Washington City Turns Down Lab Tunnel Proposal
Posted on: Thursday, 14 July 2005, 07:13 CDT
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) -- The Leavenworth City Council has voted down a proposal from the University of Washington to build a $300 million science lab under Mount Cashmere, 9 miles west of this Cascade Mountain resort town.
The council voted 7-0 Tuesday, after tallying public opinion from petitions and public testimony, during which 3,205 people spoke against the lab and nine supported it.
The National Science Foundation will narrow a field of eight potential study sites to three later this month, John Wilkerson, a UW physics professor who supports the project, said at the meeting.
Despite the council vote, that list may still include Mount Cashmere.
The lab would conduct research in physics, astrophysics, earth science and geomicrobiology, studying particles from the sun, the formation of minerals and hydrology inside the Earth and microbial life deep underground.
An abandoned gold mine in South Dakota had been the NSF's preferred site, but flooding there slowed movement on that option. In 2004, the foundation announced plans to reopen the application process.
Mayor Mel Wyles cautioned that while the council took a stand against the lab, they have no official say in whether it is eventually built near Leavenworth. The decision will be made by the federal government, he said.
A final site may not be chosen until 2008.
Wilkerson said county, state and national interests have to be considered along with Leavenworth's. In January, the Port of Chelan County voted to support the proposal.
At the council meeting, Wyles said the council had been besieged by townspeople over the issue.
"But they listened to you. This council has done what you've asked," Wyles said.
"The council must, in good faith, acknowledge the general will of the community," Councilman Rob Eaton, a vocal lab supporter, said after the meeting.
"We've won a little battle here. But we still have a whole war to fight," said lab opponent Marshall West of Leavenworth.
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Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenworld.com/
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