Boards fear church site will endanger aquifer

Two sewer and water boards want the Kootenai County commission to reconsider its decision to allow a church to put a septic system above the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.

The Hayden Lake Recreational Water and Sewer District and North Kootenai Water District sent the commission a letter Thursday asking the commission to justify its decision to give Real Life Ministries a permit to build an expansive campus before the completion of a sewer master plan study for the prairie.

Gerry House, chairman of the Hayden Lake district, said the county broke its agreement with Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum not to approve large projects until the study’s completion, expected by year’s end. The cities also opposed the church’s proposal.

“We see our aquifer as being threatened as a result,” House said.

In a 2-1 vote last week, the commission agreed to give the church a conditional-use permit to build a campus that eventually would include a 3,500-seat worship center and nine other buildings for a total of 458,000 square feet.

House said he’s still talking with mayors of the prairie towns about an appeal. Instead of a political and legal battle pitting the cities against the county, House said, he would prefer that they work out a solution.

County Attorney John Cafferty said Friday he’s not aware of an appeal.

Commissioners Rich Piazza and Todd Tondee said they don’t think the church’s septic system will harm the aquifer, and the church is in the community’s best interest.