February 1987
Dlpoa was founded in 1974 with 17 members.
Narrows Headland Property Purchased Bill Paton, president
22 acres of land immediately adjacent to the Deer Lake narrows and between the lake and the present cattle ranch were purchased by DLPOA on December 20, 1986 at a special board meeting. Asked price was $30,000. The board negotiated the price down to $18,500 plus closing costs. To put the needed improvements on the property, $10,000 more is needed.
During the past 5 years more than 650 head of cattle have been grazing in this area each year. The nutrients from their wastes were seeping into Deer Lake, increasing alge growth and destroying the drinking water quality of the lake. It was imperative that this be stopped. DLPOA's buying the land, creating a buffer zone out of it (which will act as a sponge) was the only way to correct the problem.
The board's decision to do this was a courageous one. Please do your part by helping to pay off the bank loan made for the purchase. Your contribution will be an investment in your own Deer Lake property because a lake used as a sewer will eventually die, and who wants to swim or fish in a sewer?
The Deer Lake Volunteer Fire Department wants to raise money to help pay for the "save the lake" land purchase. There will be an All you can Eat spaghetti feed, May 23, 1987, $2.50 donation.
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Emergency Services, by Jerry Linton
We would like to bring you up to date on the latest developments on expansion of the Deer Lake fire station. The past several months the Deer Lake Fire Department, DLPOA, and the Stevens County Fire Commissioners District #3 have been working together to make the station expansion possible.
Quetta Collin, fire chief of the Deer Lakie fire station, and Ken Barker, assistant fire chief, presented a rough drawing of the station expansion to the Fire Commissioners. They suggested some minor changes and asked for a formal drawing.
Jody Schmitt, a Spokane County school designer, completed the drawings, which were given to the commissioners at one of their meetings. They approved these drawings with the exception of a few changes, which will be drawn up for final completion soon.
Steve Sife, a fire commissioner, told us that after receiving the assessor's report, the commissioners will be able to file their own budget. He recently told us that the funds have been budgeted for our fire station expansion. The commissioners will get the plans out for bids before the ground thaws this spring. Construction could possibly start in late spring.
We think this is wonderful news, something that we have been working on for months. Our thanks to all concerned for their time and effort in helping to make this project a reality. We are certain it will be put to good use in the years to come.
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Emergency Services (continued) by Quetta Collins, fire chief
In December four members of the fire department completed the "First Responder Course". These members are: Ken Barker, Lew Houdak, Claire Houdak and Gerry Block. We are very pleased to have this added First Aid training as part of our station.
Deer Lake cookbooks are now available from any member. Cost is $5 each.
Sixteen members of your fire station have put in lots of volunteer hours to serve you all the year round. We hear from time to time, "Gee, I didn't know you people were here." We are, so please don't forget about us if you need help.
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Firewood Cutting by Clair and Lew Houdak
Thanks again to Boise-Cascade and to Kevin Eddings for allowing us to cut firewood on their property. It is appreciated.
The season was cut short due to the warm and dry summer. 49 members of DLPOA sent in request cards for wood cutting. Some folks sent in cards sho had NOT paid DLPOA dues,k so "no paid dues, no wood to cut!". 26 people showed up to cut wood. Approximately 50 cords were cut.
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Legislative By Clair N. Jones
Goal: to protect the lake from environmental depredation by exploring every governmental way possible to help accomplish this.
How: by contacting personally or through writing elected officials and agencies fo federal, state and county governments who might help.
When: Autumn 1986. Letter written to US Senator Dan Evans by Stevens County PUD member Bert Shaber outlining obstacles DLPOA encountered in trying to get funding for a Deer Lake sewer system.
Result: Senator Evans wrote Wash State EPA inquiring abou the obstacles it has made. EPA answered the senator by letter and mailed a copy of it to Stevens County PUD. Your legislative committee is not happy with this reply and has just sent letters requesting help to Washington State senators Barr and Stratton and representatives Bristow and Fuhrman.
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Water Safety by Howard Whorle
Accidents: None
Sheriff's Boat hours on lake: 125+
59 warning stops made for Skiing in wrong direction, no lights at night, speeding at night, speeding in public access area, skiing with no observer, skiing inside buoys.
DLPOA installed aluminum framed water ordinance sighs at all boat launching areas.
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Lake Beautification By Ben Rasley
The lake beautification project will resume again as soon as weather permits. The signs have all been repainted. The area around the signs will be cleared. It has not been decided whether to leave the area natural or to landscape it.
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DLPOA pays $500 reward
In October 1986 DLPOA issued a $500 check to an informant whose information led to the apprehension and conviction of two teenage boys who had burglarized several Deer Lake homes. President Bill Paton said, "This program shows that membership in our association works. Its pretty cheap insurance, too, at only $12/year dues. More thievery around the lake could be cut down if more people would get involved."
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Road Maintenance by Inga Lord
This time of year its too cold for me to check on road maintenance. I've had one phone call about plowing. Stevens County has done a good job of keeping the roads plowed and sanded. Just think of all the miles the roadmen have to service! However, we naturally hope the crews will start at Deer Lake first!
One good thing I've noticed is that around Gardner Acres the tall weeds have been mowed down by the snow plows!
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Water Quality By Jerry McBride
There was a considerable amount of activity related to water quality in the last half of 1986. Results were mixed. Here is a summary:
Sewer System: Not much progress made. Money is getting tighter and more people are asking for available money. DLPOA and Stevens County PUD are jointly pursuing funding through the Wash. State Dept of Ecology. Deer Lake is not listed as having a need for a sewer system in DPE's draft report, but this doesn't guarantee any funding. We are exploring any and all means to pay for this project.
Statewide Lake Association formed. 6 DLPOA members attended the first meeting in Ellensburg on October 3rd. Our delegation was the largest there!
Purchase of Narrows land. Deer Lake has 2 main sources of pollution: septi systems and runoff from pastures at end of narrows. Purchase of these 22 acres means pollution to the lake can be reduced two ways: Cattle will no longer be pastured there, and if properly ditched this land will absorb pollution coming down from streams above the 22 acres. We are seeking technical assistance on the best ways to use this land to reduce pollution and also to promote wildlife habitat.
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DLPOA Officers:
Following is a list of the DLPOA leaders. They are a great and hard-working group. Feel free to contact them with any questions or comments you might have.
DLPOA-OFFICERS
BOARD MEMBERS & THEIR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS