SAVE THE LAKES COALITION
Update August, 2010

SAVE THE LAKES COALITION

ANNUAL MEETING 6/12/10

The meeting was opened at 1:00PM at the Fire District 18 Community/Disaster Room at the Firehall.

Directors present:  Rick Anderson,  Nancy and Don Cortright, George and Eileen Fisher, Mary Moore, Bill Scates, Pamela and Tom Tiede

A motion was made to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous annual meeting by Rick Anderson.  It was seconded by Nancy Cortright and passed with none opposed.   

Tom Tiede read the Treasurer’s report stating we have $7,617.20 in checking, 10,065.93 in the legal/hydrologist fund and $2,086.20 in savings for total assets of $19,769.33.  A Motion was made by Rick Anderson to approve the Treasurer’s report.  It was seconded by Nancy Cortright.  It was voted to approve the Treasurer’s report with none opposed.

George Fisher, President stated the Agreement between the Parties to approve the conditions of the Cushman license was signed in January, 2009.  Environmental studies took place since that time to determine the impacts the agreement would have on various species of wildlife, etc. and apparently minimal impact was found to be of concern and it is anticipated the license will be issued within the next month or two. 

As of 6/12/10 the level of Lake Cushman was 734 feet.  According to Tacoma Power’s information call-in line, the full lake level is 738 feet.  Tacoma Power has previously stated that it will try to maintain a lake level of between 735 feet and 738 feet between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  An e-mail statement regarding our concerns about the current level of Lake Cushman was provided by Debbie Young, Natural Resources Manager and Bret Forrester, Wildlife & Recreation Coordinator for Tacoma Power. 

 Per Debbie Young 6/11/10

“Cushman should reach 735 by about midnight on Sunday.  Inflows have come up a little (they are abu and may come up to a little more with the rising snow level but it just takes a while to fill.

The new license will have different downstream flow provisions.  Article 407 in settlement agreement license article outlines the flows.  There are lower minimum flows and then a water budget that will be allocated by a committee that adds to these flows.  There are also pulse flow releases triggered by inflows at staircase.”

Per Bret Forrester 6/11/10

“Debbie forwarded me her message to you and I thought I should add some info that I recently received from our power managers on the lake level issue.  We have been intentionally holding the lake below 735 due to dam safety reasons as necessitated by our recent rainy weather and the relatively deep snow pack that remains in the Olympics.  The cooler than average spring we have been having has resulted in slower than normal snow melt.  Our power managers rely on calculations that factor snow pack levels with rainfall and temperature predictions to determine potential inflow scenarios in the reservoirs.  The unusually high amount of rainfall we have been receiving plus the deeper than average snow pack that has persisted this May and early June created the need for us to keep additional storage capacity in the reservoir.  This unusually wet weather was predicted to come to an end around this weekend which was therefore our power manager’s target date to reaching 735.  As Debbie’s message stated, Lake Cushman should be reaching 735 this weekend.  It was 734.35 this morning.” 

The call-in line for lake levels with Tacoma Power is 1 888 502-8690  and extension 3 for lake levels.

Eileen Fisher stated she and George took photos of the Division 2 Park area showing woody debris at the boat launch area on June 8 making it unsafe to launch a boat and also showing the unusable docks in view from the boat launch with the lake not reaching the docks because of the 733 foot lake level on that date.   The Fishers said their float is not currently floating as of June 12.

George Fisher said more indepth information on the agreement for the licensing can be found on the Tacoma Power website for the Cushman Project.  Our hydrologist has studied the articles that are pertinent to the lake level and will be able to help us when we are part of the Flow Committee, especially those items related to Article 407.  It is our understanding that the lesser of 240cfs or inflow will be released on a constant basis with some exceptions. 

Once the license is issued Camp Cushman will be turned over to the Skokomish Tribe.  A combination powerhouse, upstream collection facility, and fish handling and sorting facility will be located at the base of Cushman Dam #2.  This part of the settlement and others will take effect 90 days after the license is issued. 

Save The Lakes has tried to put on the best defense we can until we have a part on the Flow Committee.  

Rick Anderson stated the planned use of the land at Camp Cushman by the Skokomish Tribe is still unknown.  Rick also said STLC still has a voice as an intervener and that has been important in this whole process. 

