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Methow
Valley News June 24, 1999 Endangered Species Coverage Publisher's Comment ~ By Lee Hicks Enough EIS already! Before taking issue with the substance of what was said by anti-growth speakers at the recent water rule hearing, let’s commend them for staying--in the vernacular of political campaigning--"on message." A number of people--many of them with ties to the Methow Valley Citizens Council--came to the microphone at the recent hearing to call for a state Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed water rule. Their testimony followed the arguments that by creating more opportunity to convert seasonal irrigation rights to year-round use, and by giving priority to community water systems, the new rule would open the Methow Valley to rampant development. Political consultants stress simplicity, clarity and repetition as guidelines for political messages. In those criteria, MVCC and other EIS proponents stuck with their message. Maybe local environmentalists, and their mostly Seattle allies, feel the Methow just wouldn’t be the same without a major EIS underway. That on top of "the feds" breathing down the collective neck of the Methow Valley over endangered species issues would mean a really big windfall for legions of lawyers, biologists and planners who already have enough work with endangered species issues. MVCC essentially failed in its attempt to stop Arrowleaf in an appeal--decided last year--of the project EIS. An EIS for the water rule without question would be the mother of all EIS, sweeping from Mazama to Pateros. It would also add another layer of overlapping study in an already study-weary Methow Valley. The state Department of Ecology, often hesitant about doing anything without lengthy analysis and public input, made the right decision in determining an EIS is not needed for the water rule. It’s a good decision, even though there are a number of parts to the proposed rule that need additional work, refinement and public comment. These can all be addressed without an EIS. But congratulations, nevertheless, to MVCC speakers and others for attending the hearing and raising the issue and staying "on message." Opinion | Sports |
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