February 1993
President's Report by Jerry McBride
Here we are, halfway through winter! Your DLPOA Board has been busy. In this newsletter you will see reports on roads, zoning, the sewer system, the Shoreline Management Plan, Hydraulics regulations under the Dept of Wildlife, wood cutting, emergency services, Spring Cleanup and fisheries. All these reports will give you an idea of the considerable efforts put forth by your board. In additions, we have reports on the new Loon Lake Medical Clinic and the old Loon Lake Schoolhouse which are both a part of our Deer Lake community.
#######
Proposed Zoning Ordinance by Ed Deeble
Subsequent to my last report, it was decided to abandon the previous work done on the proposed Stevens County Zoning Ordinance and use the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance as a general format guide. This seems to be beneficial as the committee is covering between two or three types of zones at each meeting. Hopefully the final Stevens County code will be considerably smaller than its Spokane counterpart.
The code committee usually meets every week, weather permitting. Deer Lake representatives are Lee Bayley and myself. Loon Lake has two representatives and the remaining members are from other areas in the county.
The committee has covered three zones to date that directly impact Deer Lake. They are the zones relating to acre tracts, forestry, and shoreline single family residences. Our progress thus far suggests that a rough draft code may be available for countywide input by early summer.
#######
Shoreline Management Plan by Jerry McBride
Last December we mailed a letter to all members asking that you send your comments on the proposed Stevens County Shoreline Management Plan to the DOE. Many of you responded and we thank you. The DOE was surprised by the number of responses received (over 200). Hopefully this will add credence to our request for local (Stevens County) control of the variance process for single family dwellings.
The idea of requesting property owner input was Dean Crump's. We put together the letter, duplicated and folded it and mailed over 400 in a period of four days! Thanks to all who helped with this project.
The DOE is currently evaluating he plan and will get back to our commissioners in Mid March. The final plan will be the result of negotiations between the DOE and Stevens County.
#######
Sewer Update by Ivy Shaw
The sewer line is now complete around the entire lake so pollutants from sepcic systems should no longer be a factor in water quality. However, we have had reports of septic tanks not being filled after they were pumped. We contacted the PUD and they had not heard this. The contract required pumping and filling and to their knowledge that is what occurred.
There is still no final tally on the per lot cost of the project. The PUD hopes to have this information in the spring. At that time they will mail a letter to each property owner explaining costs and options.
#######
Natural Gas Study by Faye Scott
An initiative was started last fall on the east side of the lake to determine the feasibility of installing natural gas. Due to the late start many property owners could not be reached. The coordinator of this project contacted DLPOA to see if she could use our newsletter to reach as many individuals as possible.
We fully support this initiative and hope you will take the time to respond. It must be understood that this is only a survey at this point and in no way obligates anyone. If the response is large enough, WWP will conduct a study in the spring to determine the cost and layout of the line.
#######
Hydraulics Permits by Ray Johnson
Shorelines are one of the most regulated places in our environment. They are regulated by several federal and state agencies, but the one of primary concern to us is the Wash State Dept of Wildlife (DOW). DOW administers a permit process under the Hydraulics Code.
This code requires a written permit prior to any work within the ordinary high water mark of all waters. Activities which use, direct, obstruct or change the flow or bed of state waters or that may be detrimental to fish resources require a hydraulic project approval.
What does this mean in layman terms? As a general rule, you may not change your shoreline, fill wetlands, put in a new dock, make major dock repairs, put in or repair a retaining wall or make any changes below the ordinary high water mark (this includes removing existing vegetation). If work is accomplished without a permit, the DOW can direct you to restore everything to its original condition at your expense.
In many instances, a phone call will clarify the need, if any, for a permit and the DOW encourages calls in lieu of the possibility of later litigation. The local address and phone number for the DOW is
Dept of Wildlife, 8702 Division, Spokane, Wa 99218 509-456-4082.
DLPOA was able to arrange with the DOW to have permit applications available at the Loon Lake Post Office if you should need one.
#######
Road Safety and Maintenance by Dean Crump
Some of the roads around our lake are very narrow and have sharp curves with no guard rails. This is dangerous and has resulted in a number of accidents that could have been avoided. It is our desire to make our lake roads as safe as possible.
There are two kinds of railings that could be installed on our roads at a reasonable cost. The first kind is a metal guard with wood posts. They cost $15 per lineal foot. The second barrier is made of concrete and are known as "jersey rails". They cost $18 per lineal foot and come in eight foot lengths.