  There was concern expressed about the bulkheads washing out due to the lower lake level. 

It was requested that people in various divisions send photos or report on the impacts to their divisions due to the lake level.   Members will need to volunteer to be on the Flow Committee. 

A slate of Directors for 2010-2011 was presented:            Rick Anderson                   Donald Cortright

Nancy Cortright        Eileen Fisher                                      Chuck Smith

George Fisher           Mary Moore                                      Bill Scates                            Doug Schyler

Pamela Tiede            Tom Tiede                                           Vicki World                         Tracy DeLeo

Rick Anderson made a motion to accept the slate as presented.  The motion was seconded and approved with none opposed.

Rick Anderson made a motion to approve the current officers as officers for the 2010-2011 year.  The motion was seconded and passed with none opposed.  Officers will include:

George Fisher, President

Vicki World, Vice President

Co-Treasurers, Pamela and Tom Tiede

Secretary, Eileen Fisher

George Fisher thanked all those present for coming and the meeting was adjourned at 1:50PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Eileen Fisher, Secretary

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February 2010

MISSION STATEMENT

Save The Lakes Coalition (STLC) supports the quality of life for residents and wildlife at Lake Cushman and Lake Kokanee.  We support a 738’ lake level at Lake Cushman during recreational months and a full lake level of 480’ at Lake Kokanee.  We also support flood control for the Skokomish Valley provided by a winter drawdown of the hydroelectric project.  Members and supporters are dedicated to preserving the way of life in our community and to preserving property and property values.

2009 UPDATE

At our annual meeting 6/13/09 we had an update of the Settlement Agreement of 1/12/09 between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe and Federal and State Agencies.  Included in the agreement will be an exchange of money and land transferred to the Skokomish Tribe for past damages to the Tribe.  You can find more information on our website regarding the agreement.

The renewal license for the Cushman Hydroelectric Project has not yet been issued by FERC.  According to officials at Tacoma Power ongoing environmental studies have delayed issuance of the license.     

We hired Dr. Henry Hu, a hydrologist with WEST Consultants, to assist STLC as our expert to provide input and act on our behalf when meetings arise with Tacoma Power after the license is issued.  The license agreement provides that STLC will have a representative when the reservoir level (Lake Cushman) and the flow-monitoring plan will be developed.  Dr. Hu will be able to provide input and ask questions that could impact the lake level during recreational summer months. 

Recently Tacoma Power stated they will be surveying the docks on the lake to determine if they are in compliance  with licensing procedures and their regulations. During 2009, the lake level did not exceed 735 feet, which is 3 feet below a full lake level of 738 feet (as stated by Tacoma Power).  That affected the usability of docks and boat ramps. 

The management at Lake Cushman Resort will again operate Camp Cushman (previously the state park) this year since the license has not yet been issued and therefore the land at Camp Cushman has not been transferred to the Skokomish Tribe.  The land title is to be exchanged 90 days following the issuance of the license. 

Your continued support and financial assistance is appreciated.

Our current two primary expenses are (1) newsletter printing and mailing and (2) hydrologist and attorney fees as they arise.  When you talk with neighbors and others with an interest in our community, please encourage them to also make a contribution.  Thank you in advance to everyone who is willing and able to help. 

The STLC officers and Board members welcome interested community members to become more involved with STLC. You may contact George Fisher, President of STLC at (360) 877-9109 or e-mail gefisher@q.com. 

Annual meeting

Our annual meeting will be held June 12, 2010 at 1:00PM at the District 18 Firehall/Community Disaster Center on Standstill Drive.  Please mark your calendars.   

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      Our annual membership runs from January through December.  Checks should be made payable to “Save The Lakes Coalition” and mailed to PO Box 511, Hoodsport, WA  98548.  If you include your e-mail address, your privacy will be respected and it will not be sold and it will only be used to keep you up-to-date on STLC matters.  This is the only newsletter nonmembers will receive this year due to the high cost of mailing.  If STLC dissolves, any of its funds remaining will be donated to Fire District 18 at Lake Cushman.

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

City/State _______________________________________________________

E-mail address ___________________________________________________

Division Number _________________  Lot Number _____________________

Annual Dues:  $5.00 per person  __________

              $10.00 per family __________

Legal/Hydrologist Fund              ___________

(any amount is appreciated)

Total amount enclosed:               ___________