Lake Chelan Reclamation District Special Board Meeting Oct. 25th
Rod Anderson, LCRD - October 22, 2012
Lake Chelan Reclamation District Special Board Meeting Oct. 25th
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Board of Directors of the Lake Chelan Reclamation District will meet for a special Board Meeting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the offices of the District.
Posted by gregory_kennedy on Tuesday, October 23 @ 12:24:46 PDT
Edible Chelan's First Round Table
A video presentation by Ed and Wendy Isenhart
Local videographers Ed and Wendy Isenhart have compiled a video report from the first meeting of the "Edible Chelan" group that took place on the Saturday before Earth Day.
This event earmarks a fundamental shift in the way food distribution will work in the future. Communities everywhere are taking a look at a more sustainable way of living that depends less on outside resources to accomplish needed tasks. Chelan may well be a model for other communities as they take the first steps towards a more localized food and labor model.
Enjoy this well organized, professional, and "locally-produced" report.
Posted by gregory_kennedy on Tuesday, June 05 @ 17:03:04 PDT
With all the bustle of the beginning of the school year, most kids are preoccupied with their first graded assignments and quizzes. For the Manson FFA fair participants, that is only the icing on the cake. September 6th-11th, Cashmere hosted its annual Chelan County Fair, where students in FFA and 4-H can competitively showcase their horticulture, crafts, and show their livestock.
The Manson FFA, under the direction of Advisor Kevin Amsden, had 26 Manson High School students participate in the fair. 24 of the students showed the pigs they raised since spring in the market class and fitting and showing, as well as Aylee Neff doing the same with her lamb and Efrain Escoto with his goat.
During this week, students would rise before six in the morning to tend to their animals. This included cleaning their pen, washing and feeding their animal, as well as tending to any other barn duties that needed to be done. Midday would bring the rounds of the showings, where the pigs were divided into eight different weight classes to speed up the showing process.
After the hard work of the showings was finished for the day, the members would shed their corduroy jackets and partake in the numerous fair games, carnival rides, and eat the delicious fair food. Despite events of pigs jumping over their pens and wreaking havoc throughout the barn, the students returned home exhausted and bestowing blue ribbons. All of the students performed at their showings amazingly. Congratulations to Kendra Ellsworth for her reserve Grand Champion!
Reserve Grand Champion
Kendra Ellsworth
Championship Round Participants
Bailey Stevens
Marcus Vanderholm
Nathan Coggins
Blue Ribbon Winners
Ty Harding
Kendra Ellsworth
Sidney Little
Lily Morales
Stephanie Quiroz
Mireya Escalera
Kristen Gibson
Monica Anaya
Aylee Neff
Donnie Webb
Bailey Stevens
Willy Jones
Casey Sorenson
Tyler Barnes
Paul Toolson
Rachael Vanderholm
Kent Ustanik
Marcus Vanderholm
Mike Pittman
Adri Guzman
Travis Pittman
Alex Vanderholm
Efrain Escoto
Abby Bridgewater
Austin Cochran
Nathan Coggins
Posted by gregory_kennedy on Saturday, September 24 @ 10:56:09 PDT
It was a group of about 6-10 members of Local 292 of the Construction & Laborers Union who manned the signs outside Wapato Point on Friday, expressing their concern that the laborers of Wapato Point have been without a contract for 15 months; despite a vote in February 0f 2006 to put themselves into a collective bargaining unit.
The poster petitions Wapato Point management to 'Respect the wishes of their workers."
Click Here or on the poster in this story to view an enlargement and the full text of their message.
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Friday, May 25 @ 23:55:44 PDT
It was last week that this gentleman knocked on our door at GoLakeChelan and told us that he was on task to begin enforcing the City codes regarding exterior Banner Signs, like that which hangs on our Marguee.
His Name: Dave Spencer - He's the City Code Enforcement Officer
A very nice guy with what must be, at times, a tough job.
He came to tell us that our hanging banner sign is permitted under City Code for only 30 days from the date of placement; and for the record, he was considering his visit to our office as triggering the 30 day countdown.
