Hawkins Companies Stateline Development
Moscow votes to adopt a
settlement agreement with Hawkins Companies, LLC,
at their February 4, 2008, City Council meeting.
Only Councilmember Tom Lamar voted "nay."
Hawkins puts price on growth; Company says infrastructure for proposed corridor development will cost $10.5 million (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, January 8, 2008)
Hawkins Companies on Monday asked Whitman County commissioners to sell bonds totaling $10.5 million to pay for public infrastructure for the company's proposed 700,000-square-foot shopping development on the Pullman-Moscow Highway.
Jeff DeVoe, spokesman for the Boise-based development company, also proposed the county and Hawkins enter into a public-private partnership in constructing public infrastructure for the site, just west of the Idaho state line. The partnership essentially would amount to Hawkins being responsible for the construction of public infrastructure and Whitman County agreeing to purchase it back at a predetermined price.
The public infrastructure would include a new water system,
roads, sidewalks, and a sewer system. There also is preliminary talk of Hawkins constructing a fire station for the county at Hawkins' expense.
...
Commissioners will hold at least two public meetings to discuss the idea of selling bonds,
with the first coming Jan. 14. A decision is hoped to be reached Jan. 28, Finch said.
Commissioner Greg Partch said the commissioners want to hear from the public before making a decision.
"We are going to take the next few weeks to hear comments," Partch said. "We really want to make this as open as possible."
Hawkins Companies asks county to seek $10.5 million bond for infrastructure (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, January 8, 2008)
Hawkins Companies on Monday asked Whitman County commissioners to take out a $10.5 million bond to pay for public infrastructure for a proposed shopping development on the Pullman-Moscow Highway.
The project hinges on Hawkins obtaining water rights it is seeking and signing a lease with Lowe’s as an anchor tenant for the site. ...
Ecology decision may hinder Hawkins' plans: State only approves three of four proposed water-right transfers requested by Boise-based development company (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, October 9, 2007)
The Washington State Department of Ecology's decision to approve three of four water-right transfers requested by Hawkins Companies has Whitman County officials concerned the plans for a 700,000-square-foot shopping facility on the Pullman-Moscow Highway will fall through.
Whitman County Commissioner Jerry Finch said without the approval of all four water rights, the development may be stalled or scrapped altogether. ...
According to an Ecology news release issued Monday, the department affirmed the Whitman County Water Conservancy Board's approval of the water-right transfers proposed from two wells north of Pullman, along with the transfer of water from a well three miles north of LaCrosse to the city of Colton.
However, Ecology reversed the water conservancy board's decision to approve a surface-water diversion from the South Fork of the Palouse River because the required plan to "mitigate," or make up for, impacts to Paradise Creek is inadequate, according to the release.
It's unclear how the decision affects Hawkins' plans to build the Lowe's-anchored shopping facility in Whitman County, just across the state line from Idaho. Jeff DeVoe, spokesman for the Boise-based development company, said today Hawkins plans to release a written statement on Ecology's decision. He declined further comment. ...
OUR VIEW: Ecology needs extra time to make sound decision (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, September 17, 2007)
Ecology, which must grant final approval for the transfers, commonly uses extensions in complex cases.
This case certainly falls into that category, especially considering the possible legal ramifications Ecology's decision could have if any party is dissatisfied with the result.
Ecology officials appear to understand the implications.
"Hawkins is one of those situations where a little more time is desirable for us to make our decisions," said Guy Gregory, senior hydrologist and technical unit supervisor for the Department of Ecology's Eastern Region. ...
State takes extra time to review Hawkins water plan (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, September 11, 2007)
The Washington State Department of Ecology extended its review period for the water-right transfer associated with the proposed Hawkins development on the Pullman-Moscow Highway just west of the state line. The timeline for a decision has been extended 30 days, giving the state until Oct. 5 to make a decision.
Public comments due August 27
Comments may be submitted on-line at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/conservancy_boards/rodhome.html
Board OKs water-rights transfers: Recommendation now goes to Ecology for approval; Hawkins Companies hopes to break ground sometime this fall (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, July 26, 2007 -- 73 reader comments!)
Hawkins Companies moved one step closer to breaking ground on its proposed 700,000-square-foot retail center just across the state line from Moscow when the Whitman County Water Conservancy Board recommended approval of the company's water-rights transfer requests Wednesday.
The board unanimously approved four water-rights transfer applications from the Boise-based firm, but the Washington State Department of Ecology must still give final approval to the applications. ...
