GOP leadership shortchanging public

The state legislature's GOP leadership has once again short-changed the people of Idaho by voting to strip the state's Department of Environmental Quality of authority to review and approve plans for modification of water and wastewater systems. (Bee, Feb 23).

Instead of voting to protect Idaho citizens from water pollution, they sided with developers and big business interests, despite the DEQ director's warning that if this law had been passed earlier, the department would have been unable to review plans for the railroad refueling depot over the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer. (Leaks from that depot have caused a judge to order closure of the facility).

The House majority leader cited delays by DEQ in approving some projects as the reason for this bill, and yet budget cuts by the legislature have hobbled the DEQ in doing its job.

Another lawmaker pointed out that 90 percent of Idaho's drinking water systems aren't within cities, and that DEQ reviews are necessary to ensure their safety.

Those North Idaho lawmakers who voted to support this bill may have a hard time facing their constituents who feel safe drinking water is an obligation not a benefit.

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Ponderay