Save The Lakes Coalition
Annual Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2009

George Fisher, Vice President, called the annual meeting to order at 1:00PM and welcomed those present. It was held at the Fire Station 1, District 18 community room/disaster center. Approximately 30 people were present. Directors present: George Fisher, President; Eileen Fisher, Secretary; Pam Tiede and Tom Tiede, Co-Treasurers and additional Directors present: Rick Anderson, Donald Cortright, Nancy Cortright, Mary Moore and Vickie World.

Minutes of the previous annual meeting were waived by unanimous vote.

The Treasurer’s report stated there is $6,850.19 in checking, $2,079.60 in savings and $12,709.24 in the legal/hydrologist fund for total assets of $21,639.03. There are 267 families and 481 members in STLC. A MOTION was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and approved with none opposed.

OLD BUSINESS

George Fisher gave 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 settlement agreement will be the exchange of money and land transferred to the Skokomish Tribe for past damages to the Tribe. Information about the agreement was provided in handouts at the May 19, 2009 Open House at the Fire District 18 Firehall hosted by Tacoma Power.

George Fisher gave a recap of the 5/19/09 Open House. Approximately 50 people attended. The level of Lake Cushman that day was 732 feet, six feet below a full lake level. The level of Lake Cushman is to be between 735 feet and 738 feet Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend. Lake Kokanee was proposed to be kept between 474 feet and 480 feet elevation, except when maintenance is required at the intake or spillway of Dam No. 2. Details may be found on the STLC website at www.lakecushman-stlc.com. Among the questions asked was what the Skokomish Tribe intends to do with Camp Cushman (428 acres) once the License is issued (probably early 2010) and Tacoma Power transfers the land to the Tribe. A representative from the Tribe, Dave Herrera, said the Tribe has not finalized plans for that as yet. The boat ramps will be available to the public Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. It has not been decided if a fee will be charged. The land known as Saltwater Park on Hwy 101 will also be transferred to the Tribe and a new boat ramp will be added. A salmon hatchery will be built next to the public restrooms. A reservoir level and flow monitoring plan will be developed by Tacoma Power and other agencies and will involve a representative from Save the Lakes Coalition. George stated that is why STLC has hired a hydrologist, Dr. Henry Hu of WEST Consultants of Bellevue as an expert to assist STLC in seeing that the lake levels are attained and maintained during the recreational months. Our STLC attorney has suggested that is an appropriate course of action.

Eileen Fisher gave a recap of the 5/20/09 tour of the Cushman Hydroelectric Project hosted by Tacoma Power.

George and Eileen Fisher and Dr. Hu represented STLC on the Tour. There were several vans of people including representatives of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), representatives from State and Federal Agencies, Joseph Pavel – Chairman of the Skokomish Tribe, officials from Tacoma Power – Pat McCarty, Debbie Young and their Attorney – Matt Love, as well as Alann Krivor of Skokomish Farms. The tour started at the Powerhouse on Hwy 101 at 8:30AM covering the following areas of the project: the North Fork and South Forks of the Skokomish River, the wet crossing of the land owned by Alann Krivor (previously owned by Jerry Ritchert), the Saltwater Park, the two Dam sites, Camp Cushman, Big Creek Campground and finally ended at Staircase where the gauges are located for the inflow of water into Lake Cushman at about 3:45PM. Eileen requested the Attorney of Tacoma Power consider having the vans drive to Division 2 waterfront to look at the impact of the lake at 732 feet on boat ramps, docks, etc. They agreed to go, but were reluctant to get out of the vans to see the impact until she made a point of standing on the pier until others came to look at the shoreline. None of the floats were floating and docks were unusable. Eileen and Dr. Hu took photos showing the low lake level just a week before Labor Day Weekend.

George Fisher gave a recap of the 5/21/09 Technical Meeting at Tacoma Power Headquarters in Tacoma, WA. Representatives from FERC were present as well as from State and Federal Agencies, Joseph Pavel – Chairman of the Skokomish Tribe and the Tribe’s attorney – Mason Morrisette; officials from Tacoma Power – Pat McCarty, Debbie Young and Tacoma Power Attorney Matt Love were seated as those involved in the agreement process. On the sidelines were George and Eileen Fisher and Dr. Henry Hu, hydrologist from WEST Consultants representing STLC. Also present were Mr. & Mrs. Krivor of Skokomish Farms. The formal meeting was a review of the Articles of the Agreement as written by the parties to be included in the Cushman Hydro Project license terms to be issued by FERC. There was some discussion about several of the Articles when a representative from FERC asked a question. Article 406 contains the operational flow and monitoring plan which will involve a representative from Save The Lakes Coalition (our hydrologist), especially when existing lake levels conflict with summer recreational levels of 735 feet to 738 feet. Fish netting, fish propagation, barriers, roadways to Staircase, and other impacts to our area were discussed. After the Technical meeting George Fisher, Eileen Fisher and Dr. Hu gave public testimony about the impacts their decisions will have on the Lake Cushman community. Another public testimony session was convened at 4:00PM and Richard Nicholson from Division 2 at Lake Cushman and Barb Tarabochia from the Lake Cushman Resort spoke about impacts to the waterfront property and small businesses.