Protest of Application for Transfer of Water Rights:
WHIT-07-01, WHIT-07-02, WHIT-07-03, WHIT-07-04
filed by: Palouse Water Conservation Network, Palouse Group of the Sierra Club, and Moscow Civic Association
en re: Hawkins Companies Stateline Development [108 KB PDF]
Hawkins submits four water rights requests; Development company seeks annual rights to 264 million gallons of water
[Moscow-Pullman Daily News, February 27, 2007]
Boise-based Hawkins Companies has applied to transfer annual rights for 264 million gallons of water to its proposed 700,000-square-foot shopping center in Whitman County, just across the border from Moscow.
...
Some are skeptical if the water right transfers would represent the actual water in the ground and if the water transfers would comply with Washington's water laws.
Mark Solomon, with the Palouse Water Conservation Network, doesn't see how some of the water rights can transfer. ...
Washington State University water rights consolidation
Public comments due by 4pm August 20
WSU water rights appealed [Moscow-Pullman Daily News Thursday, October 26, 2006]
Scotty Cornelius doesn't believe Washington State University is taking water conservation seriously.
The Pullman activist, the Palouse Water Conservation Network and the Palouse Group Sierra Club have filed an appeal against a water rights decision that would allow WSU to consolidate its wells. ...
...
Cornelius said part of WSU's motivation for applying for the well consolidation is to provide more water for its 315-acre, 18-hole golf course, which is under construction. ...
Naylor Farms
- Judge denies Naylor appeal: Kerrick affirms county decision regarding mining company's permit application
Devin Rokyta, Daily News, Wednesday, August 22, 2007
"Nez Perce County Second District Court Judge Carl B. Kerrick upheld the Latah County commissioners' denial of a conditional use permit application submitted by Naylor Farms, which would have allowed the company to mine clay and gravel north of Moscow.
"Kerrick issued a 29-page decision that discussed in detail each claim Naylor Farms appealed. He denied each.
"Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the ruling affirmed the county acted within its boundaries. ..."
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Idaho Department of Water Resources
Decision in the matter of application for Permit No. 87-10022 in the name of Ralph Nayor Farms, LLC
(Preliminary Order) [8-page PDF]
Palouse Water Conservation Network,
Moscow Civic Association,
Palouse Group of the Sierra Club,
Protect Our Water,
Friends of the Clearwater and
Moscow League of Women Voters present:
Toward Sustainability: Achieving Sustainable Water Use on the Palouse
on Monday April 30 from 7-9 p.m. at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd Street).
A panel discussion to be followed by community discussion.
Panelists are:
- Dr. Jerry Fairley (UI--Geology/Hydrogeology; sustainability and ground water issues)
- Dr. Fritz Fiedler (UI--Civil Engineering/hydrology; sustainability and surface water issues)
- Dr. Barb Cosens (UI--Water/Property Law; sustainability and water rights & law issues)
- Bill French (Founder, PWCN; sustainability and conservation/efficiency issues)
KRFP Radio Free Moscow's MP3 recordings of the panel:
Part 1 1:03:39 LoFi
HiFi
Part 2 0:54:20 LoFi
HiFi
Visit the Palouse Basin Community Water Information System presented at the 2007 Palouse Basin Water Summit.
Palouse Basin Water Summit
Media coverage of Palouse Basin aquifers
Moscow water conservation
- Moscow's water conservation ordinance
- Moscow's water resolution (3-page PDF files)
- Moscow City Council Passes Water Conservation Measures
- OUR VIEW: Moscow must get tough on water use. Murf Raquet. [Moscow-Pullman Daily News Wednesday, June 20, 2007]
Early returns of Moscow water usage indicate the city's tiered-rate system is having little effect.
Granted, one year hardly constitutes enough time to draw legitimate conclusions about the correlation between cost and water use. However, Moscow officials may want to rethink their strategy if the same results come up after an adequate time for study.
The tiered system, like many used in areas trying to conserve water, does not penalize water customers for basic use. When that use exceeds what has been determined to be normal, the cost per hundred cubic feet increases in increments.
The tiered system should discourage customers from using too much water by hitting them in the pocketbook.
Moscow is right in trying to encourage water conservation and the effort should not stop with rate structure. The city can continue to take steps to encourage other methods of conservation - such as moisture sensors that regulate automatic sprinklers, which often come on in the rain, or low-flow shower heads.
Water use traditionally jumps in the summer. There are pools to fill, plants to water and vehicles to wash.
Short of catching and containing rainfall and snow melt, our water supply is dependent on two aquifers. Those aquifers are being drained faster than they can be recharged, according to the latest science, and no one really knows how much water is available.
Eliminating wasteful and unnecessary water-use practices will go a long way in maintaining our water supply.
