DLPOA Newsletter, Fall 1989

November, 1989

Proposed Deer Lake City

On August 17, 1989, Mr. Dave Burdega, and attorney representing the Concerned Property Owners of Deer Lake, filed a petition with the Stevens County Auditor in Colville to create the City of Deer Lake. The petition was signed by (a lot of people)

Since the Concerned Property Owners have criticized DLPOA for not keeping then informed, you Board of Directors was shocked by this petition since it was originated and presented to the county under a cloud of secrecy. No one from DLPOA was informed of this action prior to its happening nor since it was presented. A second petition was also present3ed, for whatever reason we are not sure. This second petition took the place of the first byt was re-signed by most of the original petitioners. The Stevens County Auditor has verified the signatures as adequate in number and the County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for Monday, November 6, 1989, at 7PM at the Nazarene Church Camp at Deer Lake

Your attendance at this meeting is crucial There are so many factors to discuss and consider informing a city. We are looking forward to hearing from the petitioners as to their reasons for a city and how it is going to be funded. What service will it provide? How will it be managed, and by whom?

The public hearing on November 6 is the next step in the process of incorporation. An election next spring will be held if the County Commissioners approve the petition after the public hearing. The petition itself needs to be voted upon by the registered voters that reside within the proposed boundaries of Deer Lake City. The election would also include candidates for mayor and council, I suppose.

DLPOA will seek legal counsel in conjunction with the proposed petition, but each individual property owner will be impacted by this proposal. This is the time when numbers are important. You need to show up.

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A Message from Your President by Lee Bayley

There are three vital issues facing all property owners at Deer Lake during the Fall of 1989. First, the final review of funding for the Deer Lake sewage disposal system and the contract starting times. Second, the upcoming hearing of the Deer Lake zoning ordinance. Both of these issues were sponsored by DLPOA after over fifteen continuous years of work on their needs and benefits. Everyone must agree that the water quality in Deer Lake needs serious attention and a band-aid application will not resolve our problems. This past summer was the third year of an algae bloom. If you were on the lake during the last weeks of September, you would have seen the lake at its worst. The ultimate dying off of the algae and its accumulation on the lake bottom increases the nutrient loading and furthers the problem for the coming years. This year the algae was present in mid June - three weeks ahead of 1988. Continued warm weather and a long summer with little additional rainfall, making for a lower water level, will create ideal conditions for next year's continued algae growth. The long delays in getting the sewer project started will probably increase costs but , as important, it will also necessitate longer and more costly measures of clean up. The Stevens County PUD has indicated to your Board that the sewer project is going on schedule and that final plans will be sent to DOE for approval the first of November. Contracts should be let in January.

The second project of your Board is the passing of zoning ordinances to insure a manageable plan for future growth that addresses all the problems that collectively have befallen on Deer Lake and led to the water quality problems. The purpose of this ordinance is very simple. It is up to all of us to see that the continued disruption of the shorelines of Deer Lake because of illegal and unmarshalled building stop and a fair and responsible ordinance be in place, further, massive development must be controlled. Waste disposal must be provided for everyone or inadequate systems will continue to haunt us. Hearings are scheduled for December.

Thirdly, and one that I cannot see anything positive about, is a petition by the Concerned Property Owners to form a city of Deer Lake. In the past twenty years, Washington State has only seen three new cities incorporated. All three of these in the last five years and all had larger resident and commercial activity that is needed to financially support the cost of a city. With the limited population for the proposed City of Deer Lake, all owner's property will see a heavy tax burden to provide much less than necessary services that "Stevens County is now providing. We would see decreased police protection, decreased fire protection, costly road maintenance, and no waste disposal. We would also be assured of high costs to hire experienced and trained administrators. Volunteers would have to be utilized in some crucial service areas because of limited available funds.

I would like to be convinced by someone that there is some offsetting value that would be derived from forming a city. It will be most interesting to hear a rational explanation for their petition. I pray that you will be there to get the full impact. It is a shame that many property owners whose primary residence is on Deer Lake are not concerned with their living standards and degrade anyone who tries to improve the enjoyment of their property. When you can't even wash in the tap water, let alone consume it and have no concern that seeing something positive is done, it's not the legacy that should be left on our children and grandchildren because we were not willing to correctly deal with the problem.

Again this is not the time for a tug or war amongst any of us. There are enormous problems before us that will take all of our collective energy to resole. You have been fully appraised of current events and your Board looks for your support and confidence in seeing these projects fulfilled when proven value is shown. There is always room for disagreement, but this should be followed by positive alternative resolutions to the problem. Incorporation of a city has significant ramifications that at this point are unexplained. Think about it and become involved.