He also gave us an easy to understand 1 sheet explanation of the Chelan Municipal Code that regulates Banner Signs and Temporary signs.
A Banner Sign is defined as a sign constructed of cloth, fabric, or other non-rigid material, hanging from a staff, pole or frame or wall mounted. The banner sign shall be considered a temporary sign. (CMC 17.58.040(40)).
The informative handout details that Banner Signs and all Temporary Signs that are advertising Grand Openings, Special Sales, or Events are allowed by the Chelan Municipal Code, but for a very specific time limit. And the date the banner is first displayed must be writtin on the banner sign. The banner may only be displayed for 30 days from that date.
Good job Dave.
Our sign will come down well within our 30 day window.
Anyone who has a question can pick up a copy of Dave's simple 1-page fact sheet. It's pretty easy to know what's OK and what's not.
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Wednesday, April 25 @ 16:18:15 PDT
City Council Expected To Appont McCulley Replacement Thursday Evening
Councilwoman Bernice McCulley resigned her City Council seat for health reasons effective on March 31. The Chelan City Council will appoint one of five Chelan residents to fulfill her term at this week?s Council meeting.
McCulley?s seat to be filled at
Thursday?s council meeting.
By Richard Uhlhorn
With Bernice McCulley?s resignation effective March 31, Chelan City Council had 90 days to appoint someone to her remaining term. According to this week?s City Council agenda bills, five Chelan residents are interested in serving in that position.
City Council will appoint one of the five interested citizens at Thursday night?s City Council meeting which begins at 7 p.m.
Applying for the position are George F. D. Lingard, Bob Eier, Tanya Greenfield, Mike Cooney and Ben Higgins.
George Lingard has served as President of the Chelan Hills Maintenance Association and has regularly attended City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Parks & Recreation Board meetings as well as all of the 2007 City budget workshops.
Bob Eier - Is a registered nurse who would like to serve te City of Chelan. He says he has no personal agenda.
Tanya Greenfield Has worked in the social services field with incarcerated youth, homeless youth and disabled youth and adults.
She was an assistant coach on the Chelan Girls Basketball Team and a resident of Chelan who says she wants to help improve the lives of all residents of the City.
Ben Higgins Served on the City Council in the 1980's and is the owner of Chelan Realty.
Mike Cooney - Owner of The Vogue, is the fifth interested candidate for the Bernice McCulley?s position. He says he wants to give back to the Chelan community that he feels has been very good to him.
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Tuesday, April 24 @ 20:33:10 PDT
Major Comprehensive Planning Meeting Scheduled For April 18th
By Richard Uhlhorn
Craig Gildroy
The City of Chelan is required by state Growth Management Act to update their Comprehensive Plan & Development Regulations. The City Planning & Development Office has enlisted a diverse group for its 34-member advisory committee. That list of members is available at the Chelan Planning Office.
?We would love to have input from Chelan residents,? said Craig Gildroy. The committee and planning commission are accepting comment on compliance with the following GMA requirements.
The City recently gave notice of this special meeting via the following notice:
GMA Update Open House April 18th - 6:00 PM at City Hall
The Chelan Planning Commission will host a Comprehensive Plan Growth Management (GMA) Update open house at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, April 18th, at City Hall. The open house will present a draft GMA Evaluation & Compliance report identifying the scope of work for the 2007 Comprehensive Plan & Development Regulations amendment process.
The draft GMA Evaluation & Compliance report is the result of seven citizen advisory committee meetings. The Citizen Advisory Committees reviewed the City of Chelan Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations for compliance with the Growth Management Act and included the following areas:
Urban Growth Area and Expansion Requests
Housing Element & Affordable Housing
Critical Areas & Open Space
Capital Facilities Planning & Economic Development
Essential Public Facilities
Public Facilities and Services- Utilities and Transportation
Land Use, Urban Densities- Multi-Family Zone
The April 18th open house will be held at City Hall, 135 East Johnson Avenue. The open house will start after a brief regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:00 p.m. . All residents, landowners, and business owners are encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to hear the findings of the Citizen Advisory Committee meeting on GMA Compliance and the proposed scope of work amending the Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations in 2007.
