Depot Debate Fuel For Democracy
It’s intriguing and oddly refreshing to watch Inland Northwest residents rouse themselves from political and civic apathy.
The most recent example of citizen self-empowerment (some would say interference) is the battle over the railroad refueling depot proposed near Rathdrum.
One key phrase has galvanized the opposition: “The fuel would be stored over the aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for the region.”
Never mind that the risks are minuscule and the railroad is an important regional business that badly needs the depot. This emotional battle has more to do with control of government, distrust of big business and a rare, fleeting sense of empowerment.
Regardless of the decision reached on the depot, what’s critical in the long term is that this civic awakening helps build a sense of community. There are, however, some major obstacles to overcome.
The opposition to the depot became so intense and widespread in part because of a feeling that government officials were going to approve it regardless of local outrage. Will Kootenai County commissioners OK the depot despite the opposition of an obvious majority of residents? Would the federal government overrule a local decision that went against the depot? If so, then whose government is it, anyway?
Local government is heavily influenced by business. And big businesses such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe probably deserve their reputations for putting profits ahead of concern for neighbors, employees and the environment. People are understandably frightened at the prospect of the railroad safeguarding their drinking water.
Seldom, if ever, do ordinary citizens have a chance to stand up to such a powerful corporation. They’re lining up for the opportunity now in large part because they feel so helpless to do anything about the dangers that already exist.
There are millions of gallons of hazardous materials stored over the aquifer in dozens of critical locations. The consequences of an environmental disaster would be staggering. The chance to stop another development - no matter how small the risk - gives opponents a heady sense of empowerment.
Depot opponents fail to recognize, though, that their best chance of real empowerment comes every election day. And Idaho voters have chosen to hire the most pro-business, anti-regulatory candidates in every city, county, state and federal election in recent years.
Does it surprise anyone that many of the politicians supporting the depot openly despise the Environmental Protection Agency? Lt. Gov. Butch Otter, the front-runner for Congress, is engaged in a personal battle with the EPA over his willful disregard of environmental laws. There’s an old political saying that applies in Idaho: “You get what you deserve.”
Depot opponents also refuse to admit they’re guilty of the “not-in-my-back-yard” syndrome for their insistence that the depot be built “someplace else, anyplace else but here.” No one wants a refueling depot. But everyone wants the goods and services provided efficiently and effectively by the railroad. The depot has to go somewhere.
It will be most interesting to see what happens after the depot decision is final. Is this just the beginning of a great citizen awakening, in which people take a more active role in running their government, or will apathy settle in again?
One thing’s for certain: it’s an exciting time to work for a newspaper. The Spokesman-Review’s mission statement includes this goal: “To inspire greater citizen participation in solving community problems.”
Let’s just hope this participation solves more problems than it creates.