1 1/2 hours, I listened to testimony regarding the new development. Arguments were presented regarding building heights, view sheds of existing homes, increased traffic, and safety concerns for children and pedestrians. Not once while I was watching during the public hearing was it brought up about what effect the new homes would have on the aquifer the city of Moscow draws from.

Once the discussion of the Hawkins water rights settlement began, environmentalists came out of the woodwork to complain about what these new businesses would do to their precious aquifer. I find it ironic that only businesses that will provide jobs and might make a profit will cause irreversible damage to the water table.

If you want to stop economic growth in the city of Moscow, that is your decision. Just keep your attitudes and lawsuits out of Whitman County and the state of Washington.

Art Schultheis, Colton

Amen, Art.

"Moscow helps clear way for Hawkins development"

Gazette publisher Gordon Forgey is as pleased as I am about Moscow's decision to drop its appeals of the Hawkins water rights transfers.

From yesterday's Whitman County Gazette:

Moscow, Idaho, has water!

After undue delays and undue expense, it turns out that there is enough water on the Palouse to support a commercial development on the Pullman/Moscow corridor in Whitman County.

In fact, the water that the development will use will come directly from Moscow, piped in across the state line into Whitman County.

The development, which is being created by Hawkins Company, has been on the drawing boards for a couple of years. One of the delays in advancing the project has been the refusal of the city of Moscow to recognize the availability of water for such a project despite unbridled growth on its side of the border.

Several Whitman County water rights were transferred to get the project underway. Moscow, especially its mayor, protested the transfers and appealed them, citing the lack of water on the Palouse and the destructive nature of the development.

It was all about the environment, said the mayor.

Then, some new members of the city council were sworn in. Suddenly, Moscow not only drops the appeal on the transfers but also offers to sell some of its water for the development.

This is a major turn around and clears the way not only for the development but also some mature dealings with Moscow.

Whitman County and Moscow are neighbors and now they may be able to deal with one another as such. They share many of the same problems. Their futures are intertwined.

It is a great step forward that Moscow has removed its roadblocks from the Hawkins projects. Moscow and Whitman County may now be able to work cooperatively in each other’s best interest.

"Moscow rescinds appeals, agrees to sell water to Hawkins"

From yesterday's Whitman County Gazette:

The blowing winds of politics have cleared the way for development of a state line strip mall.

The Moscow City Council voted 5-1 Monday night to sell water to Boise-based Hawkins Companies shopping center site just west of the Idaho state line.

“We’re very happy at how this worked out, and are ready to build a shopping center,” said Hawkins Spokesman Jeff DeVoe.

The Moscow city council took on a new look after last fall’s election, when three pro-business candidates were elected to the board.

The settlement agreement was put together during nearly 22 hours of mediation between Moscow, Hawkins, Colton and the state Department of Ecology last week in Spokane.

As part of the agreement, the city will also drop its appeal of the transfer of three water rights to the development site.

Whitman County officials were delighted upon hearing news of the agreement Tuesday morning.

“It just gets better from here,” said Commissioner Michael Largent. “I’ve got to applaud their council at this point for realizing this is in Moscow’s best interest.”

By providing water to the development, Largent noted, the city could add to its water and sewer funds. He added the development adjacent to Moscow would draw more shoppers to the city’s west end retail stores.

“This was going to go in, anyhow,” said Commissioner Jerry Finch. “I guess they just realized it’s better to get something out of it than to continue to fight it and get nothing.”

In October, Moscow appealed Ecology’s decision to approve the transfer of three water rights to service the shopping center. A fourth transfer was denied by Ecology and appealed by Hawkins.

The accord ensured the town of Colton would get its right to draw 100 acre-feet of water from Union Flat Creek.

Hawkins acquired that right from the Maleys at LaCrosse, but could not apply that water to the shopping center, as it is nowhere near Union Flat Creek.

The creek enters Washington from Idaho near Uniontown, and flows through Colton before heading west to the Palouse River at the Adams County line.

Colton was in the process of acquiring a 22 acre-feet right from the McKiernan Bros. of Pullman when Hawkins approached the town about a swap.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hawkins must relinquish the approved water rights, and drop its appeal of the overturned water right.

Those water rights will now be owned by the state.

If the Idaho Department of Water Resources approves the city’s plan to provide water across the state line, Moscow will provide up to 45 acre-feet of water for use inside the stores in the development. One acre-foot is equivalent to 325,851 gallons of water.

Another 20 acre-feet will be provided for irrigation purposes, and the city will provide approximately 2,500 to 3,000 gallons per minute for fire flow.

Hawkins will be charged Moscow’s standard fees for water and sewer service.

Hawkins is on the hook for extending pipes from the city to the development. The company will be reimbursed for those costs by the county. The county will then own and be responsible for those pipes.

Commissioners Monday announced they would issue up to $9.1 million in bonds to buy the public infrastructure from Hawkins.

“We agreed to our worst-case scenario,” said Largent. “The price can only drop from here.”

Moscow’s provision of water cuts more than $4 million from the projected costs of installing infrastructure at the site.

The county estimated a sewage treatment facility would cost $2 million, installing wells and pumping structures would cost $900,000, and building a water tank to store fire flow would cost $1.5 million.

"Hawkins's development closed-door dealings under scrutiny; Moscow council members maintain their decision was in city's best interest"

Ah, right out of the ol' liberal playbook. You lose an election, you bitch about the people that won for the next few years and constantly demand they be removed from office.

