DEER LAKE NEWSLETTER
BOX 250, LOON LAKE, WA 99148
DEER LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Published maybe 3 times a year
Fall 2007 (#3) WWW.DLPOA.COM
Dedicated to the preservation and improvement of a beautiful lake for future generations
STATE OF THE LAKE ADDRESS
By Larry Nokes
A s 2007 winds to a close it is time to reflect on the year and look at 2008 and beyond. I think the summer was great with good weather and warm water the lake was very enjoyable. With the exception of the normal crazy weekends the lake didn’t seem too busy and was fun to be on. The lake level didn’t drop quite as bad as last year but was still down some. This was discussed at the board meeting and several conclusions have been drawn about the level. First consideration is that with the installation of the sewer system and the increased number of residences on the lake water that used to flow back into the lake from the septic systems is being sent away. Another consideration is the number of residences drawing water out of the lake for irrigation. This is only legal if water rights are attached to your property which can be determined by looking at your title. This is not a consequential amount but every little bit is important. The final thing to consider is how the lake gets its water. Since there is no major surface source for water, the only source is springs, surface runoff, and other subsurface water. We had a fairly wet spring but not much of a snowpack so the amount of water to recharge the lake was considerably less than normal. At this time we are considering options that might help maintain the lake level so stay tuned for information in future newsletters regarding what might be done.
There has been quite a bit of logging done around the lake in the past couple years and there is concern about soil erosion flowing into the lake. We are watching this and are in communication with the authorities regarding this matter. On the west side of the narrows numerous 20 acre parcels have been surveyed and are presently for sale which is a concern because of the narrow access to the sites. We can only watch and report any problems that might develop from improvements made to these sites. On the east side of the narrows a developer is considering a fairly major development of condominiums which we are closely monitoring.
The other “ugly item” that we are presently dealing with is the arrival of Eurasian milfoil in the lake. We have been anticipating and watching for this for some time now and seem to have a good handle on it. Again refer to a following article regarding this matter.
Traffic and speeding around the lake is always a problem and we contacted with the Stevens Co. Sheriff’s office about this and they increased patrols around the lake, issuing numerous citations and have assured us they will continue this. It is important for us to help them as much as possible. If you see a speeder or other infraction occur and can get a license number or other information and contact their office they have assured us they will follow up.
Not all is bad at the lake. Lots of good and fun things happened this year. From dock demo day to the Fourth of July Celebration to our continued clean water Deer Lake is still a great place. As always is the case more involvement by more residents, both full and part-time, will insure that the good work that DLPOA is doing will continue. If you have any interest in becoming a board member, or would like to help on any of the committees, or would like to attend any of the board meetings they are held the second Thursday of the month September through May, excluding December, at the Salvation Army Camp Gifford at 7:00P.M. Please read your newsletters and become involved. If you have any questions about anything happening around the lake feel free to contact any of the board members.
Sincerely,
Larry Nokes, Your DLPOA Prez.
FOURTH OF JULY
by Larry Nokes
Well I think we had another successful Fourth of July. The fireworks got rave reviews, even though some didn’t like the location. The boat parade, smaller this year because of the midweek date, appeared to be great fun for all that participated and the kid’s parade was bigger than ever. The pancake feed was well attended and was great fun. Dates and times for next year’s events are still to be determined so if you have a preference please let it be known.
One thing we are considering is relocating the fireworks back to the middle of the lake. Logistically this is a major undertaking and additional participation will be necessitated. If you would like to see the display back in the middle of the lake please consider volunteering to help. Regardless of where the display is held something needs to be done with the docks. One thing we are considering is trying to get some people that might be considering a new dock to co-op that dock with DLPOA. What DPLOA would do is to participate with the homeowners on the cost of the dock in exchange for use of the dock for the couple days needed for the display. Exactly the degree of participation is still up for discussion. If this is something you might be interested in please contact me and we will put you in the loop. There is no damage done to the docks by the fireworks, all of the munitions are launched from tubes supplied by the pyrotechs and they have bottoms so nothing burns or marks the docks.
Over the winter details and dates will be firmed up so you can plan to participate with the Lake on the National Birthday. Read your newsletters for upcoming information
Editor’s Note – Pictures of the boat parade can be found on the web site at
www.dlpoa.com/thumbnails . Click on any picture to see it in a larger size.
by Mike Phillips
A nasty weed called Eurasian Milfoil recently infected our lake. It is similar to our native milfoil but much more invasive. It was found on Aug. 1st by the Dept. of Ecology. They sent out a contracted lady to pull weeds around the lakeshore and determine what species they were. She used a boat and a double-sided rake if you can picture that. She threw it into the lake, and then drug it along the bottom for a short distance. She pulled it out and inspected the plant life. The Eurasian milfoil she found was in the very northern part of the narrows, just south of the property owned by DLPOA.
