June 1994
A Word from our President by Jerry McBride
Have two years gone by already? When you folks elected me president of DLPOA in June of 1992, I accepted on the basis that I would serve for two years and that is just about over.
A lot has happened in the last two years. Here are some of the things I feel were significant:
These accomplishments are the result of a lot of effort by many people. It couldn't have happened without you the members of DLPOA. Your ideas and suggestions, your willingness to write letters, to work on projects and to provide financial support make DLPOA one of the strongest and best lake organizations in Washington State.
The population of Washington is expected to increase 51% by the year 2020. This is going to put tremendous pressure on the natural resources of the state including Deer Lake. The only way to preserve Deer Lake for the future is to make sure that it is a high priority with our government that the proper regulations are in place and that they are enforced. DLPOA's specific goal is to preserve Deer Lake for future generations. I urge you to continue your support of DLPOA. DLPOA and Deer Lake are going to need all the help and support they can get!
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Zoning by Ed Deeble
Since our last newsletter we have held an informational meeting explaining the contents of the proposed County Zoning Code as it applies to Deer Lake. One property owner came all the way from Bellevue to attend this meeting. The County Planning Commission received copies of the code in April and is reviewing the contents.
Hal Hart is predicting the zoning code will be in place before the end of the year. Hal said tha further public input meetings would be held prior to the adoption by the County Commissioners. Public input can also be provided to the County Planning Commission.
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HWY 395 Update by Rod Lord
"How many times can I sign?"
That sentiment was typical of the responses from the more than 7,000 concerned citizens who have thus far signed the petitions circulating throughout northeastern Washington to widen Highway 395 north of Spokane.
Spurred on by Teresa Waunch, a Deer Lake resident, the 395 Development Steering Committee has held public forums and started a petition drive to show officials the true level of support for this project.
The current two lane highway is becoming more congested due to increasing development and population of Stevens County and the northern areas of Spokane County. There are a number of intersections without left turn lanes that increase the potential for accidents. Additionally, the recent passage of the North American Free Trade Act will increase truck traffic moving between Canada and Washington, Oregon and California.
Officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation have been cooperating with the committee by providing statistics, graphs, and background details on highway usage and accident information but have been unable to provide funding support.
Due to budget cuts and Initiative 601 limiting spending and tax increases, the Legislature in Olympia transferred $135 million from the DOT's biennial budget to the general fund. Part of this money had been programmed to widen several miles of Hwy 395 north of Hatch Road. This would not have widened the highway as far north as the petition proposes, but it would have been a start.
In spite of this setback, the committee has gotten the attention of our federal politicians in Washington DC. Both Speaker of the House Tom Foley and Senator Slade Gorton have taken an interest in the project. They requested that the DOT submit a funding request to the federal government for a demonstration project under the guidelines of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
This has been done and the proposal is currently before the subcommittee on transportation. If approved, the state would have to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the cost of the project.
The steering committee has received support from many elected officials and local communities and the organizations. In fact, DLPOA made a cash contribution to help defray the costs of phone calls and mailings but more help is needed.
Hwy 395 Accident Data, 9/88 to 8/93
Spokane to Stevens County: accidents 250, injuries 229, fatalities 6.
Stevens Count to Loon Lake: Accidents 98, Injuries 92, Fatalities 4.
Loon Lake to Chewelah: Accidents 134, Injuries 92, Fatalities 2
Chewelah to Colville: Accidents 287, Injuries 157, Fatalities 3.
Colville to Kettle Falls: Accidents 128, Injuries 81, Fatalities 1.
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Member Awarded Plaque by Jerry McBride
Wes Wagoner was recently presented with a plaque for his outstanding service as a DLPOA board member. He has been a board member of DLPOA since its founding in 1974.
Wes is well known for his fish hatchery on the south side of the Narrows. For many years he has gotten Rainbow and Eastern Brook trout eggs from the Department of Wildlife and raised them for release into the lake. This required many trips to the lake in the middle of the winter to check on his fish.
As a retired Chemist from Kaiser Aluminum, Wes's knowledge and experience has been of great value to DLPOA. On many occasions Wes was able to translate complicated water quality reports for the rest of us. Wes has worked as a volunteer for the DOE conducting water quality tests.
For the last year, Wes has had serious medical problems and has spent considerable time in the hospital. Up until recently, he was living with his daughter Cathy and her family in Walla Walla. He is now back in his own home on the north side of Spokane.
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Road Improvements by Floyd Stewart
Following our April Board meeting I delivered to Stevens County Public Works Department DLPOA's check in the amount of $6000 for 500 feet of guard rail to be installed on the Southwood Shores Road. This was done in accordance with previous agreements worked out with the County and covered by a letter outlining those agreements.
On April 26, 1994 Mr Bryant submitted to the Washington State DOT a list of four projects for consideration under that 1994 Hazard Elimination Program. The Southwood Shores Road project was number one on that list. In addition, Mr Bryant submitted a copy of our letter to Stevens County and a copy of our check showing DLPOA's concern for the safety of our members who use this road and for the school children riding the bus over this road each school day.
According to Mr Bryant, the DOT was very impressed by the fact that our association would go to this extent to help improve a dangerous situation. While the State would make no on the spot commitment we believe we stand an excellent chance of having all of the dangerous curves on this road guarded, thanks to our seed money. There were five specific areas enumerated in Mr Bryant's submittal.
The state will be making their field inspection of the site this May with a decision due in June 1994. Assuming that the decision is in our favor, installation will follow this summer. We hope to have more answers and perhaps a commitment by the time of our general meeting in June.
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Emergency Services by Gerry Block
Right now we are allowed to burn under the "no permit needed" rule. This only applies to one pile no larger than 10 feet square and four feet high. Please do not start any fires with a booster such as gasoline, etc.
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Fish Stores by Bruce Bassett
Mackinaw and Rainbow, if you've never caught a Mac this is the year to fish. Macs are hitting well and large numbers of fish are being caught in the 6-20 lb range. The fish were feeding in the 10-15 foot depth but now you'll find better luck at the 30 ft depth. Rapalas and J-plugs seem to be the best bet. Rainbows to 5 lbs are hitting throughout the lake but you will increase your odds if you fish the bays and the outer bar area. If you want some excitement, try trolling a large dark-bodied fly at two colors and forget the Ford fenders and other gang trolls.
The game department has been hit with some serious problems this year with their hatcheries but are trying hard to supply fish to all the net pens. Jim Santora will be getting fish about 19 May. We'll get approximately 14,000 rainbows instead of the 15,000 we normally receive. The fish released this spring from the pen were running 9-11 inches and have moved throughout the lake.
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The Northwest Meadows by Ivy Shaw and Ray Johnson
On May 18th members of DLPOA, accompanied by representatives of four government departments walked the meadows at the end of the Narrows. The purpose was to see if, with the cooperation of the owners and the help of various government agencies, we could reduce the amount of algae producing nutrients coming into Deer Lake.
This is another example of DLPOA spearheading a program to improve water quality in our lake. We have several ongoing programs designed to maintain and improve the quality of lake living. Some programs, such as this one, take as much as two years of work and planning to bring results.
Mr Jim Gleaton of the Soil Conservation Service will speak at our annual meeting about the results of this survey.