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Moscow's newest City Council members have spent the last several days defending their decision to sell water to a development firm that wants to build just across the state line in Whitman County.

Some residents are so unhappy they're considering a recall.

Dan Carscallen, Wayne Krauss and Walter Steed voted Monday along with Bill Lambert and John Weber to approve a settlement that offers Boise-based Hawkins Companies 45 acre-feet of potable water and 20 acre-feet of irrigation water on an annual basis for use at its proposed 700,000-square-foot retail development just west of Moscow. The Idaho Department of Water Resources must approve the offer before it is official.

The settlement was drafted after two days of mediation last week in Spokane.

Hawkins has about three months to decide whether to purchase wastewater treatment services from Moscow. The settlement also means the city will drop its appeal of water-rights transfers granted to Hawkins, which in turn will relinquish 45 acre-feet of water rights when it has access to Moscow water.

Confidentiality

Moscow resident Bill French, a member of the Palouse Water Conservation Network, said he and others have considered calling for a recall of the council members who voted for the settlement.

A recall is worth considering because "five of our six council members, at least in my opinion, betrayed the public trust by conducting this closed-door negotiation and settlement," he said.

Moscow's representatives at the mediation - Steed, Krauss, Mayor Nancy Chaney and Public Works Director Les MacDonald - agreed to keep the proceedings confidential, as demanded by the mediator. The council had to vote on the settlement without disclosing its content to the public.

Krauss said the confidentiality was necessary because the information discussed in mediation couldn't have been used in later litigation if no settlement was reached.

French said Moscow's representatives should have walked out rather than sign the confidentiality agreement.

"I think it was very imprudent for the council to enter negotiations and make a decision before the public had any opportunity to weigh in on what they were thinking," he said.

Dennis Baird, owner of the Wine Company of Moscow, agrees.

"They could have said, 'I'm sorry, we're not going to do that,' " Baird said. "If the mediator didn't like that, then they could have gotten another mediator."

French said Moscow should have continued with its water rights appeal.

"I'm not of the opinion that (the appeal) was destined to fail," he said. "At the very least it might have delayed Hawkins long enough to change the whole situation."

Krauss and Steed said they decided it was best to go ahead with the mediation.

"I went up there to reach a settlement to conclude the Hawkins situation," Steed said.

Krauss said city representatives had two other options: They could have proceeded with costly litigation on the appeal, or dropped the appeal altogether, but "that would have allowed a private entity to pump from the same aquifer we do without any public entity to monitor them on a regular basis."

Chaney said she was not surprised that the mediation session was kept confidential. To disclose things in a legal dispute would be counterproductive to Moscow's interests.

However, Chaney said the council could have proceeded differently after mediation concluded.

She said the council could have declined the settlement and opened discussion to the public. They could have discussed the elements in the settlement without disclosing the agreement itself, and returned to mediation later if the other entities were open to it.

Control issues

Carscallen, Krauss and Steed said Whitman County was going to help Hawkins move forward one way or another. Moscow had the opportunity to get as much as it could out of the deal.

"We didn't do this to sell out Moscow or to harm or to help Hawkins," Steed said. "We saw an inevitable development that we felt that we could to some degree control, to some degree reduce the amount of water (it used) that we all draw from and to make some money for the city."

The councilmen said the settlement ultimately reduces the net effect on the Grand Ronde aquifer, compared to the water Hawkins would pull if all its water rights were approved and Moscow was not involved.

Chaney said the settlement means "the Hawkins group will end up with more water than was otherwise authorized."

Hawkins had only secured rights to 45 acre-feet, but the settlement guarantees 65 acre-feet.

Chaney said she also dislikes the portion of the settlement in which Moscow agrees not to protest, directly or indirectly, "any permits or governmental approvals" sought by Hawkins for the project. The city can protest "based on public safety or nuisance."

The project was "too ill-defined" for such an agreement, Chaney said.

She also is concerned that the city does not control utility-related issues at Hawkins it would control within city limits. For example, Moscow can't regulate how much grease a restaurant in the development can release into the wastewater system.

Economic issues

Steed said people who shop at the Hawkins development may continue across the border and spend money in Moscow. Shoppers who don't find what they want at Hawkins could come to a similar store in Moscow.

"It's Marketing 101 - you put in a Burger King across the street from a McDonald's," Steed said.

Baird said Hawkins is more likely to hurt Moscow businesses. Because Hawkins will benefit from city infrastructure, which businesses help pay for, the council is forcing business owners to "pay for their own death."

Rate issues

French said he is concerned the agreement doesn't specify what Hawkins will have to pay for water or wastewater treatment.

"We should be making sure we're getting as high a rate as we can from them for providing that service," he said.

Carscallen said city representatives did not set a specific rate because they do not know what Moscow's water rates will be when the development is built.

The settlement states that Moscow "shall be fair and reasonable and consistent with rates and charges set for similarly situated customers of the city."

Steed said this does not mean that Hawkins will pay the same as a business within Moscow city limits.

Krauss said there are no "similarly situated" businesses, so the city will have to create a new rate for businesses across the state line.

The current rate for businesses outside the city limits is twice that of businesses in town, Krauss said. The rate for Hawkins could be as much as three times the in-town rate.

"We will work out a fair rate for them based on who and what they are," Krauss said.