George stated that last year on 6/14/08 the elevation of Lake Cushman was 727 feet and on 6/12/09 it was 735.4 feet, according to the Tacoma Power telephone access for water levels 1-888-502-8690 ext 3.

NEW BUSINESS

George Fisher stated that we need three new directors. He advised that Dennis Rohn and Audrey O’Connor resigned from their positions as President and Treasurer, as well as Directors due to Dennis Rohn’s ongoing health concerns. He stressed the need for someone from Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 to step up and become a Director in order for STLC to be aware of the impact of the lake level on those Divisions. Currently most Directors are from Division 11 and Lake Kokanee. It is important for others in the area to be aware of what is going on as far as the lake levels and impacts as well as the positive accomplishments of STLC. Vickie World stated that our community is called “Lake Cushman” and the lake level has an impact on everyone living here.

The following have agreed to serve as Directors to STLC:

Richard Nicholson                     Division 2
Doug Schlyer                            Division 11
Bill Scates                                Division 2

The following slate of Directors was presented to serve the 2009-2010 term for Save The Lakes Coalition.

Rick Anderson
Don Cortright
Nancy Cortright
Eileen Fisher
George Fisher
Tom Golden
Mary Moore
Richard Nicholson
Bill Scates
Doug Schlyer
Pam Tiede
Tom Tiede
Vickie World

A MOTION was made to accept the slate of officers as presented. The motion was seconded and passed with none opposed.

The problems of erosion, the need for a high safety curve and questions about the spillway were brought up. Mary Moore expressed concern about the elevation of Lake Cushman starting to drop in mid August. Doug Schlyer questioned if the “lesser of what comes in goes out” is still in the requirement to insure lake elevation.

George reminded those present this is a community effort, just as are the building of the firehall/community disaster center, beautification of our area and our services and other volunteer efforts.

Ken Weaver provided updated information as to the valuation of our property and the fact we have 600 permanent residents at this time.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30PM and was followed by refreshments.

Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Fisher, Secretary, STLC

At the Directors meeting immediately following the annual meeting officers for 2009-2010 were elected:

President – George Fisher
Vice President – Vickie World
Secretary – Eileen Fisher
Co-Treasurers – Pam and Tom Tiede

Tacoma Power Open House
At District 18 Firehall, Lake Cushman
5/19/09

There were approximately 10 representatives from Tacoma Power at the open house, including Pat McCarty, Project Manager, and Debbie Young. Tacoma Power’s hydrologist was not present. Dave Herrera from the Skokomish Tribe was also present to represent the Tribe. Approximately 50-60 Lake Cushman homeowners attended the function.

The water elevation at Lake Cushman on that date was 732’, six feet below a full lake level.

Four stations were set up. One station provided information on “Lake Levels and River Flows”, the second, “Wildlife and Recreation” information, the third “Fisheries” and the fourth had “Settlement Agreement between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe”.

Dave Herrera was with Matt Love, Counsel for Tacoma, at the “settlement” table. Matt Love asked if we had received our requested information from Pat McCarty or Debbie Young regarding lake levels. George Fisher, STLC told him that we had been promised data, but it had not been receive.

Information provided in the handouts included:

Lake Levels and River Flows

The settlement proposed that Tacoma Power keep water elevation of Lake Cushman between 735’ and 738’ between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and at least 690’ between Nov. 1 and March 31. Lake Kokanee the water level was proposed to be kept between 474’ and 480’ elevation, except when maintenance is required at the intake or spillway of Dam No. 2.

A new flow regime for the North Fork is designed to mimic the timing, duration and frequency of natural flow events.

A reservoir level and flow monitoring plan will be developed by Tacoma Power and other agencies and will involve a representative from Save the Lakes Coalition.

“The quantity of flow released each year will be determined by a water budget, which will be evaluated annually by a committee of federal and state agencies, the Skokomish Tribe, and Tacoma Power.”

Wildlife and Recreation

As part of the Cushman Project Settlement Agreement, you can expect Tacoma Power to make improvements to the US Forest Service Big Creek Campground, Staircase Road Recreational Sites and boat launches at Salt Water Park (on Hood Canal) and Lake Kokanee. Tacoma Power will enhance wildlife habitat.

Re. Boat launches.

Although Camp Cushman (approx. 428 acres) and Saltwater Park will be transferred to the Tribe Tacoma Power will:

Maintain the Camp Cushman boat launch for continued public use between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends

Construct a third launch lane at the Saltwater Park boat launch

Maintain Saltwater Park and Lake Kokanee boat launches and restrooms for year-round public use

“Although the Tribe will have the option to charge fees for boat launch use, the Tribe has not indicated whether fees are planned.”

