Activists oppose Avista's plan to draw more water

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPOKANE -- A proposal by Avista Utilities to draw nearly 3 million gallons a day from the main drinking water supply for the Spokane area has drawn opposition from environmental groups and private citizens.

The Avista proposal is one of three by utilities seeking to draw a total of 20 million gallons a day from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer to cool three new electricity plants.

"We feel there should be a moratorium on all the water permits until there's a comprehensive study done on the aquifer and its capacity," said Barry Rosenberg, executive director of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance.

The environmental groups have also protested similar proposals by Cogentrix Energy and Newport Northwest.

Meanwhile, Spokane County commissioners on Tuesday decided to formally oppose the Newport Northwest proposal until more is known about the capacity of the aquifer.

"I don't think we have enough information to allow it right now," Commissioner Kate McCaslin said. "Until a study is complete, we ought to suggest that the state of Idaho not allow this."

The commissioners will draft a letter to the Idaho Department of Water Resources, asking that Newport Northwest's application to draw water, which will be heard starting March 11, be denied.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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