The councilmen said the city also could save money if Hawkins decides to help pay for upgrades to Moscow's wastewater treatment plant in order to speed the availability of treated wastewater for irrigation.

What's next?

French said people who are unhappy with the settlement should speak out when the Idaho Department of Water Resources evaluates the sale.

"We need to see if there is any way to prevent this agreement from being followed through," he said.

Chaney said the settlement could bring positives.

It could encourage the Washington State Department of Ecology and Idaho Department of Water Resources to manage the Palouse Basin as a common watershed, she said. Any well drilled by Hawkins prior to hooking into Moscow's water could later be used as a test well for the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee to assess aquifer levels.

"I think we are all coming at this from the perspective of wanting to do what we think will be beneficial to water in the Palouse Basin," she said. "We may not agree on what that is but ... we will make the best out of whatever the outcome is."

Nancy Regina Delenda Est

Doc Holliday: In vino veritas.
Johnny Ringo: Age quod agis.
Doc Holliday: Credat Judaeus apella, non ego.
Johnny Ringo: Eventus stultorum magister.
Doc Holliday: In pace requiescat.
Tombstone Marshal Fred White: Come on boys. We don't want any trouble in here. Not in any language.
Doc Holliday: That's Latin darlin'. Evidently Mr. Ringo's an educated man. Now I really hate him.

Tombstone, 1993

April noticed something very interesting on above Queen Nancy's signature on the City of Moscow's settlement agreement with the Hawkins Companies:

Chaney wrote the Latin phrase Cedo voluntati huius consilii above her signature. This translates to "Yielding to the will of this council." Legal requirement or secret dig at the Moscow City Council?

"Moscow council takes heat over Hawkins vote; Councilors voted 5-1 to provide water and sewer to developer; some question closed-door talks"

The Moscow City Councilman shouldn't sweat the "heat" very much. People like Bill French and Betsy Dickow are the usual suspects who are always against everything. That crowd had their shot at the polls last November and lost big time.

From today's Lewiston Tribune:

MOSCOW - Members of the Moscow City Council voted 5-1 late Monday night to provide water and sewer services across the state line to the proposed Hawkins Companies shopping center.

Members also agreed to drop the city's appeal against Hawkins' attempts to secure its own water rights to drill wells.

The action, taken shortly before midnight, stems from an agreement hammered out last week during 22 hours of closed-door mediation in Spokane. The agreement calls for the city to provide a total of 65 acre-feet of water annually to the development in Whitman County.

Mayor Nancy Chaney, who initiated and signed the earlier appeals, said after the vote that she would have given thumbs-down to the agreement if a tie had resulted between the six councilors. [Like that was going to happen - tf] But councilors Bill Lambert, John Weber, Wayne Krauss, Walter Steed and Dan Carscallen approved the measure, while Councilor Tom Lamar voted against it.

The entire council took a verbal lashing from several citizens who voiced their displeasure with the behind-doors negotiations that led to an agreement that they feared could change the area economy and threaten groundwater resources.

"By conducting our business in secret, you are taking away our government," said Bill French of Moscow, a self-described water watchdog on the Palouse. "And far beyond whatever you're poised to decide about our water resources, the damage to our government by this action I think is the real issue."

Betsy Dickow of Moscow echoed those sentiments. "I'm disappointed that the council would agree to consider something in confidentiality. I'm concerned that the city is willing to do things in secret. It concerns me greatly and I don't think it brings the confidence of the populace."

Steed responded that the confidentiality and secret nature of the mediation process was thrust upon the city. "We didn't ask for it," he said, explaining that he and other newly elected council members inherited an existing legal action. "We didn't start it. We didn't have anything to do with it. But we were handed it as new council members."

The water appeals came last year after members of the old city council and Chaney met in executive session. No vote was taken in the session, but Chaney came out of it with enough approval, apparently, to exercise her executive authority to file the appeals.

"The objective was not secrecy," Chaney told the Lewiston Tribune after the meeting. "I don't think there was any effort by any of the council members previous or present to keep the public in the dark." [Riiiight - tf]

By law, the council can meet in executive session to discuss legal matters. Whether city-initiated legal actions can or should stem from those talks, especially with no prior public discussion, seems to be the area of concern for citizens.

"We sought legal advice in this and it was advised to handle it in this manner," Chaney said. "It was not any effort to usurp the public process."

Chaney reiterated that the appeals were filed because of concerns for groundwater, not to stop economic development.

But Whitman County officials have said Moscow's leap into the legal arena across a state line had the potential effect of stopping retail development in the Moscow-Pullman corridor. The Whitman County commissioners earlier Monday, in fact, agreed to issue bonds in the amount of $9.1 million to help Hawkins get infrastructure, including water and sewer services, to the construction site.

"It's like voting for something and holding your nose while you're doing it," Lambert said. "That's what I'm doing here in this process. At least we're getting some type of control factor out of this." He warned that if Hawkins continued to move ahead and drill its own well, Moscow would have no control whatsoever. "At least we've got the right to determine how much water we can give them."

According to the agreement, Moscow will provide 45 acre-feet of water annually to the 14,000-square-foot shopping center for indoor use.

Another 20 acre-feet annually will be provided for irrigation. In addition, the agreement allows for 2,500 to 3,000 gallons per minute to be available for fire protection. Hawkins would become a water utility customer of the city.

The agreement also allows for Hawkins to receive sanitary sewer treatment service from Moscow. Water and sewer rates for the shopping center, according to the agreement, will be made according to the city's regular fee schedule.

The agreement also bars the city from protesting or appealing any construction permits sought by Hawkins for the project. Hawkins, according to the agreement, will not challenge the city's plans to drill a new well near the shopping center site.

Lamar said he could not, in good conscience, vote in favor of the agreement. In addition to groundwater concerns, Lamar has maintained since being appointed to the council last year that he's against retail development in the corridor. He wants the eight-mile stretch to remain a transportation corridor only between the two university communities.

"I'm concerned about this proposal and I don't see clearly that this will benefit the residents of Moscow," Lamar said. "It makes me uncomfortable to not even be able to discuss the details of it with the public before making a decision."

While concerns continue to be voiced on the Idaho side of the border, officials in Whitman County keep touting the Hawkins shopping center as the beginning of retail development throughout the corridor that will provide shopping for consumers and tax dollars for government.

Hawkins spokespeople have said they plan to begin construction this year. The proposal calls for a Lowe's home improvement center to anchor the development, with room for at least two additional big-box stores.

"Hawkins to tap into Moscow's water; City to sell services to development company looking to build retail center in Pullman-Moscow corridor"

That's a headline I never thought I would post here!! Hawkins and Colton get their water and the Department of Ecology can no longer hold up our development! The Border War is over and Moscow and Whitman County can start cooperating again on issues that matter.

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

The city of Moscow has changed its stance on a proposed development in Whitman County.

The City Council voted 5-1 Monday to sell water to Hawkins Companies for use at its proposed 700,000-square-foot retail development, which would be situated just across the state line in the Pullman-Moscow corridor.

The city also agreed to drop its appeal of a water rights transfer by Hawkins.

A settlement agreement between the entities was developed during two days of mediation between Moscow, Hawkins, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the city of Colton last week in Spokane.

The council had to vote on the settlement without disclosing its content to the public because of a confidentiality requirement of the mediation.

Councilmen Walter Steed and Wayne Krauss, Mayor Nancy Chaney and Public Works Director Les MacDonald attended the mediation. The full council discussed the settlement in a private session before Monday night's meeting.

Tom Lamar was the only council member to vote against the agreement.

The agreement states that, pending permitting by the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Moscow will provide up to 45 acre-feet of drinkable water per year and up to 20 acre-feet of irrigation water per year, unless Hawkins uses reclaimed water for irrigation. The city also will provide water for fire protection for the development.

The city also is offering Hawkins sewer treatment services. Hawkins has 90 days to decide whether to accept the services and must build a sewage treatment facility on its property if it does not accept the deal with Moscow. Hawkins has estimated it will cost $2 million to build a sewage treatment plant at the site.

If Moscow develops a reclaimed water supply for irrigation, Hawkins can negotiate a deal to use it. Steed said the 20 acre-feet designated for irrigation will be removed from the deal if Hawkins uses reclaimed water, whether from Moscow or its own treatment plant.

The city will charge Hawkins rates that are "fair and reasonable and consistent with rates and charges set for similarly situated customers of the city," the agreement states.

According to the agreement, Hawkins is responsible for the capital costs of extending water utilities from the city to the development. Whitman County has agreed to sell bonds to pay for public infrastructure at the site.

Moscow will withdraw the appeals of three Hawkins water rights that it filed with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board.

Hawkins will withdraw its appeal of one water right, an annual 63-acre-feet draw from the Wanapum aquifer, that was rejected by the board.

Colton will get 100 acre-feet of annual water rights it negotiated in a deal with Hawkins.

Hawkins will have the right to exercise two of its water rights until city water service begins, at which time Hawkins will relinquish its rights and retire them permanently.

Krauss said he went into the mediation knowing the final decision would make some people unhappy, but it had to be reached.

"This a real case of being caught between a rock and hard spot when you do something like this and you make a decision," he said.

Steed said the agreement provides revenue for Moscow and causes no net increase in withdrawals from the Grand Ronde aquifer.

He said Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee officials believe the agreement will create a net decrease in water usage compared to the usage that could happen if Hawkins had all its water rights approved and Moscow lost its appeal.

"We believe there are benefits to the city of Moscow and its citizens in the agreement," Steed said.

Lamar said he voted against the proposal because he doesn't see a clear benefit for Moscow and its residents. [Waaahhhh. Get used to being the single "No" vote Lamar - tf]

"Personally, I'm concerned with the details and the precedent that may be set with decisions if we are to accept this," he said.

He said he doesn't think the city should sell water rights across the state line because Moscow has no ability to annex or tax the development. The development also could have negative ramifications for Moscow businesses.

"Once we decide to sell water to Hawkins, it's no longer just the water issue, it's the city of Moscow helping to make that development happen," he said.

Chaney said she would have voted against the agreement if given the chance. [Of course she would have. Luckily Mayor Moonbat has become Mayor Irrelevant - tf]

She said the agreement saves Hawkins money, which will expedite additional development in the corridor that will draw even more water from a declining aquifer.

"I'm not comfortable that we have all the information in hand yet," she said.

Several Moscow residents who spoke before the vote on the agreement said they were upset with the confidentiality.

"The people here are concerned (about water issues). They are interested," Moscow resident David Pierce said. "The fact that you are willing, it appears, to approve a mitigation and a compromise on this thing without involving the people of the area I think is a great travesty to the people of this area."

