Refueling Depot Hearing Moved To School

Wed., May 27, 1998

Expecting overwhelming attendance, a hearing on the proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad refueling depot has been moved to Prairie View Elementary School.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The school is located at the corner of Greensferry and Poleline roads in Post Falls.

Last month, the Kootenai County Planning Commission started to take testimony on the railroad’s proposal to put about 2 million gallons of diesel fuel and other petroleum products at a refueling plant near Rathdrum. The railroad’s plans call for a third, 950,000 gallon diesel tank in the future.

Planning Commission hearing examiner John Stamsos continued the April hearing, saying the railroad must give better justification for locating so much fuel over the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. That needs to be squared with the Kootenai County comprehensive plan, which calls for maximum protection for the aquifer.

The aquifer is the sole economic source of drinking water for Kootenai and Spokane counties.

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Refueling Depot Hearing Moved To School

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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