Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Questions at River Run


My friends say I am naïve. I just feel confused. I attended the P&Z meeting for the River Run project. I asked if the sewage treatment system currently has enough capacity for a project this large. The first night, the supervisor of our Ketchum plant said he couldn't answer the question until P&Z approves the project, only then can he do a water audit. How can anyone approve a project without first knowing the water ramifications?

The second night I asked the question again. This time the supervisor answered "yes," and said the plant definitely has capacity for an additional 600 housing units plus employees plus tourists. This is a miraculous revelation for only 24 hours. Is anyone else suspicious? I asked whether Sun Valley Co. owns senior or junior water rights for their property. P&Z said that couldn't be determined until the famous water audit is completed, after project approval of course. Are they kidding? Water rights are recorded with the purchase of the property.

I asked if Fish and Game had submitted a review of the sensitive habitat area—woods and wetlands located south of River Run next to the bike path. This time, P&Z did not even address the question. Strange. When I called Fish and Game myself, they said no one at all has contacted them about the River Run project. And yes, this is highly unusual.

I care very much about the trees and animals that live in those woods. They should not be bulldozed for houses that west Ketchum doesn't need. The River Run project seems like radiation; the right amount is an X-ray, too much will kill you. Who is making it right for us? Is the fox guarding the hen house?

I'm confused. Or maybe it's true and I'm just naïve.

Maya Burrell

Ketchum




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