Bacon owed kudos for protecting Priest Lake

Kudos to Idaho Department of Lands Director George Bacon for standing up for one of North Idaho's most special places: Priest Lake.

Director Bacon backed up local Priest Lake Area Manager Mick Shanilec, denying an application to run a sewer line along the bed of Priest Lake. That's a victory for all who love Priest Lake and all who value clean water.

A landowner had proposed to build a home on undeveloped East Twin Island, north of Coolin near the eastern shore of Priest Lake. The landowner wanted to run a half-mile pipe along the bottom of the lake to carry sewage waste. In the event of an accident, raw sewage would have spilled into Priest Lake.

Under Idaho State Law, any development along the bed of a lake is required to provide benefits to the environment or the public. It was obvious that the proposal represented a risk to natural resources and held no public benefit whatsoever.

As a result, the Idaho Department of Lands made the right decision.

All Idahoans who cherish the clean water and natural beauty of Priest Lake owe Director Bacon a debt of gratitude.

SUSAN DRUMHELLER

Sandpoint

North Idaho associate

Idaho Conservation League