Some interesting Q&A after a presentation on the history of groundwater management on the Palouse.
Queen Nancy asked why the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee only concerned itself with water and not land use. Steve Robischon, PBAC Executive Director, had an excellent answer. He stated that PBAC was made up of several local governments so obviously consensus was going to be impossible on every issue. Plus, more importantly, PBAC members are not elected. Land use decisions should be made by local elected officials and zoning commissions.
Another question concerned cross-state water transfers. One of the presenters stated that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that such transfers cannot be denied on the basis of the Commerce Act.
Obviously the Hawkins Companies water rights transfer and Moscow's appeal are much on everyone's mind today.
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