"The nicest thing about the promise of Spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it."
OLD BUSINESS:
Exactly one year ago, February 1984, John Hisada of the Washington State Fish and Game Dept. and Dr. Alien Scholtz, biologist from Eastern Washington University, attended the DLPOA board meeting to present a fish and water quality study proposal involving both Loon and Deer Lakes. Today, it appears the study has the support of both property owner organizations, albeit, for different reasons. Much of the esoteric language can be dispensed with for clarity - Loon Lake interests are best served by learning why the Kokanee do not reach adult size. Deer Lake residents would benefit more from a limnological report that spells out the biological, chemical and physical quality of its water.
Each organization will spend approximately $3600 for some meaningful information relating to the dual problem. There are specific details that will require very specific answers from the joint venture. Water quality studies alone can cost as much as twenty-five to forty thousand dollars. A comparative study of both lakes, simultaneously, will be something of a first. The game dept., working in close relationship with a local university, has not been a reality in this state for many years, if ever. Loon Lake and Deer Lake jointly involved in anything is refreshing. If our perception was on target, summer will find some strange activity on both lakes at several different times. These people will be taking samplings of water, plant life, fish species and natural food in both bodies of Water.
SUBURBAN WATER HEARINGS:
The Suburban Water Company of Spokane filed for another rate increase with the Public Utilities and Transportation Commission. This company is the vendor for much of the Southwood Shore community and Swanson's Addition. Dave Nixon attended the preliminary hearings in December and reported several inconsistencies in the testimony of Suburban Water Co. officials. A local survey was conducted by a group of year 'round residents to use for rebuttal of the water company's initial arguments. Their claim included a proposal of 45 increases for those customers served by their system. The last increase granted to them was in March of 1984 - an 18 increase. $10.38 per month, up from $8.77. Now their 45 increase request has been slightly watered down (no pun intended) to 23. The monthly fee for water will now be about $12.77 per month.
The strange part of this entire procedure was the fact that the Commission actually agreed to the 23 increase before the February 5th final hearing - figure that one out!! ... Rebellion anyone?
Thank you Dave for a valiant effort!!
TRI-COUNTY HEALTH - ECOLOGY:
At November's DLPOA board meeting Jim Matsiyama and Dr. Gray from the Tri-County Health Dept. were invited guests to explain some of the so-called "regulations" and to help us in the effort to undo a very blatant violation of a septic tank installation on the east side of the lake. Pictures, measurements and documentation of the incident were reviewed. Mr. Matsiyama and Dr. Gray understood our dismay, were sympathetic to our position and made some very salient points but were not able to offer a solution. In the particular area of this violation there are some private wells polluted beyond domestic use. We are not suggesting this particular septic tank is the cause, but it points toward the reason domestic water is becoming polluted. The acquifer is being penetrated by that type of irresponsible disregard for the law.
"You just can't get there from here" is what our enforcement officials seem to tell us.
Dr. Gray made one irrefutable and very memorable statement, '' Even the properly installed and properly functioning septic system is a source of pollution. Nitrates and phosphates still drain, ultimately, into the lake." "Sewering is the only solution for preserving this, or any other lake." ..... Today a well? Tomorrow a lake?
"The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides." - HENRY AMIEL
SEWER STUDY:
On January 9th Dick Price, PUD Engineer, attended the DLPOA board meeting to update the board on the feasibility of a sewage system for Deer Lake. Basically, what they have done in this study is to modify the original facilities plan drawn in 1976. This plan will be submitted to the Washington State Dept. of Ecology for approval.
Funding is not as easily arranged now as it was in the 70's, but there are some financing methods available. Normally, funding from government agencies is limited to the treatment plant and the main collector lines. Septic tanks, pumps, and connector laterals must be paid for by the property owner. Projected costs are estimated at $3.6 million. Per lot costs at $3600. Monthly maintenance and operation fees $9 to $10 per month. As additional information becomes available we will publish it in this Newsletter. After all of the facts are known the decision must then be put to a vote of all property owners. The work being done thus far has been conducted by the Stevens County P.U.D. When the study package is completed the question will then be decided by ballot.
DEER LAKE FIRE DEPT.:
In the fall Newsletter we were led to believe that additional equipment would be forthcoming for the growing need in this community - now it appears that issue has been placed in abeyance. Our fire truck #151 ("Big Red") has subsequently had additional pump and engine work done and is now back in the station house. Looking toward the future, DLPOA emergency service chairman, Jerry Linton and board members on that committee are continuing efforts to update rolling stock along with investigating possibilities of expanding the station for garage space, training and meeting room. These proposals take time and much "homework." Rest assured, the need is recognized and people are working on the problem. Politics are involved and money is an issue.
Quetta Collins, Fire Chief, reported the department has lost a firefighter. Margo Wood submitted her resignation and the department is sorry to lose her from their group. The department and the community extend their thanks for her service and support. Quetta is in need of firefighters to fill vacancies, if anyone out there has a desire to serve the community this is an opportunity to become involved. Quetta can be reached at 233-2171.
Remember when? -- The Department distributed about 65 of the large, dry chemical fire extinguishers to year 'round residents -- Quetta wants to remind you that when that extinguisher was checked out to you a responsibility for maintaining it was automatically assumed. If you have one, please check it for working condition, is it full? General Fire Equipment Co. at 535-4255 services these. There is a list of people who possess these extinguishers at the fire station. The Deer Lake firefighters responded to 10 fire calls and three first-aid emergencies in 1984.