Several people also were concerned that the council is jeopardizing the future of Moscow's water resources by agreeing to extend services to Hawkins.

"I also am concerned that the city is willing to mortgage our children's future and put their water rights at risk and destroying possibly two existing wells and our downtown in order to put money in other people's pockets," Moscow resident Betsy Dickow said.

Moscow resident David Hall said selling water to Hawkins causes Moscow to lose its credibility as a city concerned about water.

"Moscow needs to do a full water budget before it can even consider providing water to outside entities," Hall said.

Many council members said they were uncomfortable about not being able to discuss the agreement before the vote.

Steed said confidentiality "was placed upon us. We didn't ask for it. We didn't particularly want to do it that way."

Lamar said Moscow residents will have the chance to share their opinions about the agreement during the Idaho Department of Water Resources permitting process, which will be conducted by the state.

Lambert said Moscow's representatives at the mediation could have just walked away, but it would have left the city with no control over how Hawkins uses its water rights.

"This issue is not a cut-and-dried issue where we've got the right to stop what they're doing over there, and everybody in this town needs to understand that," Lambert said. "At least we've got the right to determine how much water we can give them."

Whitman County Commissioner Jerry Finch said Moscow's decision takes "a big impediment off the process."

"I think it is a win-win for both the county and the city of Moscow," Finch said. "We've come a long way. Six months ago I would have never thought they would sell Hawkins water."

"Whitman County will sell bonds to pay for public infrastructure at site of proposed Hawkins development"

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Years of work and deliberation culminated with a 10-minute meeting in Colfax on Monday, the result of which is expected to have a profound effect on Whitman County's economy.

County commissioners approved a preliminary development agreement to enter into a public-private partnership with Boise-based Hawkins Companies, which plans to build a 700,000-square-foot retail development just west of the Idaho border.

According to the agreement, Hawkins will construct public infrastructure - including water and sewer systems - at the development site, and the county will reimburse the company for its costs through the sale of $9.1 million worth of bonds.

The county will assume ownership of the public infrastructure once it's completed, according to the agreement.

Commissioner Greg Partch said the development will change the face of Whitman County and will help secure the financial stability of the county.

"It's a good day for us - a long day in coming," Partch said. "It's time to move forward on this. The timing is right for us and the people of Whitman County.

"I know in two or three years we are going to see major changes in Whitman County," he added. "Today is going to put things in motion."

Commissioner Jerry Finch agreed that the county will reap the benefits of the deal for years to come.

"We have been talking about this a long time," Finch said. "I am so excited about this. This is going to set the tenor for the corridor and it's going to help the county financially long-term."

Commissioner Michael Largent said the agreement will be a win-win for both the county and Hawkins, but most importantly it will benefit the county residents.

"From my perspective I am interested in one thing - a win for Whitman County taxpayers," Largent said.

Largent said revenue generated from the development will help the county's budget, as well as provide money to junior taxing districts such as library, fire and school districts.

"If you are going to support schools, you are going to have to think real hard about supporting this revenue stream," Largent said.

Partch stressed that taxpayers won't see an increase in their taxes because of the bond, which will be repaid through sales and property taxes generated directly from the project.

"It's really important for the people of Whitman County to realize when we enter into a bond this will not end up on their taxes," Partch said.

The deal comes with a guarantee from Hawkins. The company will cover the difference if the county doesn't receive enough sales and tax revenue from the development to cover the expense of the bond payments during years three through seven of the deal.

Aside from extra tax revenue, the county also will see several other perks from the agreement, including a new rural fire station that will be donated by Hawkins.

Hawkins representative Jeff DeVoe said he's thrilled at the approval of the agreement, but more work is ahead, specifically finalizing a deal with Moscow regarding water and receiving a signed commitment from a major retailer to locate at the development.

"It's not finished quite yet," DeVoe said. "The preliminary agreement is finished, but there is still work ahead."

According to the agreement, a final development agreement for the partnership must be reached by June 1.

The securing of water rights was the only significant obstacle left to clear, but that appeared to be resolved at Monday's Moscow City Council meeting, after the council voted 5-1 to approve a settlement agreement between Moscow and Hawkins over disputed water rights.

The agreement should clear the way for Moscow to sell water and sewage services to Hawkins for use at the development.

Even before the agreement announced Monday in Moscow, Finch said he had little doubt the project was a done deal.

"I think we are pretty much certain it is going to happen now," he said

Hawkins Settlement Agreement with the City of Moscow

Hot off the press. Click on picture to view larger image:

"Whitman County steps in to move Hawkins project forward; Shopping center has been embroiled in water rights disputes with Moscow"

From today's Lewiston Tribune:

A proposed shopping center in the Moscow-Pullman corridor is expected to generate enough tax dollars on its own to pay for $9.1 million worth of infrastructure financed through Whitman County, officials said Monday.

"It won't cost the (other) taxpayers anything," Sharron Cunningham, the county's director of administrative services, said after commissioners Michael Largent, Greg Partch and Jerry Finch signed a preliminary development agreement with Jeff De Voe of Hawkins Companies.

The development hinges, among other things, on whether a water source can be secured.

Hawkins, a Boise-based company, wants to build a 714,000-square-foot shopping center, with a Lowe's home improvement center as the initial anchor, on 204 acres abutting the Idaho border and Moscow city limits. Because of delays revolving around water rights disputes with Moscow and resulting rising construction costs, Hawkins asked the county last month to foot the bill for water and sewer service, roads, curbs and gutters.