We knew it was going to get in the lake eventually. We have been surveying the shoreline for several years so we could catch it in its early stage.
The way we will handle the problem is a step-by-step process. I sent samples of the Eurasian milfoil and the native species to DOE and the University of Idaho. U of I does a DNA analysis for a small fee. It came back positive for Eurasian milfoil. The DOE said grants are available to try to keep the weed under control. I went to a workshop put on by the DOE to learn what the process is to do a grant request. I will have completed the grant by the time this letter gets into the newsletter. After the county gets a copy to review they will have a commissioner sign it. It will then be sent to the DOE. If they award the grant then a contract will be made between the county and the DOE. The county will handle the grant money, with the weed board overseeing the process. DLPOA will do whatever is needed, such as getting volunteers to help look for milfoil.
The grant will not be executed until after we do this year’s work. The beginning date of the grant, should it be awarded, will be Jan. 1, 2008. The grant is a matching one but DLPOA will only be responsible for 12½ % of the cost. The DOE grant will pay the rest up to $10,000 per year for 5 years. The grant will also pay for surveying and mapping to make sure we have it under control. The grant is for 5 years. After that we will have to compete with other lakes for grants through a bidding process.
In October we will use divers and a barge type vessel to pull the weeds by hand and suck them into the barge. They will be disposed of away from the lake so we don’t spread the weed.
We are somewhat lucky that our prevailing winds will probably keep the milfoil at the top of the narrows unless a boat hooks some and redistributes it somewhere else. It will take one or two days to do the pulling at a cost to DLPOA of $1200 to $2400. Ace Diving, owned by Doug Freeland is doing the work this year. He is also going to do another survey of the shoreline to see if he can find anymore milfoil.
We will never be able to remove all of it completely. If it spreads out of control we will have to establish a lake management district and tax property owners to pay for more extensive control procedures.
If there are any questions please come to our meetings as other people probably have some of the same ones. You may also call or e-mail your questions to me. Mike Phillips 233-2510 or skipper (at) webband.com.
P.S. Doug Freeland just finished a daylong hunt for milfoil. He only found three plants. One was a little further south but still in the narrows. It was on the west side in front of the long line of houses. I don’t have an exact location as this info came by phone and I don’t have the official report from Doug. The others were at the very north of the narrows. The plants are starting to go dormant for the winter. This means they are lying down and are much harder to find. We will do more surveying in the spring. I will keep everyone informed as this situation develops. I will have info put on the website.
Development in the Narrows
Two of our board members, Mauri Paul and Jim Santora, have been following the progress of a couple of development projects planned and to some extent started in the Narrows. These developments would be on the hillsides above the narrows, not on the lake itself. They would go where the recent logging has taken place.
There is not a lot of official information available. There are lots of rumors. There is one piece of concrete information, and that is a formal request from one of the developers for PUD hookups for up to 50 Condos on the East side of the narrows. PUD has responded essentially that they Can do it, but yet to be determined is if they Will do it. We are not aware of any permits being pulled, or if any of several other bureaucratic hoops that need to be jumped have even been hopped yet..
Mr Paul and Mr Santora are sending emails to interested people as they find out hard facts. They are in close contact with the planning department of Stevens County, and PUD, and any other agencies that they can think of who would be involved in a project of this magnitude.
If you wish to be put on their mailing list, then please contact them at
Jim Santora 509-233-8300, deerlaker (at) msn.com
Mauri Paul 509-995-7476, mahooses (at) yahoo.com
While they are both board members, DLPOA as an organization is taking no position on these developments, other than to report on what they are doing. Discussions of these and other items of interest always come up at our board meetings, held the 2nd Thursday of most months at the Salvation Army Camp on the West side of the lake. Everybody is welcome to come to those meetings, share knowledge, share history, and of course, most importantly, share in cookies and juice if the Newsletter Guy’s Wife reminds him to bring this stuff to the meeting. Summaries of these meetings are presented (with, sadly, a month’s delay) at www.dlpoa.com/boardnotes.htm.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
By Gerry Block
D ear neighbors and friends of the Deer Lake community. Fall is my very favorite time of the year. The trees are beginning to show the magnificent colors of a seasonal change and the air is crisp and the temps are very tolerable. The recent rains have lowered the immediate fire danger. However, remember some basics tips to avoid a fire tragedy:
1. Never leave any fire unattended. That includes debris piles, campfires, and especially food on the stove!
2. Make sure ashes are “soaking wet” out. Fireplace ashes need to go in a metal can, be soaking wet out and placed away from any combustible surface.
