President's Report by Bruce Bassett
I want to take this time to bring you up to date on a few of the challenges we are facing as we move into Spring. Flooding -- this is an issue that is important and concerns all of us. We have just completed widening and deepening the outlet ditch for the lake. This outlet ditch has a high enough grade to act as a natural barrier against the outflow of the water as it rises. The work that has just been completed has lowered that barrier and should allow flood waters to flow out as fast as it flows in. We are studying the idea of installing a control gate in order to control the flow of water levels year round.
Last year DLPOA placed screens over the culverts to the outlet to prevent the fish we raise from exiting the lake. I know a few residents like to fish the pool on the other side of the road but what you may not know is -- thousands of fish go through the culvert and perish needlessly such as happened last year when vandals removed the screens. Last Fall we installed permanent screens to prevent this from happening. This Spring a complaint was made to the county and the permanent screen was removed. It is now being put back into place by the County. I personally raise the book trout in fish pens and my sons and I hand feed these fish twice a day and we do this all year. It requires a great deal of time and effort as well as expense. We are now ready to release 12,000 7 to 8 inch brook trout into Deer Lake but I will not release them until the screens are bak in place and mounted permanently. Brook trout seek out shallow areas and like flowing water. Again, it only takes a few seconds for thousands of fish to exit the lake to their death through the uncovered culvert.
Please be a part of the solution -- and not part of the problem. Thanks for your future cooperation.
Eurasian Milfoil -- by Mike Phillips
Milfoil is an aquatic weed that grows in some bodies of water here in Washington as well as Idaho and other areas. Although we have not found the weed in Deer Lake up to this point, it can very easily spread to our lake at any time. The most common way it is spread from one lake or river to another is by boat or boat trailer. A small piece of the weed attached to a boat or trailer can come loose in our lake and we will have the weed. Our neighbors in Loon Lake have been fighting an expensive and time consuming battle to rid their lake of this weed and it is still ongoing with another treatment scheduled for 1999.
Road Committee by Teresa Waunch
Following our January 13th Deer Lake Property Owners Association directors meeting, (standing room only), we formulated a prioritized list of our most pressing transportation needs. The first item was to gravel the last mile of East Deer Lake Road. This job will be funded under the Gravel Roads Program and the work will commence as soon as the county finalizes the survey and design work.
The second item was for the county to assume responsibility of a 0.2 mile section of East Deer Lake Road (from the mailboxes to the white platform below the hill). As soon as the remaining half of the easements are signed and returned to the county this request will be completed.
Item three was for Southwood Shores Road to receive a sub base/base work. A decision will be made shortly on that.
The fourth item on our list was to ensure that the county continued to plow and sand North Deer Lake Road and the county will continue this service.
Finally, it was requested that the county provide sand for Tamarack and Pine Bays. This will be brought in to the respective access roads in the Fall. Another project that DLPOA requested was a master transportation plan to be developed and funded with RTPO transportation planning money. This will involve hiring a consultant and will benefit not only Deer Lake, but Loon Lake and Waitts Lake as well. The decision on this will be known in roughly a month.
In closing, I would just like to say that working with the county has been challenging but pleasant and we have had good cooperation.
Lake Beautification by Shawn King
Specifically, Deer Lake beautification is about what we, as a group, can do to improve and protect the quality of the environment in and around our lake. As you can see by reports from other members of the board it also includes every other committee in some way. How we address all these issues as a conscientious property owners is really what beautifying the lake is all about. Please take the time to read and understand what is happening around the lake. Whether it is clean up time, road maintenance, fishing, jet skis, woodcutting or any number of other issues, your input is necessary to let us know so we can address your concerns. If you have a question or idea for lake beautification or signage please contact me at 467-1920.
Just in case you haven't noticed by the roof shingles or the size of the rocks flying horizontally past you, we have had quite a lot of wind this spring. Hopefully your lake property has survived without any major damage. Seems like if it isn't lack of something, it is too much of something else. This type of weather always makes for garbage being deposited in places that impact the beauty of our lake. That is why we start talking about the Annual Spring Cleanup and Awesome Chili Feed. The date is set for Saturday May 15th at 9:00 am. Areas for cleanup can be chosen at the Deer lake Resort or the Deer lake Fire Station. This is an opportunity to lend a hand to your community and meet with neighbors at the same time.
We need to have lots of hands at this event. The more people involved the less time it takes to get the job done (which leaves more time to enjoy the chili Feed). We would appreciate anyone who has trucks to haul to the transfer station. Please contact other board members or me if you can help with hauling that day. The chili feed will be at the Deer lake Fire Station after the cleanup -- probably starting around 11:30 am and continuing until its all gone or you are full.
To Shoot or Not to Shoot -- by Tim Dschaak, VP DLPOA
A suggestion has been presented to the DLPOA board of directors asking if we, as a group, should have a No Shooting Zone to ensure a level of safety to those of us who live and play on and near Deer Lake from those who enjoy target practice etc. with their guns.
It is possible to get an ordinance passed by the county Commissioners to enact such a zone but we need to know from you what level of interest you may have in such a proposal. Then we need some idea of the extent of such a restriction. Please communicate with your board if you have any comments.
Woodcutting by Ken Brinkman
This past year, we had exceptional wood to cut! Thanks to Boise Cascade and their area forester for providing good logs and easy access.
It is not too early to think about this program that is made available for DLPOA members only. If you need firewood the cost is nominal and usually begins in September and continues on till the end of October. We go in as a group and come out the same way. Cutting is normally done on weekends only. Remember this when you pay $80 to $100 for a cord of wood.
The New DLPOA Membership Year is Starting -- by Jerry Brinkman
Enclosed in this newsletter you will find a very important self addressed envelope. It is your invitation to join with your friends and neighbors in helping to improve Deer Lake and to make the lake a better place to live and play. It is also your invitation to have a say in what goes on in and around Deer lake and to vote on issues of concern that have an impact on Deer Lake. Right now the discussion is hot and heavy about the operation of personal water craft on our lake. A few years ago it was hot and heavy about the installation of guard rails around Southwood Shores Road. This is your opportunity to join all of us in making yourself a part of an organization whose only goal is to work toward the overall improvement of a quality environment in and around deer lake. Your association has participated in many projects such as the purchase of land in the narrows to providing initial funding for the guard rail project to getting a temporary no wake ordinance passed when we experienced high water in the spring a year ago to name just a few that come to mind. A lot of time and effort and money have gone into the completion of these projects.
The cost of joining the Deer Lake Property Owners Association is only $12.oo for a family membership and any and all additional contributions are greatly appreciated. If you know anyone that is not getting our newsletter and would like to receive it or a change of address please let us know at Box 250, Loon Lake, Wa 99148.