A public hearing for additional public input will be held on May 16th before the Planning Commission for a recommendation to City Council for a final GMA Compliance Report. For more information, contact Craig Gildroy in the Community Development Department, 682-8017. cgildroy@nwi.net
Posted by greg on Tuesday, April 17 @ 11:33:22 PDT
In an unusual move, Mayor Jay Witherbee stopped World Endurance Sports Brent Kamenka from speaking during the public comment period of Chelan City Council.
Witherbee told Kamenka that there would be no debate at the council meeting. ?It?s a legal matter. Contact your attorney and have him call ours,? Witherbee told Kamenka.
City Administrator Dave Fonfara told GoLakeChelan on Friday morning that Kamenka had signed up to speak during the public comment time to plead his position again. ?We told him he had his opportunity to meet our criteria by a deadline and he didn?t do it.?
Kamenka?s only recourse now seems to be the standard City appeal process to get his position in front of the council or to fight the City through legal methods.
Not allowing him to speak during the public comment period marks the first time in recent history that the council has refused someone to speak. Mayor Witherbee told Kamenka that the council didn?t have to take public input.
World Endurance Sports is continuing its efforts to gain a permit to run its My First-My Next Triathlons in Chelan in July this year.
Chelan City Council passed a motion to hire a part-time regular Parking Enforcement Officer to provide the city with year-round enforcement. The cost to the city will be an estimated $38,150.00.
Parking has become an increasing problem in the downtown area as more and more people move to the valley and/or visit. There are also emerging parking problems at Lakeside Park and in the surrounding neighborhood.
?We are looking at beginning the year-round enforcement sometime in mid-May,? said Mayor Jay Witherbee on Thursday, April 13. ?Parking enforcement will be on a rotating basis 24/7. So you will never know when the area parking will be enforced.?
One of the problems are areas like Lakeside Park where no overnight parking regulations are being violated.
Another issue that passed the council was an appropriation for additional ?Marine Patrol Funds? from the City to supplement the existing Marine Patrol Program. Approved was an additional $10,000 to support the expanded program and another $2,000 for new replacement buoys for 2007.
The down lake area has seen increasing boat and personal watercraft activity over the past several years which has led to an increasing number of safety violations in the lower lake. Calls for service from 2004 to 2006 have increased by 46. The expanded program including a planned ?Emphasis Weekends? should take care of some of those concerns.
Jacque DePaoli helped present a Chelan groups vision for an Aquatics & Community Center at Don Morse Memorial Park to the Economic Development District.
Scott McKellar and Jacque DePaoli, proponents for a Chelan Aquatics & Community Center, received an interesting message from Economic Development District members after presenting their vision to the group at the EDD meeting Wednesday, April 11.
Terry Knapton, Republic, told McKellar and DePaoli that many of the small communities surrounding Chelan look at the Lake Chelan Valley as a destination for them. ?Seniors take their senior trips to Chelan. People visit and go the your waterslides and use the lake,? stated Knapton. He and others said that the most popular feature at other aquatic parks is a Lazy River feature.
DePaoli answered that comment by stating Chelan was re-identifying with tourism and the fact that Pateros and other communities in the area are neighbors of ours.
It was also suggested that if and when the aquatics center was built, that it incorporate swimming lanes for swimming competitions. ?It?s a huge sport,? said one board member. McKellar said that he understands how many people the Moses Lake facility has attracted. ?Our plan is it have a multi-use facility which could include a teen center and senior center,? explained McKellar.
Chelan County Commissioner Buell Hawkins asked about the IAC encumbrance at Don Morse Park. McKellar said that his group had a chance to meet directly with IAC and that they are now in the process of looking for private land of equal value that could be swapped. ?We are looking at the Naumes property as a possibility,? said McKellar.
One member said that Don Morse Park always seemed to be full. McKellar said that it was underused except for July and August. ?We are planning a year-round facility.?