The county has stated they would install the railings if we were to purchase them. We need your input if you feel this is something DLPOA should pursue.
Another problem that needs to be addressed is the unpaved section of the county road along Southwood Shores. This section of road is presently on the list of county paving projects as number 15. It wasn't long ago that it was listed as number 28 but it has also been as high as number 6! The County has projected that this road may get paved in 1997, however, since the project list is reviewed annually, there is no way to predict our relative priority four years from now.
It is our opinion that the chances of getting this work done withing the next five to ten years are very slight. Currently, there are 90 locations in Stevens County requesting road work. During 1993, only seven of these are scheduled to be completed.
A temporary solution would be the application of a wood product called Lignosite to the road surface on an annual basis. It would cost approximately $7,500 per application and the County would grade the road prior to each application. This product keeps the dust down and reduces ruts substantially. There is a certain amount if residual that builds up over time and could form a paving base.
The problem with this solution is that it must be done each year and by doing it, the County may feel this road would rate a lower priority for paving.
A better alternative would be for the property owners boarding this road to commit to paving it and pay for ½ the cost.; The County would match those funds and once completed would be required to maintain the road to the improved level.
The County estimates the 2 ½ miles in question would cost $600,000 to pave and could be paved within a year. An example of the cost to a property owner of a 75' lot would be $850,000. Remember these figures are only estimates, but the County does have extensive experience paving roads and they are intimately familiar with this particular road.
#######
Emergency Services by Lew Houdak
Thanks to the PUD, we now have 36 fire hydrants around the lake. Two years ago there were only three! With this number of hydrants, your Deer Lake FD needs your help. We would like a property owner to adopt the fire hydrant closest to your house.
In the spring, summer and fall, keep the hydrant free of weeds and debris. In the winter keep it clear of snow and a path shoveled to the road. We need a three foot area around the hydrant clear of all impediments to allow us to do our job.
Before fall we will have some kind of a marking device on each hydrant. This winter most of them have been buried under large piles of snow and if we had needed one we would have had a hard time finding it, let alone using it!. We don't have to tell you that there is nothing worse that getting to a fire and not having any water.
Also notify your insurance company of the distance from your house to the nearest hydrant. Many companies will lower your rates if you are within a certain distance from the nearest hydrant.
#######
Old Schoolhouse
The Old Schoolhouse located in Loon Lake was recently purchased by the Loon Lake Historical Society. They are currently raising finds for the purchase and upgrading which is required by Stevens County.
It is the intent of the Historical Society to keep this building as a vital part of the community. It is being used by the Library of the Lakes for our community library. In addition, the Historyical Society has an old photographic display.
The Old Schoolhouse was built in 1929 at a cost of $8,000. The Loon Lake School District used this building until April of last year. In November, the School district accepted the bid of $11,555.56 from the Historical Society for the purchase of the building. It was also officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in November. Stevens County is requiring repairs to the roof and the addition of insulation. The building also needs to be made handicapped accessible. It is estimated to cost $30,000 for these improvements.
The Historical Society believes it is extremely important to preserve this structure. There are 49 schoolhouses in Washington State on the National Register, but only 14 are located East of the Cascades. Unfortunately, one of these building was demolished last year. We do not want that to happen to the Old Schoolhouse in Loon Lake.
#######
Medical Clinic Update
The new medical clinics in Loon Lake is now open to meet the health needs of the residents and visitors to this area. This clinic can take the place of your regular physician or can be used for minor emergencies.
#######
Oh No - No Power! By Jerry Linton
Just prior to Thanksgiving most residents around the lake lost power for periods ranging from a few hours to a few days. Several residents asked if anything could be done to prevent this in the future. We contacted both power companies for advice.
The major cause of power outages is downed lines or tripped transformers caused by excessive snow on the lines themselves or by snow-laden trees or branches falling on the lines. Nothing can be done about snow on the line themselves, but we can assist both utilities by notifying them of potential problem trees within their right of way.
Both companies maintain a 10 foot easement on each side of the power line. WWP currently has a $4.5 million project underway to clear all their right of ways over a four year cycle.
#######
Officers:
President: Jerry McBride, VP: Dean Crump, Secretary: Rod Hansen, Treasurer: Mike Travis
Board members: Norm Allbery, Ray Johnson, Lew Houdak, Wes Waggoner, Howard Wohrle, Ivy Shaw, Ed Deeble, Virgil Gering, Jerry Linton, Dick Shepard