Senate committee hears four gubernatorial appointees to lake and water boards; Priest Lake gates and aquifer transparency raised

The Senate Resources Committee on Oct. 24 took testimony from four gubernatorial appointees to water and lake commissions, hearing local concerns about aging dam gates at Lake Pend Oreille and questions about groundwater recharge transparency and cloud-seeding programs.

Appointees introduced themselves and described their backgrounds and priorities. The committee did not vote on confirmations at this meeting; witnesses were introduced and committee members asked questions that the committee said would be followed up at a subsequent meeting when confirmation votes typically occur.

What appointees said

Linda Mitchell — Pend Oreille, Priest, Lakes and Rivers Commission Linda Mitchell, who told the committee she has served on the Pend Oreille, Priest, Lakes and Rivers Commission since its inception “almost 22 years ago,” said the commission’s most urgent issue is the condition of dam gates on Lake Pend Oreille. “We have one of our gates, get cracks in it. And this was discovered last year. It's cracks in the steel. That's a very serious issue,” Mitchell said. She said the gates were designed for a 50-year lifespan and are now about 70 years old and that replacement of all gates is necessary. Mitchell told senators that…