The commissioners agreed to the request during their Monday morning meeting.

In addition to detailing financing of the infrastructure, the preliminary agreement hints of possible cooperation with Moscow officials. Construction might be modified, the agreement reads, "if an alternative water and/or sewer system is found and both parties agree to this change."

There had been early talk of Moscow providing water and sewer hookups to the shopping center. But that potential appeared to evaporate when the city failed to act and Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney later signed an appeal of Hawkins' attempts to secure water rights to drill its own wells.

Members of the Moscow City Council were expected Monday night to take action on the appeals after formal mediation with Hawkins representatives last week. However, any decision by the Moscow City Council on the issue occurred after press time. All negotiations have been behind closed doors.

The agreement calls for the company to build all improvements and then be reimbursed by the county. The county, in turn, will issue bonds. The bonds, Cunningham explained, are purchased by a private entity or entities intending to make a profit off interest. "They're purchasing the debt," she said.

Cunningham said Hawkins, upon start of the project, will immediately begin paying construction taxes to the county, plus property taxes and eventually sales taxes in amounts expected to pay the $9.1 million bond plus interest.

De Voe said Hawkins wants to begin construction this year.

Finch, one of the most vocal advocates of the Hawkins development, said the shopping center could be the beginning of more retail construction throughout the eight-mile corridor between the two university towns. Cunningham confirmed that success of such development could translate into much-needed county revenue stability and even a possible surplus.

"We can project all we want," she said, "but we have to cover the debt first."

According to county estimates, tax revenues over the 20 years of the bonds will exceed $9 million above costs in principal and interest. If the Hawkins development fails, according to county documents, other money sources are available, including money from the state and real estate excise taxes.

The infrastructure agreement will be null and void, according to the preliminary agreement, if Hawkins fails to secure water rights, or "firm commitments from Lowe's (or reasonably suitable replacement) to either lease or purchase a portion of the development."

All the infrastructure improvements and water rights for the development will be transferred from Hawkins to the county at no charge, according to the preliminary agreement. The county is exploring the creation of a water district to supply the development, according to the agreement. In addition, Hawkins has agreed to build a rural fire station on the site, according to the agreement, and donate the land and building to Whitman County Rural Fire District 12.

All of this, Finch said, wouldn't have happened if Moscow officials had simply agreed to supply water and sewer service to Hawkins. Moscow's water rights appeals further impeded progress, said Finch, to the point where he feared Hawkins Companies might abandon the project if Whitman County hadn't stepped in with help.

This is "Selective?"

In August 2007, Queen Nancy proclaimed that "Selective growth means knowing what type of growth is right for Moscow and encouraging it."

Chaney stated that having the focus of development "on the automobile, the strip development with shoulder-to-shoulder big-boxes would encourage homogeneity in the community" and that Moscow needed to maintain its "artsy, quirky edge."

Enter Shari's Restaurant.

According to Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News, a Shari's Restaurant will open off Pullman Road on the west side of Moscow near Applebee's. The 5,000 square-foot will seat 180-185 people and be open 24/7.

What? So you mean that Shari's, on the far-edge of town away from any housing is NOT "automobile development" and NOT "shoulder-to-shoulder" with big-box Wal-Mart a few yards away?

What about sustainability? Where do you think the "half a million cups of coffee, cracks a quarter million eggs, fries over five miles of sausage links and toasts nearly 150,000 pieces of bread" that according to the article the average Shari's serves every year will come from? How many truck trips do you think that will generate? How much gas will be used to ship in those supplies and how much carbon emissions will be generated?

What about "homogeneity?" Shari's already has 98 other stores in six states. In what way does a chain restuarant maintain Moscow's "artsy, quirky edge?"

Don't even get me started on "living wages." I've worked retail and I've worked the early shift at a Shari's type restaurant washing dishes. Restaurant work is worse.

And let's not forget Mayor Moonbat's mantra: water.

According to the Idaho Department of Water Resources Restaurants with bar/lounge, toilet facilities use 9-12 gallons per day per patron. The Southwest Florida Water Management District estimates that resturants use use an average of 5,800 gallons per day (GPD) of water, half of that in the kitchen area (ice machines, dishwasher, etc.) That adds up to a whopping 2,111,700 gallons a year!

Of course, all this folderol about sprawl, homogeneity, sustainability and water ise silly. And I could care less about the hypocrisy of what Chaney states she wants and what is actually allowed to happen in Moscow. BUT THESE SAME ARGUMENTS ARE BEING USED BY MOSCOW TO STOP THE HAWKINS DEVELOPMENT IN WHITMAN COUNTY, JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM SHARI'S!!

Darrell Keim, executive director of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, was quoted in the paper as saying, "I'm excited to see the growth of business at the Warbonnet Plaza. Regardless of what happens with the Hawkins development we'll see growth in that part of town ... it seems to be the natural spot."

Of course it is. Hopefully, the new Moscow City Council will recognize this, drop their water rights transfer appeals and extend utility service to the Hawkins development.

"Settlement could be near in Moscow-area water rights dispute"

From yesterday's Lewiston Tribune:

MOSCOW - A potential water rights settlement between the city of Moscow and Hawkins Companies appears possible by Monday, according to a city council agenda.

Councilor Wayne Krauss confirmed Friday the council will meet in executive session prior to Monday night's regular meeting to discuss the matter. A public discussion of the appeals, recent mediation and a potential settlement is scheduled as the last item on the council's agenda.