Jay Kehne, RC&D coordinator, said, ?Most communities want what you are talking about.?
DePaoli and McKellar both stated that the group is looking at identifying all sources of funding this facility.
McKellar also requested that those representatives from outside the Chelan area send letters of support for the facility. ?If we could get some positive comments from our neighboring communities, it would be really helpful,? McKellar said.
EDD business:
Scott McKellar answered numerous questions regarding the proposed Aquatics & Community Center proposal.
After the Chelan presentation, the EDD membership discussed MetroQuest in more detail. Commissioner Hawkins said that Chelan County has so many irons in the fire that he doubted the county could dedicate any staff to a visioning process. ?We want to partner with our neighboring communities, but we know we can?t be counted upon. The staff is just not available,? said Hawkins.
Both Okanogan and Douglas county representatives said they were in the same boat.
However, the EDD decided to go ahead and seek funding resources to pay for this study. Chris Branch said that Okanogan County is dealing with the effects of growth that began over 40 years ago. ?They don?t want to see more density,? said Branch.
Hawkins described the economic initiative as being tied around the Hwy 97 corridor. Kehne agreed and said it was the natural corridor. ?What other areas will do will mess you up,? said Kehne. Knapton said that the counties need to take a broader view. ?There are a lot of funding sources for this. There should be no problem getting funding for this,? said Knapton. ?We can be a part of it (growth) or it?s going to happen to us. I think this is a great discussion.?
Hawkins reported that the County and Port District had a discussion about whether to participate or not and said that there was some apprehension going in this subject. ?MetroQuest brings up a whole new set of questions when we already have a process going on. Some it is a control issue,? stated Hawkins.
Allison Williams, City of Wenatchee, said, ?The more you can define things on a regional basis the more funding is available.?
EDD director Jennifer Korfiatis told the group, ?If we do have the regional support, Jay and I will look for funding.? The MetroQuest process costs $200,000 but looks into the future 40 years and as a planning device the finished project will help the region and communities in the region better plan for the future.
Koriatis and Kehne have been making the community circuit. Korfiatis said they have visited Okanogan, Chelan and Douglas Counties, the City of Leavenworth and the City of Okanogan.
Korfiatis announced that the annual update to the EDD CEDS document is 90 percent complete and that she would be seeking input from the CEDS committee in the near future.
Douglas County Commissioner Ken Stanton reported that there would be a public meeting on April 25 on the Pangborn Airport issues. ?We want to make it a win/win situation,? said Stanton. ?The underlying fear is that the airport is trying to take away their property rights. We will start this discourse at the April meeting.?
The EDD meets every second Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Chelan Fire Station.
911 emergency services in the four county area of North Central Washington is back in full operation as of early Friday morning.
RiverCom Supervisor Lynn Palmer told GoLakeChelan this morning that emergency calls can now again be directed to the normal 911 service..
Palmer said "Service was restored late last night. We were definitely up by 3 a.m. this morning." Palmer said when she left her office last night at 7 PM, the 911 service was still not working. It had originally failed shortly after 2:30 PM on Thursday afternoon..
The problem, which was not disclosed, affected all land line calls to 911 in Chelan, Okanogan, Douglas and Grant Counties. Some cellular telephone service was also affected.
The problem was sourced to a service provider.
Palmer said that both Quest and Verizon were working non-stop to find the problem and correct it.
Mayor Jay Witherbee said today, April 4, that he will be seeking re-election this year. This came out of a conversation regarding the four Council positions that are also up for grabs this year.
Peter Rodionoff, Steve Olsen, Dave Weldy and Bernice McCulley?s seat (she has resigned as of March 31 for health reasons) are open to challenges.
Peter Rodionoff
?We have only two letters of interest for Bernice?s seat,? said Mayor Witherbee. The two citizens who are interested in serving are Robert Eier and George Lingard.
Eier says in his letter of interest that he is a concerned citizen and has a lot of interest in serving on the Council. George Lingard already serves on the Parks and Recreation Board for the City and has board experience from his past professional life. ?He has attended all of our council meetings and also attended all of our budget hearings this year,? said Witherbee.