LOON LAKE FIRE DEPT.:
Fire Chief Roy Russell reported to Jerry Linton that the Loon Lake Department now responds jointly with the Deer Park Ambulance on all calls north of the highway weighing station located between Deer Park and Clayton. The Emergency Medical Technicians (E.M.T.) team and the Loon Lake firefighters have attended training classes on the EKG portable heart monitor unit. Constant changes and updates in emergency techniques make this a must. The sophistication of these community volunteers says a lot for technology, but much, much more about those who sacrifice themselves In their dedication to their neighbors in this community, as well as those unfortunate strangers in trouble on the highways. What a team they are! We've seen them in action, their effectiveness is superb, especially when reinforced by "Lifebird" and other agencies.
No one likes to see accidents happen, but in an area such as ours, something is always happening, due to high commuting mileage and the recreational potential of this rural living. These people are there when needed volunteering every skill they have - support them in their fund-raising dinners and the Loon's Day Walk. A large share of their equipment comes from the "self help" generated here in Loon Lake and Deer Lake.
There are neighbors among us now, that 10 years ago, would have been a statistic in the mortality column. They owe their lives to the intrepidy of the Emergency Medical squads. When you're out here in the "Boondocks" they are your one best hope. Let's all help keep them a viable, well equipped department, by giving them the kind of support they need. Loon Lake responded to 48 aid calls in 1984. The fire calls we failed to log.
LAW ENFORCEMENT & SECURITY:
At this writing the only breakins we are aware of, occurred on the east side. We understand the local Sheriff's deputy may have that one resolved as it was local people involved. The Explorer Scouts will be making annual rounds on Feb. 24th checking cabins for signs of illegal entry. One deterrent this winter, in much of the area, has been the inordinate amount of snow - not even thieves are willing to work that hard.
"Universal Peace sounds ridiculous to the head of an average family."
ROAD MAINTENANCE:
Les Schneider had tittle to report since road maintenance has been a little slow the past two or three months.
Grading and culvert work on Southwood Shores road is again on the hoped for improvements in 1985. The people in Gardner addition and those on the south side have learned to eat dust as a part of the summer diet ..... maybe someday. Load restrictions will need to be put on very shortly, as logging trucks will break up what blacktop we have in very short order.
WINTER AT THE LAKE:
This has not been an easy one compared to the recent average. Roofs have had to be shoveled Ice has raised hob with eaves and shingles. Driveways have been plowed shut and there's not much room to put any more snow.
The novelty of oil lamps and fireplace cooking wore off about two and a half hours after the first tree went through the power line. The entire area except for isolated areas experienced power outages that lasted several days. The W.W.P. Co. sent letters to many explaining their intentions to dispose of downed trees and limbs in the spring.
The gray overcast, day after day, seemed to cause a general depression in everyone. This must be what Siberia is like!
Snowmobilers were surprised this year as the local gendarmes decided to enforce the licensing and operating requirements more vigorously than in the past. The law allows properly licensed snow sleds use of the county roads if operated in single file. Some non-believers paid hefty fines ($50).
Deer Lake Property Owners:
The Deer Lake Property Owners Association and the Public Utility District No. 1 of Stevens County are now actively working on a revised design and revised cost estimates for a lake-wide sewer system. The last years D.L.P.O.A. NEWS LETTER publication have contained articles on the progress.
The new design is based on a low-pressure septic tank-effluent pump (STEP) collection system, with no pipelines to be located on the beaches of the lake* Every dwelling will (there will probably be a few exceptions) have a septic tank and a small pump that will force the septic tank effluent into 2" to 6" low-pressure collection lines located mainly in the roadways. The advantages of this type of collection system are a much lower initial installation cost and a more environmentally sound system since the main collection lines will be located away from the lake. The proposed treatment and disposal method is aerated lagoons and spray irrigation - no change from prior designs.
The current total estimated construction cost is 5.6 million dollars. This amounts to approximately 85,600 per lot, of which approximately one-half is for "on site" work including a septic tank, effluent pump, electrical controls and wiring, and the service line to the road. These "on site" costs will vary depending upon the physical conditions of each individual lot such as, steepness, presence of rock where excavation must occur, presence and size of trees, distance from dwelling to main collection line in road, etc. Therefore the current plan is that the actual costs of completing the "on site" work on each lot will be charged to that lot (instead of averaging these costs over all of the lots on the entire system). Vacant lots will not be required to have the "on site" work done at the time of construction, but can wait until the lot is built on.
All lots (vacant and built on) will be required to pay a portion of the "off site" work estimated at Sl,o00 per lot (one-half of the 85,600 total cost) which includes the collection lines in the roads, main pumping stations (not the individual pumps on each lot), treatment lagoons, and the irrigation system.
The monthly operation and maintenance costs are estimated at $8.50 to $10.00 per month for a residential dwelling.
It appears that there will be some grant money available for the project. The actual amount cannot be determined until the revision we are now working on to the 1976 study is completed, and the revision cannot be completed until at least one public hearing has been conducted. Therefore, two public hearings have been scheduled to discuss the sewer system. The public hearings will be held at the following times and places:
April l6th 7:50 P.M. Loon Lake Grade School
May 28th 7:50 P.M. Loon Lake Grade School
The purpose of the first hearing will be to discuss the proposed system with public involvement so that the report can be completed. The second hearing will be to receive comments on the report itself, which will be available from the Loon Lake Office of the P.U.D. after April 25rd.
You are encouraged to attend both of these hearings. If you cannot attend, you are encouraged to send your written comments to D.L.P.O.A. at least three days before the meeting date. Because of the cost of mailings you will not receive additional written notification of these two meetings.
P.U.D. No. 1 of Stevens County
Lloyd Henry, Chairman
James Berger, Commissioner