Both Krauss and Councilor Walter Steed said they would not comment on the potential settlement, after signing confidentiality documents earlier in the week at Spokane where the mediation session took place. Krauss, Steed, Mayor Nancy Chaney, Public Works Director Les McDonald and a water rights attorney joined others, including Hawkins representatives, at the session.

According to the council agenda, members are now ready to "discuss and take such action deemed appropriate including approval of settlement."

No public input has been taken on the appeals issue.

Hawkins wants to build a 700,000-square-foot retail shopping center just west of the state line in Whitman County. To do that, the company sought and secured from the Washington Department of Ecology the transfer of water rights to drill wells for the development.

But Moscow filed an appeal, signed by Chaney, with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board. While hearings on the appeal are scheduled for later this spring, parties agreed to mediation last week.

To date, little of the issue has been discussed publicly. Chaney filed the appeal after meeting in executive session with members of last year's council. The mediation session was closed to the public. So the scheduled discussion at the end of Monday night's meeting will be the first time council members have addressed the matter in an open forum.

Moscow's appeal asserts, among other things, Hawkins secured water rights in two different groundwater locations and the transfers might be contrary to the legal intended use. The city of Colton had agreed to swap water rights with Hawkins, but that agreement stalled when the Moscow appeals were filed.

Chaney said the appeals stem from a concern for the region's groundwater. Critics, however, said the shopping center would use relatively little water and Moscow's action is really about slowing or stopping retail development in the Moscow-Pullman corridor.

The Whitman County commissioners, meanwhile, are poised to make a decision about a $10.5 million bond issue to build infrastructure, including water service, for the Hawkins development. Proponents said the cost to county taxpayers would be retrieved in sales and property taxes from the development. As proposed, the shopping center would be anchored by a Lowe's home improvement center and possibly other big-box retail stores.

"City Council to discuss settlement with Hawkins Companies"

Hopefully Queen Nancy's ill-begotten appeal will soon be over. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in that executive session. From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

The Moscow City Council will discuss and potentially approve a settlement between the city and Hawkins Companies during its meeting Monday.

Councilmen Wayne Krauss and Walter Steed and Mayor Nancy Chaney attended a mediation hearing in Spokane earlier this week in an attempt to reach a settlement with Hawkins on three water-rights transfers approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Hawkins plans to use the water rights for its proposed 700,000-square-foot retail shopping center just west of the Idaho state line.

Moscow filed an appeal over Ecology's decision with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board, arguing that the water rights are located in two different bodies of public groundwater and the transfers will impair existing water rights, not be in the public's interest and will improperly modify the manner of the rights' intended use.

The appeal also cited the Department of Ecology's failure to conduct an analysis of the average amount of water use from the rights over the past five years. The City Council will have to approve any decision reached at the mediation before it will be official.

Steed said he could not comment on the mediation between representatives from the city and Hawkins Companies.

"Government officials, developer negotiate water rights"

From today's Lewiston Tribune:

Representatives of the Hawkins Companies, the Washington Department of Ecology and the cities of Moscow and Colton continued mediation talks in Spokane late Tuesday night over disputed water rights transfers.

Moscow City Councilor Wayne Krauss, reached by cell phone at around 9:30 p.m., said the talks were still in session. All participants, Krauss added, signed a confidentiality paper when the talks began in the morning and he declined further comment about the negotiations.

Krauss said he expected the talks to end late Tuesday night and members of the Moscow City Council might discuss the outcome during an executive session Monday.

Hawkins has proposed building a 700,000-square-foot shopping center adjacent to the Moscow city limits just over the state line in Whitman County. The development company secured water rights transfers for the development, then Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney, with council approval, appealed the transfers.

Hawkins representatives have said they need the water rights before drilling their own wells. Moscow had refused to offer water and sewer service to the development.

The city of Colton got involved when officials there agreed to swap water rights with Hawkins before Chaney's appeal brought the transfer to a halt. The appeals, said Colton developers, have brought a halt to construction in their town.

Several people, including a pro-development citizens group in Whitman County, have called on members of Moscow's new city council to rescind the appeals and let Hawkins start construction. The appeals remain scheduled for hearings later this spring. The mediation gathering was organized recently in hope of finding a quicker resolution.

In the meantime, the three Whitman County commissioners indicated they may make a decision by Monday whether to issue $10.5 million worth of bonds to build infrastructure, including water service, for the Hawkins development. The commissioners have championed the Hawkins shopping center and criticized Moscow officials for jumping over a state line to take legal action.

Chaney said her appeals were filed because of concern for the region's groundwater. Critics continue to say the mayor and members of the former city council in Moscow really want to stop retail development in the Moscow-Pullman corridor. The Whitman County commissioners have all gone on record that they hope the Hawkins development will be the start of even more retail development throughout the eight-mile corridor.

As planned, the Hawkins shopping center would be anchored by a Lowe's home improvement center and could include other big-box retail stores.

"Mediation between city, Hawkins under way"

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Moscow City Councilman Walter Steed said he could not comment on ongoing mediation between representatives of the city of Moscow and Hawkins Companies.

Steed, Councilman Wayne Krauss and Mayor Nancy Chaney are attending the mediation in Spokane, which started Tuesday. Steed said Tuesday afternoon that the rules of the mediation require him to keep information confidential.

