Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how the bill to eliminate all of the Panhandle Health District's sewage and water-quality rules was scaled back today; the district includes the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a huge underground lake that's the sole source of drinking water for 400,000 people in both Washington and Idaho. "This was a compromise that we agreed to," said Dale Peck, environmental response and technology director for Panhandle Health. "It's certainly a much better alternative than moving HB 667 forward in its original form."

North Idaho lawmakers are steamed at the district for what they see as over-zealous regulation of  waterfront building. Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, said he spoke out about his own battle with the district over expanding his riverfront home during a public meeting last week at which Panhandle Health Director Jeanne Bock was in attendance; "I got kinda in Jeanne's face, Nonini-style," he said. Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd, D-Prichard, said she did the same. "I came down hard on Panhandle Health - they know where I stand," she said. "I think they have been abusive. I think with this series of meetings we've had, that they know we mean it."

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