Moscow's tiered water-rate system is the right approach for now. If the current rate structure proves to have little effect then the city should consider raising the rates on the upper tiers.
Last summer, the Palouse experienced 40 days with temperatures higher than 90 degrees. That's hot, and without appreciable humidity, non- native plants and grasses dry out.
Wasting water to keep something green for no better reason than aesthetics does not help matters. Those who wish to continue to do so should pay the price.
A significantly higher cost should cause users to cut back. If it doesn't, bump it up some more.
The city also must get tough on those irrigators whose sprinklers wet the streets more than the grass. Clean roads are nice, but not at the expense of the aquifers.
- Moscow water conservation iffy. Omie Drawhorn. [Moscow-Pullman Daily News June 18, 2007]
Moscow officials say residents aren’t noticeably decreasing their water use as the city heads into its second summer with a tiered water-rate system. "We just don’t have a lot of data," Public Works Director Les MacDonald said. ...
Bill French of the Palouse Water Conservation Network said the current system isn’t doing enough to encourage conservation.
"As the rates are now, none of the tiers are as high as they should be," he said.
"The difference between them is not enough to be noticeable on a water bill."
...
The Palouse Water Conservation Network wrote a letter to the city earlier this year indicating that the group
didn't expect the tiered water-rate system to have the desirable effect when it was enacted.
"Additional years of data would bear that out," French said.
"I'd like to see them improve that before. Even the lowest tier should be higher."
French said the city should put more money into conservation programs such as
xeriscaping, adoption of a true watering season, requiring rainwater collectors,
prohibiting the watering of pavement and replacing fixtures in all city buildings with water-efficient options.
...
French said one summer of data should be enough to base changes on.
- Moscow Cemetery Maintenance District wants to drill its own well
Well water would be from the Wanapum aquifer. "The cemetery would not be using any more water than we are presently using which was an average for 2001 through 2004 of 1,417,402 cubic feet but the permit is for 34,000,000 gal or less per year as recommended by the IDWR." [MCMD letter to Latah County Commissioners, July 24, 2006]
The Palouse Water Conservation Network (PWCN) would like to propose a compromise between the Moscow Cemetery Maintenance District, the City of Moscow and Latah County that we feel would provide adequate water to the cemetery while also being a reasonable use of our public water supply. ...
- Moscow wants to boost [sewer rate] fees for 'other commercial' and 'mixed-use' customers
[Moscow-Pullman Daily News Monday, February 26, 2007]
Latah County Hydrologic Characterization
- Latah County Hydrologic Characterization Project Final Report.
Submitted to the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Prepared by Jerry P. Fairley, Mark D. Solomon, Jennifer J. Hinds, George W. Grader, John H. Bush, and Amber L. Rand.
30 September 2006.
[ 27-page 738 KB PDF file ]
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Latah County Hydrologic Characterization Project Final Report Appendix A: Graphical Summary of Phase I Borehole Logs.
Submitted to the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Prepared by Jerry P. Fairley, Mark D. Solomon, Jennifer J. Hinds, George W. Grader, John H. Bush, and Amber L. Rand.
30 September 2006.
[ 11-page 1 MB PDF file ]
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Hydrogeologic Characterization of the Latah Formation of the Moscow Sub-basin: Workplan Submitted for Latah County
By Mark Solomon, Palouse Water Conservation Network;
Dr. John Bush, UI Professor of Geology Emeritus; and
Dr. Jerry Fairley, UI Assistant Professor of Hydrogeology
May 2005
[ 8-page 32K PDF file ]
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Geologic Cross-Section Moscow-Pullman Idaho-Washington
John H. Bush & Dean L. Garwood
[ 53 KB jpg file ] [ 132 KB jpg file ]
Petition to designate Grande Ronde aquifer and Wanapum aquifer as Critical Ground Water Area,
Ground Water Management Area
Petition to Idaho Department of Water Resources by Palouse Water Conservation Network, Sierra Club Palouse Group, Idaho Conservation League, and Friends of the Clearwater
to designate portions of the Palouse Basin Aquifer a Critical Ground Water Area ...
No Chemical Lawn Care? You Bet'cha! (31 KB PDF) from Moscow Recycling, courtesy Andy Boyd.
UI Arboretum xeriscape garden information and
plant list [22K PDF] 
Comprehensive Data Compilation and Analysis for the Palouse Basin Aquifer (presentation by Leek, Qiu, Wu)
Too much watering invites a flood of problems [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
Learn about the
Groundwater Forum for the Palouse Basin.
H2Know? Q & A from the groundwater forum
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