Bernice McCulley
The one thing Mayor Witherbee doesn?t want to do is appoint someone to McCulley?s seat who isn?t interested in running after the appointment is up at election time.
Steve Olsen
Incumbent Steve Olsen indicated his interest in re-election earlier this year. Councilman Dave Weldy hasn?t made up his mind yet, but said, ?I?m thinking in that direction.? Councilman Peter Rodionoff said he hasn?t made up his mind yet. ?I?m still having fun with it,? said Rodionoff.
The filing date for this year?s general election is from Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8. Mail-in filings for positions must be in 10 days prior to the June 4 filing date which is Friday, May 18.
Posted by greg on Thursday, April 05 @ 13:39:19 PDT
World Endurance Asks For Compensation If Denied Permits
By Jerry Isenhart
In an Email to GoLakeChelan, World Endurance Sports promoter Brent Kamenka sends us a copy of correspondence allegedly sent to the City of Chelan today, advising the City, among other things, that he takes issue with the City's decision to deny his planned events this summer, and that if he is denied, he expects to be compensated.
Photo Left - Promoter Brent Kamenka (file photo)
Kamenka's Email to GoLakeChelan reads....
April 3rd, 2007
Dear Mr. Galbraith/Mr. Fonfara,
On behalf or World Endurance Sport we wish to re-apply for a Special Event
Application based on the dates previously reserved in earlier correspondence.
World Endurance Sport is still within the boundaries of the Agreement between
World Endurance Sport and the City of Chelan.
Please refer to the Agreement between the City of Chelan and World Endurance
Sport.
Also note, there is no provision to who provides the insurance, only that it is to be
provided, we have provide this four years without issue, and there is no reason to
think that this will not be taken care of.
With respect to the Sheriffs Office we have no indication other than verbal about
the issues surrounding 2006.
As far as 2006 Accounting our previous emails have indicated that there is a
positive amount owing to World Endurance Sport which can be applied to either
garbage collection or the Sheriffs office. We expect a full accounting of the
details once processed.
We still consider the City of Chelan to be in breach of our agreement with respect
to Total Health Events and Chelan Multisport Foundation. Simply refusing our
application does not give the City the authority to allow a replacement group.
The City breached the agreement in two ways: 1st by giving permission to another
group without giving World Endurance Sport the First Right of Refusal and secondly
by ignoring our dates submitted by the January 31st deadline.
If you wish World Endurance Sport to release the July 21st and 22nd date from the
contract World Endurance Sport will need to be compensated.
The only legal deadline we see looming is that the Street Application be filed 30
days in advance of the proposed event, if there is anything more required, please
let us know.
We will comply with all other regulations provided they are within the bylaws of the
City of Chelan.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Brent Kamenka
The City of Chelan's letter to Kamenka notifying his organization that it would not be permitted to hold triathlon events in the City in 2007 was posted on the City of Chelan's web-site on Tuesday, and is reported in the story below.
In March the City gave Kamenka an extention of his 2007 permit application which was due February 23rd.
GoLakeChelan readers may remeber that World Endurance Sports MyFirstTriathlon a July 2006 event was cut short by the City after the sponsor failed to meet City requirements during the days the event was permitted to occur, and subsequently was denied an appeal of that decision by the City Council.
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Wednesday, April 04 @ 01:36:35 PDT
City Of Chelan Closes Door To My First Triathlon This Year
Citing 6 specific failures by promoter Brent Kamenka of World Sports Endurance to comply with the City of Chelan's requirements in order to obtain permits to hold triathlon events in Chelan this summer, the City of Chelan has notified the promoter that he will not be allowed to use City facilities for any such event in 2007.
In a letter posted on the City's Web Site (Click Here) City Attorney Alan Galbraith tells Kamenka that he has failed to comply, even after the City offered Kamenka an extionsion of the original deadline of February 23rd to March 31st. Galbraith notes that the required payment of $100 which the City recently received was returned NSF, as just one of the 6 reasons.
