Flood Meeting Audience A Tough Crowd Commissioners Threatened With Recall Over Proposed Building, Insurance Ordinance

Critics of a fiercely unpopular flood ordinance proposal in Idaho County threatened county commissioners with lawsuits, recall and citizen revolt at a public hearing.

“It will be blood for blood; there will be no compromise,” said Grant Walton of Kooskia.

Walton said he was outraged the commissioners could impose an ordinance “that goes against our God-given rights.

“Are you prepared to defend those rights?” he asked the crowd of about 400 people Monday. The answer was a resounding “yes.”

Frank Rencher, also of Kooskia, told the commissioners: “If you pass this and try to institute it, you’ll have a war.”

The crowd, which spilled from a large Elks Club hall into back rooms, applauded both men.

The commissioners held the public meeting to hear comments on a proposed flood damage prevention ordinance that would enable county residents to purchase national flood insurance. The ordinance would regulate new construction in floodplains defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It would regulate new and replacement water supply and sewer systems and require that any new residential structure have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. It also would require any new non-residential construction or building improvements be one foot above the base flood level and have watertight walls.

More than 40 people took to the podium to express their opposition to the ordinance, while only two people spoke in favor of it.

One of those in favor, David Green of Grangeville, was booed as he walked to his seat. Mary Cocus of Pollock said she favored the ordinance because she does not qualify for much-needed insurance.

“I don’t want any more government, but you are taking away my right to buy insurance,” she said.

While most of the comments were milder than those threatening a citizen uprising, the meeting often was punctuated with cat calls, whistles and shouts of “amen.”

The central argument against the ordinance is based on the assertion that once the federal government starts regulating construction in Idaho County, it will not be long before digging a fence post hole will require a permit.

The commissioners likely will vote on the proposed ordinance Monday.