Moyie extends emergency order

MOYIE SPRINGS — The city has extended its emergency declaration for another 60 days, saying more time was needed to repair the waterline, which caused a landslide on March 23. An emergency declaration expires after 60 days, and so a second declaration was necessary.

On May 23, the Moyie City Council held a special meeting to extend the declaration. On March 23, the city’s waterline broke, prohibiting the city from accessing its own water supply, which could threaten residents’ health and well-being and hamper fire protection efforts due to a lack of water.

After the city declared a state of emergency on March 25, Moyie residents have been asked to limit water use, including not watering their yard or vehicles, and running small loads of laundry instead of larger loads. 

Moyie Springs has been purchasing water from the Three Mile Water District on a temporary basis. At this time the city is still in the process of building the waterline, but work has been delayed due to red tape and easement process. 

Moyie Public Works Superintendent John Nelson said work to install and bury the new waterline should only take 30 hours of work, over three or four days. However, the city is waiting to finalize an easement with Idaho Forestry Group before starting work. 

Councilman Les Love added the project is also waiting for the Idaho Department of Environmental Equality permission to start putting in the waterline. However, Councilman Terry Johnson noted DEQ officials can’t approve the work until the easement is finalized. 

Nelson said after talking with Three Mile Water District, there is enough water to service Moyie Springs, however with summer coming, high water usage goes up. The project needs to be completed by June 23, city officials said.

Last week DEQ announced the award of a $130,840 low-interest drinking water construction loan to the city of Moyie Springs. The funds from DEQ’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which is capitalized annually by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provides funding with no repayment obligation. The favorable loan terms represent a $220,135 savings to the community when compared to average costs for municipal general obligation debt issuances.

The council also discussed taking advantage of construction on U.S. 2 to install a pipe casing under the road to enclose a water pipe in the future. The city has already budgeted for the expense this year and had hoped to have it part of the overall highways project. It is estimated that the cost for the casing will be $100 per foot. 

Mayor Geoff Hollenbeck said it will be an expensive project, but would cost more later and would require part of the highway to be removed. 

Saturday, June 8 is City Clean Up Day where residents and city officials clean up the town. Those interested should meet at City Hall on June 8 at 8 a.m., and bring water, work clothes and gloves. 

Volunteers will pick up garbage, do yard work and haul or remove unwanted items from city residents. There will also be a community potluck at noon at the City Hall. 

For information, call 208-267-5161.