He said he could not comment on how long the mediation would take. Krauss said earlier this week that the mediation would likely run through today.

Moscow has appealed the Washington State Department of Ecology's decision to grant the Boise-based development company water-rights transfers for a proposed retail development in the Pullman-Moscow corridor, just west of the Idaho state line.

The appeal, which was filed with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board, argues that the water rights are located in two different bodies of public groundwater and the transfers will impair existing water rights, not be in the public's interest and will improperly modify the manner of the rights' intended use.

The appeal also cited the Department of Ecology's failure to conduct an analysis of the average amount of water use from the rights over the past five years.

Krauss and Chaney could not be reached for comment.

Councilmen Dan Carscallen, Tom Lamar, Bill Lambert and John Weber said Tuesday they had not heard any news about the mediation.

Weber said Peter G. Scott, a Montana-based lawyer who is representing the city in the appeal, will speak for Moscow in the mediation.

"I think Wayne and Walter were there to show moral support and the fact that we're serious about it, and so is the mayor, but as far as them giving any testimony I think the testimony would have been given by our mediator or experts," Weber said.

The City Council will have to approve any decision reached at the mediation before it will be official.

"Hawkins vote could come Monday in Whitman County"

"...the best way to keep shoppers in Pullman and, crucially, attract shoppers from Moscow and other nearby communities, is for Pullman to 'differentiate itself' from its neighbors, to offer shopping and dining opportunities not already available in our area."

- PARDner Chris Lupke, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, June 16, 2006

"I see Whitman County and Latah County as having somewhat of a fixed revenue source. I don't know if there is enough dispensable income to support this kind of project."

- PARDner Don Orlich, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, January 29, 2008, on the Hawkins Companies retail development in the corridor which will bring a variety of new shopping and dining opportunities to the Palouse, including a Lowe's Home Improvement and another undisclosed large retailer.

From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Commissioners say they won't be rushed in making decision to sell bonds to pay for infrastructure at development site

Whitman County commissioners have tentatively set Monday as their target date for a vote on the proposed public-private partnership with Hawkins Companies and the selling of roughly $10 million in bonds.

The bonds would be used to pay for public infrastructure at the site of Hawkins' proposed retail development in the Pullman-Moscow corridor, just west of the Idaho state line.

Commissioner Michael Largent said at a public meeting Monday in Colfax the commissioners would not be rushed in making their decision.

"We will not make a decision until we are ready, regardless of a timeline," he said.

Monday's meeting was not as well attended as the previous two public meetings on the topic, with only four Whitman County residents attending.

Donald Orlich, a Pullman resident, was one of two residents who spoke against the proposed development. He told the county commissioners it was not the government's place to provide money for private businesses. He also said it was not the time to burden the county with debt, given the declining state of the country's economy.

"What we have in front of us is whether the county will commit to financing public infrastructure," Orlich said. "I don't think we should be subsidizing private companies.

"I really think this would be bad timing all around and I am opposed to this."

Orlich also questioned the profitability potential of the proposed 700,000-square-foot shopping center.

"I see Whitman County and Latah County as having somewhat of a fixed revenue source," Orlich said. "I don't know if there is enough dispensable income to support this kind of project."

Commissioner Jerry Finch responded to Orlich's comment by citing a recent study that concluded the Palouse loses $80 million a year in potential retail sales to nearby cities like Spokane and Lewiston.

"If we capture 10 percent of that, which I think is realistic, those numbers are doable," Finch said.

Finch also said the county and Hawkins have been careful in their estimates.

"Everywhere we have done this we have done this very conservatively," Finch said.

Russ Coggins, a Pullman resident, spoke in favor of the bonding and the development.

"I think the proposed bond as proposed is going to be a good thing for Whitman County," Coggins said. "It is a heck of a bargain. I don't see how Whitman County can pass on it."

The commissioners also said during the meeting that representatives from Hawkins have indicated that a second "major retailer" is ready to commit to the development.

The county has made available an informational packet on its Web site (whitmancounty.org) in response to the many questions raised by residents during last week's public meeting and to clear up some of the public's questions.

One of the questions addressed in the packet was what would the total cost of the bond be to the county once interest is included. According to the packet, the county has not decided on the length of the bond, but if the county elected to sell 20-year bonds, the cost of a $9.1 million bond ultimately would be $14.2 million.

Another question addressed how the county will pay for the bonds. According to the packet, the county expects sales and property taxes generated from the development will "more than pay for the costs to the county."

The county also expects to see a tax revenue profit from the development of $9 million over the first 20 years, "over and above the costs in principal and interest to pay for the infrastructure."

If the estimates aren't reached, the county still would have several options to pay for the bonds, including using .09 funds - money provided by the state and awarded by the county to assist rural communities with economic development - or dipping into the county's general fund, according to the packet.

Hawkins representatives were scheduled to meet with Moscow representatives today in Spokane, with a goal of resolving their differences over a water-rights transfers granted by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Moscow has appealed the Department of Ecology's decision, arguing that the water rights were located in two different bodies of public groundwater and the transfers would impair existing water rights, not be in the public's interest and would improperly modify the manner of the rights' intended use. The appeal also cited Ecology's failure to conduct an analysis of the average amount of water use from the rights over the past five years.

New Motto for Moscow

"Moscow - We Are Appealing"

Courtesy of Bill Weed, The Morning News on NewsTalk 1150, KQQQ