Proposed district is not wanted or needed

The proposed county watershed protection district overlay ordinance is unnecessary, costly and invasive. Applies city rules inappropriate to rural living.

Watersheds already protected under Federal Clean Water Act, regulated by Corps of Engineers, EPA; Idaho Department of Lands regulations. Drinking water by Idaho departments of Water Resources, Environmental Quality, Panhandle Health District.

More county bureaucracy, operating expense, permits/costs. Original proposal-42 use permit possibilities against private property in district’s Protection General Area in addition to existing federal, state permits. 21 uses denied in district’s Critical Area.

Applicants for district few as 10 connections or 25 persons, 5 acre parcels. Conceivably 3 large families, 3 dwellings, 15 acres, common well, could apply to impact thousands of private acres, hundreds of dwellings.

Original proposal’s “Best Practices” while voluntary, now anyway, are ludicrous!  City dwellers wrote, no concept of rural living, farming, ranching, forestry. From Sandpoint’s failed similar proposal via and “pushed” by city councilperson/ county planner Jamie Davis. Conflict of Interest here?

Examples: Fuel storage: Over 5 gallons requires containment area; propane limit 500 gallons; underground propane tanks prohibited; nitrogen fertilizer storage limit one gallon or 100 pounds/product; explosive devices prohibited; mandatory standards restrict livestock to maximum of 10 regardless of acreage.

Original proposal currently being reworked. Next hearing 12/14. Concerned about invasion of your private property, needless/ridiclous laws, more permits/costs, county bureaucracy. Get a copy at Planning department, attend to voice your concerns/opposition.

Water is already well protected. This ordinance is unnecessary.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla