DLPOA was organized for the protection and improvement of Deer Lake and it is now time for our membership drive for the 2000/2001 year. We have enclosed a self addressed envelope for your convenience in sending in the $12.00 annual dues which are tax deductible as we are a non-profit organization. Additional contributions are also appreciated.
This membership fee provides funds for improvements and preservation of the lake; funding for water quality testing; and purchase and maintenance of a patrol boat. It also gives the members the opportunity to cut firewood on Boise Cascade land as outlined in the article on page 2 of this newsletter, and lets us communicate with Stevens county on issues that concern us.
We currently have several projects in process and we need your participation and input. These projects include:
We encourage all to attend our board meetings ad 7PM on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Loon Lake Elementary School. We have a beautiful lake and our job is to improve and preserve it. For additional information, contact me at 233-2081, email deerlakeresort@sisna.com, fax 233-8062. Please lend us your support and send in your dues today.
Water quality is judged by scientific means but one of the questions I answer and send to the DOE each month is: How would you rate the recreational quality with respect to clarity? I would appreciate comments from lake users. Is there anything you have trouble with or wonder if anything can be done to improve water quality? Please call me at 233-2510 or email me at skipper@omnicast.net.
We are checking the lake for MILFOIL on a regular basis but we would like your help. If there are any wispy, fine weeds around your dock, take a sample, put them in a baggie with some water, and bring to the DLPOA meeting the second Thursday of each month. Maybe we can relieve some worries about Milfoil.
We have received several calls this summer about swimmer's itch, which is a naturally occurring situation that is harmless. If you get it, take a bath in Epsom salts and that will relieve the itching.
There is a parasite that is found in shallow water that causes the itch. By swimming in deeper water you can greatly improve the situation. The parasite comes from snails on the bottom of the lake. Muskrats eat he snails spreading the parasite into the water. Ducks then swim along in the shallows feeding and stirring up the bottom of the lake which spreads the parasite around. (This is probably more than you want to know.) The snails are actually a good sign of a healthy lake according to the Dept. of Ecology. Thanks to all of you who take an interest in our lake.
June 17,2000 the annual meeting was held. Fran Bessermin talked about the county budget and the problems I-695 created. Some additional funding was received from the state. There is a lake road study ongoing and the county is working on land use and sub-area use plans. Fish are still being released into the lake on a regular basis by our fish pens and the hatcheries. There was a motion to sell the narrows property and after discussion, the motion passed.
Tim Dschaak gave a talk on the possibility of a "No Shooting Zone". There was much discussion on the subject encouraging further study. It was reported that there were 801 people around the lake and dues received from only 272. It was suggested that we monitor development around the lake, and most concern was expressed about logging and large developments. It was noted that there is a need for a boarding dock at the Public Launch. Larry Nokes reported on PWCs. Education is being stressed and we have had less problems than before. There are still some problems but we will continue to work on them. Virgil Standerfer was elected to the board. A picnic was held after the meeting with about 80 people attending.
This is a Thank You! to all the folks who put in hours and hours of work on the Pancake Breakfast, particularly to Rick and Nancy Hurd for chairing this fund raiser for the past several years. Many hours are spent planning and putting this event on. Next year Lori Foreman will be the chairperson (233-8887) and she will welcome anyone that can donate time to this project.
At one time the proceeds went for needed equipment for the Fire Department. The needs have changed and now the purpose is to build a meeting/recreation center on the East side of the lake. This would be a place where all Associations and citizens can meet, where chi8ldren can have Halloween parties, Birthday parties, or just have a game of basketball. The first criteria for getting this project off the ground will be a piece of land central to all of the people on the East side. If you know of anything that would be available, call me at 276-9856. Ideally, a donation of land would be the best. If this is not possible, maybe something for a minimum amount of money could be found. Most of the labor would probably be donated, and supplies could probably be found at a reasonable price.
Again, thanks to everyone responsible for putting the pancake feed together, lets keep up the tradition.
DLPOA receives a permit from Boise Cascade for woodcutting in areas on Boise Cascade land that has ample wood. This is for DLPOA dues paying members only and is behind closed, locked gates. The permit is good from May through the last Sunday before general deer season opens in October.
Contact me, Virgil Standerfer at 233-9178 to set up a time to go in as a group or individually. The fee is $3.00 for the first time only and I will collect at the gate. There are some safety items you must have with you. I will let you know what they are when you call. Plan now for 2001 and if you have questions, call me.
The Fourth of July is probably the one time of year when the lake is most populated with homeowners, guests, and visitors. It might be a time to bring all together and help develop a sense of lake community. There is a feeling among Board Members to try doing something as DLPOA to help in this. Several ideas have been brought up and it would be helpful to see if you, as members, would like to see anything happen. Following are some ideas we have. Your input is encouraged.
One major concern expressed is the shooting of fireworks before and after the Fourth. Those of us who are pet owners are concerned because many of our pets must be tranquilized for the Fourth and the shooting of fireworks before and after creates an unpleasant situation. Courtesy with regard to use of fireworks would be greatly appreciated.
Please take a few minutes to think this over and send your comments to Larry Nokes, 3860 N. Deer Lake Rd, Loon Lake, Wa 99148. Maybe, working together, we can make the Fourth of July at Deer lake a very special occasion for residents and visitors all!
Cooler temperatures and sporadic moisture has announced the coming of fall and, hopefully, the end of wildland fire season. We have been extremely fortunate with low occurrence of fires this year and I would like to think that some of it is attributed to our public's fire prevention efforts as well as a low occurrence of dry lightening. The firefighters and I would like to thank all homeowners who created defensible space around their homes this spring.
As of October 4th, DNR has opened rule burning, which means we can all begin the burn of our yard debris of we follow the residential burning rules:
The coming of Winter marks the beginning of structural fires and prior to using your fireplace or wood stove a home owner should have them inspected and cleaned by a professional service. If you have baseboard heaters, make sure they are free of obstruction and that all furniture and drapes are well away from them. Check your smoke detectors and replace the batteries. There should be one outside each room and in hallways. Review your fire escape plan with your family and practice it to improve your chances of surviving a fire.
With your help, your Fire District is hoping to reduce the number of fires and fire related injuries. For more information, visit our web site www.geocities.com/stevenscountyfiredistrict1