Emergency Services Report by Jerry Linton

Quetta Colin, Deer Lake Fire Department Chief, reports that the Deer Lake Fire Department had more calls this year than last, and most of those calls were aid calls. The department responded to a residential fire on "Grote Road and a shop fire at Nite Bird Towing on the North Deer Lake Road.

The department personnel are now attending the Fireman's Fund #1 Training Session, and also two EMTs are receiving training at the Deaconess Hospital.

Deer Lake Zoning Ordinance

Once again we are presenting for your information and future discussion, the entire proposed zoning ordinance that was presented to you in the June 1989 Newsletter. Over a year ago, we had assurances that this proposal would be before the County Commissioners for their action. One can now appreciate the frustrations of eight years of study (since 1981) by members of DLPOA who perceived:

• The need for sewage removal from the lake
• The necessity to provide a plan for the orderly management and building of structures on the shoreline of Deer Lake
• The need for further protection of the water quality since a high majority of residents drink the lake water in an untreated form
• the need to discourage incompatible land uses that affect the natural landscape, and
• the need to deter the continuing encroachment of structures on the shoreline of the lake.

Although we are encouraged by the Stevens County Planning Commission that the Deer Lake Zoning Ordinance is a high priority, its still has not been presented to the Commissioners. I am sure there are some shortcomings with the zoning ordinance and that there are a few of you who live on the lake that can see no reason to clean up your own nest. I can however, be modified in the future to meet new problems as they arise. This zoning ordinance is long past due and is a must if we are to correct the rapid deterioration of our environment. Please review it closely as the proposed time schedule will allow for a public hearing sometime in the early months of 1990.

Update on Sewer System

The PUD is in the process of finalizing the construction plans and specifications for the sewer system. The project will be put out for competitive bids this winter, with construction to begin next Spring. The construction will take two years to complete.

Our application to the State for $1.5 million of 1% Public Works Trust Fund loan funds has been approved by the office staff and the Trust Fund Board. Final approval will be made by the legislature next Spring, which should be automatic. Because of the 1% interest rate, which will result in lower annual payments, this loan is equivalent to approximately a 20% grant on the entire project. These funds will benefit all property owners, regardless of income.

The Block Grant Applications that have been received from property owners have been reviewed by the PUD Board. All the applicants will be receiving letters from the PUD in the near future. Those applicants whose income is determined to be below the "very low" level will have their entire assessment paid in full. Those applicants whose income is higher than the "very low" level, but lower than the "low-moderate" level will share equally the remainder of the total. $500,000 grant funds.

Many property owners have helped DLPOA and the PUD to communicate the need to Representative Tom Foley for Farmers Home Administration grand funds. We know that Rep. Foley and his staff have made our need for grant funds known to both the State and Federal offices of FmHA. To date we have not been notified whether we will receive any FmHA grant funds.

Wood Cutting '89 By Lou Houdak

October 8 ended the wood cutting for this year. We had a good season - 42 members sent in envelopes - 32 cut. We had 16 days in the woods and removed 120+ cords of wood.

Water Safety Committee by Howard Woghrle and Clyde Innes

Summer 1989 was another accident free year. Our volunteer water deputy, Hal Olson, spent many hours of his time between May 1 and Labor Day helping and informing people of the Water Ordinance. Hal listed a few of the ordinance violations for us:

• Not using red warning flag or not using it properly when skiing
• Under age observer or no observer while skiing.
• No valid boat registration
• Lack of personal flotation jackets for each person in boat.'
• Water skin in wrong direction (must be counter clockwise).
• Skiing or boating too close to docks or fishermen
• jet skiers - under age, recklessness, no life jackets.
• Drinking while boating.

This year our Sheriff's office provided Coast Guard training which was very helpful to the deputy.

Hal stated that he enjoyed his appointment and is grateful for the opportunity to have served as deputy sheriff. He is not available for next year because of family illness.

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Why can't we have a $500 sewer like Loon or Diamond Lakes?

This question has been asked several times and we'd like to pass on this information from "Gorge Bick, who is the Diamond Lake Sewer Board Secretary, and from Jean Russell, who is the Loon Lake Sewer District Manager

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1989-1990 DLPOA Officers

President: Lee Bayley; VP: Jerry McBride; Secretary: Ann Nixon; Treasurer: Mike Travis

Board Members: Charles Barker, Clyde Innes, Don McCoy, Norm Alberry, Lew Houdak, LeRoy Johnson, Wes Wagoner, Virgil Geringk, Lila Howe, Jerry Linton, Howard Wohrkem Chuck Phelan

Advisory Board: Ed Sweet, Les Schneider, Quetta Collin, Bill Paton, Clair Jones, Ben Rasley