GoLakeChelan recommends that everyone read the City documents as soon as possible, as they will answer many questions with the least amount of interpretation.
The letter TERMINATING PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS APPLICATIONS can be read by (Clicking Here)
There is much much more to be reported on this story. And GoLakeChelan has fielded a Letters To The Editor section which contains comments on the same. To view those letters or for instructions on how to submit yours:
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Tuesday, April 03 @ 16:30:38 PDT
At this week's Chelan PUD Commmissioner's Meeting, Treasurer Debbie Litchfield outlined the PUD?s plans for borrowing money to finance large projects this year and next.
Litchfield said estimates are the District will need about $182.6 million through 2008 to pay for capital projects at the dams and for construction in the electric, water, sewer and fiber systems. A combination of cash reserves, refinancing of existing debt and additional borrowing are possible sources for that financing, she said.
A bond sale of about $151 million, including nearly $94 million of refinancing, is being planned for 2007. Savings of about $16.9 million in lower interest rates from refinancing existing debt are expected
PUD finance staff will provide another update on the proposed bond sale at the April 23 commission meeting and will ask for commission approval for the sale on April 30.
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Monday, April 02 @ 23:36:13 PDT
Lake Chelan's Water Supply Is Above Normal After-All
By Jerry Isenhart
It seems like it was less than 6 months ago that Chelan County PUD officials were worried about the potential for a water shortage in Lake Chelan this coming summer. But now it appears that mother nature has risen to the occasion again and brought the best of solutions given the circumstances.
Recent studies combined with pro-rated projections reveal that snowpack in the the drainages at the head of the lake are now showing water-contents above normal; helped in part by the late spring (March snowfall ) which caught everyone a little by surprise.
An On-Line statement on the PUD's Web-Site reads.....
The elevation of Lake Chelan on March 28 was 1,091.1 feet, which is 8.1 feet higher than the normal reservoir operating curve. The higher than normal lake elevation is mainly due to heavy rains that occurred in November and early snowmelt in March.
Given the current lake level and the forecast there is plenty of water for refill by July 1, while generating at full load April through June.
If early runoff continues spill may be required in April to control the refill rate of Lake Chelan. In a normal runoff scenario spill will be required in late May or June.
Whether your interest in Lake Chelan's 'lake level' is driven by the historical 'irrigation issues of the valley's agricultural industry", or the lake level as it pertains to 'recreation and tourism, or perhaps even as a followup evaluation of proposed power surcharges that were at one time explored in the event of a water shortage to refill the lake - the PUD's on-line Press Release is full of solid and helpful information.
Congressman Doc Hastings talks about a public meeting in Chelan:
The meeting will be open to the public and will provide me with an opportunity to
hear your views on important issues facing Congress. Listed below are the date, time, and
location of this meeting:
Date: Monday, April 2, 2007
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Place: Chelan City Hall
135 East Johnson
Chelan, WA
If you or a family member needs help with Social Security, veterans' benefits, or any
other matter involving a federal agency, members of my staff will be present to get some
information from you and will begin working on your problem as soon as possible after the
meeting.
Your input is vital to my effort to bring common sense solutions to the problems facing
our communities and I hope you will take this opportunity to share your views and ideas with
me. If you require special assistance, please contact my staff at (509) 543-9396 so that proper accommodations can be made.
Additionally, I encourage you to visit my website at www.hastings.house.gov and sign up
to receive periodic updates about Congress and issues of importance to Central Washington. I
look forward to seeing you on April 2nd.
Chelan County Issues Emergency Declaration for Stehekin Ranch and 9-Mile
Other projects placed on category list for action
By Richard Uhlhorn
GoLakeChelan news was in receipt of a letter declaring an emergency declaration on Friday, March 30, regarding the Stehekin Valley flood potential and mitigation measures which will begin to protect private property.
The three properties most likely to sustain damage from flooding will come under immediate attention to protect them. Other projects have been listed in three categories of protection measures: immediate, mid-term, and long-term projects to protect property and life in the valley.
Communication from Mike Kaputa, Director, Chelan County Natural Resource Department, outlines the process that will take place on these projects. See below:
"Chelan County issued an emergency declaration today for the Stehekin Ranch at Sun Creek and 9-Mile to address immediate loss of private property. The emergency declaration with Sheriff Mike Harum?s evaluation is attached. These projects will begin immediately to protect private property.
Additionally, I have attached the list of projects that were reviewed on March 16, 2007 by the local community and agencies. Thank you to those who took notes during the site visit and provided these reports. These projects have been placed into three categories of measures: Immediate, Mid-term and Long-Term. Immediate Measures or components of these projects will likely be included under the County?s permitting package that will be submitted as part of the first emergency declaration issued by the County on March 12, 2007. Immediate Measures will likely be constructed within the next 60 days if project details can be worked out. I will be in touch with the proponents of the Immediate Measures shortly so that we can complete the permit application and submit it next week. Mid-Term and Long-Term Measures will be evaluated late spring/early summer for implementation in the near future.
I want to stress that the attached report is a work in progress and is intended to start the conversation of implementing flood projects on the ground. There is recognition that projects of this type are not without their own complexities and must be fully evaluated in order to be implemented successfully and work properly.
That said, I want to thank the Stehekin community residents for their work on this effort, the National Park Service, other agencies, and the elected officials involved on this project, including Senator Linda Evans Parlette, Commissioner Buell Hawkins and Sheriff Mike Harum. While there is much work to be done and challenging discussion to be had, I have been impressed with the spirit of cooperation and am optimistic for the future.
Please let me know if you need any clarification or would like to include more information in the report or modify the report with better information.
Well, here I am again. 2 emails in one month. That's so not like
me., but I just wanted to let you in on some exciting developments
regarding our Triple Door show and tell you about a few others gigs
this weekend. The most exciting news is that the Seattle TV Channel
has contacted us about filming the concert! They will be bringing 4
cameras, and with your help it will be a gala event! Just think,
when it's shown on TV, you might get to see yourselves....(so you
better dress up!) and you'll definitely be able to hear yourselves in
the audience. If it turns out really well, we may actually have a
DVD to sell. That would just be so 'now', wouldn't it?
Please call as soon as possible and make your reservations. Tickets
are going fast this time so don't wait until the last minute. The
number for the Triple Door is 206-838-4333. You can also buy
tickets online at www.thetripledoor.net
Click here for Website!
This Friday and Saturday we'll be at these great venues:
Fri, March 30th, 7:30-10pm: Bite of Crossroads in Bellevue, WA.
Come join us and have a 'bite' at the Food Circus and listen to
music!
Sat, March 31st, 8pm-11:30: The Upstage, Port Townsend, WA Call
for reservations: 360/385-2216 or email Mark at upstage@olympus.net
Sheriff Asks County Commissioners to Approve Stehekin Resolution
By Richard Uhlhorn
Stehekin River is Rising
After traveling to, observing the Stehekin River for potential flooding and meeting with concerned residents on March 28, Sheriff Mike Harum told GoLakeChelan news on Thursday, March 29, that an emergency resolution had been drafted and delivered to the Chelan County Commissioners for passage.
Sheriff Harum is hoping the Commissioners will pass this emergency resolution either Thursday afternoon, March 29 or Friday morning, March 30. Harum observed areas of the Stehekin River he feels is in need of emergency mitigation to protect property and life. ?When evaluating the areas, I observed an obvious threat to the Steheking Valley, the road systems and property, both private and federal,? Harum stated in his letter to the Commissioners.
Warm weather patterns have created rapid runoff and the potential for the Stehekin River to reach flood stage quickly.
Harum wants the Commissioners to approve this resolution which will pave the way for private land owners to take necessary steps to protect their property. The passage of the resolution will help cut through the bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process to help ensure that mitigation can be accomplished quickly while the river is below flood stage.
GoLakeChelan will publish new information as soon as it becomes available.
