Water continues to be an issue for Theresa Heinz Kerry less than two weeks after it was reported that she, along with her husband, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, were the leading single-family water users in Ketchum during a four-month period in 2006 and 2007.
This time, Heinz Kerry applied for a stream alteration and waterways design review. The application was denied by the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday, Aug. 11.
Steve Fisher, an aquatic biologist representing Heinz Kerry, requested permission to remove approximately 200 cubic yards of gravel that has created a bar on the channel of the Big Wood River at the edge of the applicant's property.
The Heinz Kerry house is located just north of downtown Ketchum, on the west side of state Highway 75 across from the Bigwood Golf Course.
Fisher said the gravel bar, which has grown in size over the past two years, is diverting water flows to a more westerly channel.
He argued that the bar increases the potential for a dangerous logjam, which could require an emergency removal during flooding, as happened in 2006.
However, the commission decided that the proposal did not meet a number of standards necessary in a waterways design review.
Commissioner Sam Williams said there was no proof that the fish habitat would be maintained or improved as a result of the proposed work, nor that it was clearly linked to public health and welfare.
"The river does what it needs to do," said Commission Co-Chairwoman Deborah Burns. "We need to let it do its thing and not alter it."
