Briefs November 5, 2010

Litigation delays talks on water swap

COEUR d'ALENE - Pending litigation is holding up any possible trade talks between Coeur d'Alene and the Powderhorn Ranch Inc. subdivision regarding water rights.

The Coeur d'Alene City Council agreed Tuesday night to table any talks until the litigation, recently filed by a group of Harrison residents, is settled.

Powerderhorn Ranch, a 2,000-acre property with plans to develop 1,300 luxury houses with three golf courses in a gated community, had approached Coeur d'Alene requesting the development trade its aquifer rights, near Rathdrum, for Coeur d'Alene's surface rights on the lake.

Coeur d'Alene draws its water supply from the aquifer but owns rights to around 12 million gallons of water per day from the lake. Powerderhorn, which is across Lake Coeur d'Alene from Harrison, would likely use the water as irrigation to free up its drinking supply.

But a group of citizens filed suit last week to prevent the city of Harrison from annexing the Powderhorn Ranch Inc. subdivision.

The litigation claims the property shouldn't be incorporated into the city limits since the two property lot lines don't touch, nor has the annexation received the consent of affected landowners.

Event to help mom with cancer

COEUR d'ALENE - Come help a young mother's fight against cancer.

A fundraiser is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday to raise money for Rathdrum resident Teea Anderson, 26, who was diagnosed with cancer in September.

Teea, wife of Dylan Anderson with three young children, is undergoing medical treatment for her illness. Proceeds raised from the spaghetti dinner and silent auction will go to the family.

Teea, whose maiden name is Stutheit, graduated from Lakeland High School.

A bank account has been set up at Wells Fargo and donations made be made at any branch under: Teea Anderson Benefit Account, Attn: Tracy Hatfield or call 777-3900.

For information or to donate items for Saturday: 651-4314.