3. If you use candles, be sure they are not placed on or near combustible items and don’t leave them unattended.
I hope you remember our young neighbor, Jace Hovda. Jace worked at our fire station, fulfilling his community service, earning merits towards his Eagle Scout rank. Jace fulfilled his requirements for his promotion and we applaud all that he did, to make the improvements at Station #5. The sign will probably outlast all of us!
The volunteers and staff of SCFD#1 wish to thank the gentleman that made a very generous contribution for an “appreciation picnic” on Sept. 8th. Our volunteers and staff work very hard to keep our fire district “top notch”. JC Chambers, ST. #5, did a great job on the purchasing and cooking, BBQ style, for the event. Don Stragis, Captain of St. #5, donated several hours of lake time, for boat rides and tubing. Thanks to everyone for participating in the appreciation picnic!
This past summer, SCFD#1 held one of the water rescue classes here at Deer Lake. It was a pleasure to offer our property, for part of the class. After witnessing some of the antics of the wave runners and boats pulling tubers, I am very grateful that our EMS personnel keep updated on water rescue.
The driver of any boat is responsible for the observation of any potential incidents, regarding a foreward-side safety issue. The job of the boat/safety flag person is to notify the boat driver of a “fall” of the skier/rider. In a second, a life threatening accident may occur!
Our new Fire Chief, Mark Beck, is exactly what we need for SCFD#1. I was fortunate to meet him at St. #5, when he made a grand sweep of our station. He looked, listened, and visualized the needs for our station. Has anyone noticed the new signs at St. #5? Volunteers are needed!
When I happen to be at an event concerning SCFD#1, I am approached by several individuals. These folks are concerned, regarding volunteering for the Deer Lake community. I know that these community members are well qualified, within their own fire districts. If one is serious about volunteering for SCFD#1, please call the district office, 262-9660 +0. This also reminds me of the more than well qualified EMS residents of the community. Please let your first responders know your qualifications! We have doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, paramedics, pharmacists, in our very own community. ASK FOR HELP AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!
See you in the spring.
Current Board Members of DLPOA
Officers
President Larry Nokes
Vice President Mike Phillips
Treasurer Mike Egan
Secretary -open-
Board Members
Bill Bajadali Maurice Paul Darrell Rung
Gerry Block George Renner Jim Santora
John Gregerson Ken Ring Ivy Shaw
Ken Rozelle
From the New Treasurer
H ello everyone, Mike Egan here. I am the new DLPOA treasurer.
I would like to thank George Renner for the easy transition to this post. George did a fine job and I intend on doing the same. As treasurer I will keep a watchful eye on DLPOA finances and report at monthly meetings.
Thanks to all board members for their support and trust. Snow is about to fly, see you at our meetings
Traffic Observations
by Darrell Rung
Many Deer lake residents are growing more concerned about speeders. Though the primary speed limit is 20 MPH, throughout much of our area we have drivers exceeding that speed by 20 to 50 MPH. The county states that these roads are not heavily traveled enough to warrant an all out assault on speeders and that we have more than enough 20 MPH signs.
I am looking into flashing yellow lights that would attach to the top of each sign at the main entry to the two major roads. Also we can buy our own 20 MPH signs and attach them to trees or fence posts on our property in the hopes of slowing the bad guys down. They will cost about $35 and will look just like the real thing. If you are interested call me at 233-2559.
If you spot a real culprit and are lucky enough to get a license number and description of the car..........Please call 911 quickly. If any of you have an idea about slowing the bad guys down, please call me. I get the impression the county has tossed our problem into our court to resolve as best as we can. The sad part of the issue is someone is going to get run over if the problem isn't resolved.
Fishing
by Jim Santora
I had to release my fish very early this summer because of low and very warm water. I get my winter batch of 15,000 Rainbows on October 23. I hope everyone had a good fishing year and hope 2008 will be as good or better.
Coming Events:
Board Meeting Thursday November 87PM
Board Meeting Thursday January 10 7PM
Board Meeting Thursday February 14 7PM
Board Meeting Thursday March 13 7PM
Board Meeting Thursday April 10 7PM
Board Meeting Thursday May 8 7PM
For a list of board members and their assignments, please see our web site at www.dlpoa.com/officers
This newsletter put together by Dennis DeMattia 926-8848 demattia(at)acm.org
Deer Lake Property Owners Association
Box 250
Loon Lake, Wa 99148-0250