Four the future - December 20

For this Monday: Wastewater editorial, Cd'A conservation easement, transportation visioning, and beavers!

• Cleaner river worth the cost
  Source: Spokesman, 091220
  Summary: In this op-ed, Rachael Paschal Osborn lists all the good things going on with regards to the protection of the Spokane River, and why embracing higher utility rates now translates into better water quality and a better economy. Here are her five reasons: good for the economy, the Spokane River is too small in the summer to handle all the waste, we're lucky it isn't more expensive, we have a responsibility to those downriver, and others are doing their fair share, too.
  Opinion: While there was considerable distress that the City of Spokane withdrew their support to the region's Septic Tank Elimination program (STEP), there is considerable value in fixing the city's combined sewer-stormwater system which allows untreated sewage to wash directly into the Spokane River during rainstorms. Also, the City's commitment to testing new tertiary wastewater treatment systems is commendable, as they prepare for more stringent standards to come. All-in-all, there is great progress in this area, even as emitters and environmentalists vie over what the final standards will be.
• Preserving views, family traditions
  Source: Spokesman, 091221
  Summary: 500 acres along Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes has been permanently preserved by a conservation easement.
  Opinion: An important tool, conservation easements can keep property in the ownership of a person or family. It allows them to continue to use the property in its current form, while preventing inappropriate conversation of rural properties to urban uses. It can reduce property taxes (as properties are judged by their highest and best use; eliminating certain development opportunities lowers it), provides cash or federal tax deductions to the property owner, and reduces or eliminates estate and gift taxes. Its use can't be more highly recommended.
• Yearlong study will create 'vision' for regional transit
  Source: Spokesman, 091221
  Summary: The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is launching a year-long study of the regional transportation system.
  Opinion: SRTC is Spokane's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and is, actually, continually studying and planning transportation in the region--that is its sole purpose. This is an important effort, and it is important that people get involved (or hold your peace for the next 30 to 50 years). More details are at http://www.srtc.org/Visioning RFP.html
• The Beaver Solution
  Source: The Lands Council
  Summary: The State Department of Ecology has been proposing damming a canyon somewhere in eastern Washington for water storage, holding it from the high water times of the spring until low water summer. The Lands Council proposed an alternative: The Beaver Solution. Reintroduce the beavers that were driven from eastern Washington so they can build dams themselves, not only reestablishing a natural system of ecologically powerful wetlands, but also helping water quality and releasing water downstream as was intended: slowly over beaver dams.
  Opinion: A must see video! Thanks to my friends at Hamilton Studio for the wonderful animation for an important topic.