Our thanks to Jim Oatey for his quick grab of the camera to capture this
uncomfortable moment on Highway 97 just south of the Beebe Bridge on Wednesday
afternoon.
It looks to us like the tractor-trailer was most likely
heading out after picking up a load of fruit at the Stemilt processing facility just a
half mile to the north, and was thrown into this predicament when the load shifted as the vehicle rounded that first corner
just ahead of entering Highway 97.
We think the driver of the truck probably said more than OOPS!
Posted by Jerry_Isenhart on Wednesday, March 28 @ 23:12:10 PDT
PUD Will Spill Less Water Over Columbia River Dams In 2007
From Chelan County PUD Press Release
Thanks to the PUD?s habitat conservation plans, for the first time since the 1980s, with the exception of the 2001 power crunch, the PUD will not spill for downstream spring fish migration at Rocky Reach Dam.
PUD commissioners heard Monday that spill at both Rocky Reach (photo left) and Rock Island dams would be reduced this year as a test, due to positive results from previous years? fish survival studies.
Environmental Affairs Director Tracy Yount, Fish and Wildlife Manager Shaun Seaman and Fisheries Biologist Steve Hemstrom shared the news, detailing 2007 spill plans.
As spring spill in April and May will be eliminated this year at Rocky Reach Dam, summer spill in June, July and August will be reduced to 9 percent, compared to 15 percent in May 2006. Studies have shown that the juvenile fish bypass system at the dam is working well and helping fish pass the dam better than using spill.
Spilled water represents lost power production that could be sold on the wholesale power market. It represents millions of dollars, depending on market value at the time of spill.
Spring spill at Rock Island Dam will be reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent as part of the 2007 test. Summer spill will remain at 20 percent. At Rock Island, spill is the preferred method for fish passage.
The PUD?s Habitat Conservation Plans commit the utility to a 50-year program to ensure that its hydro projects have no net impact on Mid-Columbia salmon and steelhead runs through a combination of a fish bypass system, spilling water, off-site hatchery programs and evaluations, and habitat restoration work in Mid-Columbia tributaries.
?It?s the right thing to do for the fish,? said Commissioner Norm Gutzwiler, ?and still have the revenue.?
To learn more about Chelan County PUD?s Habitat Conservation Plans, Click Here.
In other business, PUD commissioners:
~Approved increases to fees for new electric and water/wastewater connections to keep up with expenses. Costs for the equipment and installation of electric meters and transformers, water meters and vaults, and wastewater tanks have increased over the years, but fees charged by the PUD have not kept pace. New fees will go into effect May 1.
~Authorized $70,000 in environmental studies to prepare for a new transmission line up the Entiat Valley. The new line would provide more reliable service to a stressed electrical system seeing 3.5-percent load growth. Construction will begin in 2008.
~Approved an agreement with the city of Wenatchee to coordinate contract work to relocate PUD electric, broadband and water equipment necessary for the city?s Wenatchee riverfront development. The PUD will build a substation to serve new homes and businesses, expand electrical capacity to the area and take some power lines underground.
Winds: Downlake (Northwesterly) 6--9 mph with a few whitecaps.
Skies: Mostly covered with dark cumulus clouds.
Barometer: 29.85 inches and very slowly increasing.
Rainfall:
Boaters should watch for increasing amounts of drift on the lake.
Jim and Sarah at the Llama Ranch
Fishing Report
Joe Heinlen's Fishing Report
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
May 15th, 2013
Lake Chelan is still kicking out good numbers of Laketrout from the Lower Basin. Big Fish are starting to stage, so get ready for a Toad Trout pictures real soon. The Ace Hi-Fly is what works! Thanks so much to my Sidensticker crew today! Tight Lines to All and Be Safe!!!
...
JERRY JR - BLOG
911 emergency services in the four county area of North Central Washington is back in full operation as of early Friday morning.
PUD commissioners heard Monday that spill at both Rocky Reach (photo left) and Rock Island dams would be reduced this year as a test, due to positive results from previous years? fish survival studies.