Fisheries

Tacoma Power is planning many new programs and facilities for the North Fork Skokomish Watershed. Tacoma has proposed to introduce Sockeye and Spring Chinook and enhance the existing winter Steelhead and Coho populations in the North Fork in cooperation with the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the Skokomish Tribe. In addition, up to 100,000 Rainbow Trout will be released annually for sport harvest.

Tacoma will introduce sockeye by constructing a new sockeye hatchery at Saltwater Park, incubating up to 2 million eggs and rearing the fry, releasing fry into Lake Cushman and then collecting and releasing smolts into the lower North Fork Skokomish River.

Spring Chinook, coho and winter steelhead will be produced at a new hatchery at Lake Kokanee or an existing state hatchery in the Skokomish River watershed. To help these fish migrate safely around the dams Tacoma will build net pen facilities in Lake Kokanee at Dam No. 2 to rear and acclimate fish before they are released downstream. They will capture retrning adults at a new collection facility at the base of Cushman Dam No. 2 and will release captured adults in Lake Cushman or retain them for broodstock to build the runs.

Tacoma will build a new floating fish collection facility in Lake Cushman to collect smolts ready to migrate to the ocean. Tacoma will release rainbow trout into Lake Kokanee.

Settlement Agreement Between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe.

Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe signed an agreement on Jan. 12, 2009.

Settlement of the various issues included both lands and monetary payments.

The lands involved would be transferred within 60 days of the effective date of the new Cushman Project license. (The license is not expected to be finalized until late 2009 or into 2010).

Saltwater Park, on Hood Canal, with the exception of a small area located behind the current bathrooms for the construction of a Sockeye Hatchery, will be transferred to the Tribe. The boat launch, parking area and restrooms will remain open to the public year round. Tacoma Power will construct a third launch lane and service the restrooms.

Camp Cushman, approx. 428 acres, will be transferred to the Skokomish Tribe, however, none of the lands currently leased by the Cushman Development Company will be transferred to the Tribe. The boat launch, parking area, and trailer dump station will remain open to the public between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, possibly March 15 – Sept. 15 to coincide with the Big Creek Campgrounds schedule. The Tribe has not yet decided the future use of Camp Cushman.

Nalley estuary property, approx. 500 acres along Hood Canal, will be transferred to the Tribe.

Monetary payments.

The Skokomish Tribe will receive from Tacoma Power 11 million dollars as compensation for “past damages”. 1.6 million dollars for “transmission line trespass damages” on Tribal parcels. An annual payment to the Tribe of 7.25% of the electrical production from the Cushman No. 2 power house. An annual payment of $20,000 for ongoing use of Tribal land.

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Special Meeting Notice

	Save The Lakes Coalition Annual Meeting Minutes June 13, 2009 George Fisher, Vice President, called the annual meeting to order at 1:00PM and welcomed those present. It was held at the Fire Station 1, District 18 community room/disaster center. Approximately 30 people were present. Directors present: George Fisher, President; Eileen Fisher, Secretary; Pam Tiede and Tom Tiede, Co-Treasurers and additional Directors present: Rick Anderson, Donald Cortright, Nancy Cortright, Mary Moore and Vickie World. Minutes of the previous annual meeting were waived by unanimous vote. The Treasurer’s report stated there is $6,850.19 in checking, $2,079.60 in savings and $12,709.24 in the legal/hydrologist fund for total assets of $21,639.03. There are 267 families and 481 members in STLC. A MOTION was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and approved with none opposed. OLD BUSINESS George Fisher gave 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 settlement agreement will be the exchange of money and land transferred to the Skokomish Tribe for past damages to the Tribe. Information about the agreement was provided in handouts at the May 19, 2009 Open House at the Fire District 18 Firehall hosted by Tacoma Power. George Fisher gave a recap of the 5/19/09 Open House. Approximately 50 people attended. The level of Lake Cushman that day was 732 feet, six feet below a full lake level. The level of Lake Cushman is to be between 735 feet and 738 feet Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend. Lake Kokanee was proposed to be kept between 474 feet and 480 feet elevation, except when maintenance is required at the intake or spillway of Dam No. 2. Details may be found on the STLC website at www.lakecushman-stlc.com. Among the questions asked was what the Skokomish Tribe intends to do with Camp Cushman (428 acres) once the License is issued (probably early 2010) and Tacoma Power transfers the land to the Tribe. A representative from the Tribe, Dave Herrera, said the Tribe has not finalized plans for that as yet. The boat ramps will be available to the public Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. It has not been decided if a fee will be charged. The land known as Saltwater Park on Hwy 101 will also be transferred to the Tribe and a new boat ramp will be added. A salmon hatchery will be built next to the public restrooms. A reservoir level and flow monitoring plan will be developed by Tacoma Power and other agencies and will involve a representative from Save the Lakes Coalition. George stated that is why STLC has hired a hydrologist, Dr. Henry Hu of WEST Consultants of Bellevue as an expert to assist STLC in seeing that the lake levels are attained and maintained during the recreational months. Our STLC attorney has suggested that is an appropriate course of action. Eileen Fisher gave a recap of the 5/20/09 tour of the Cushman Hydroelectric Project hosted by Tacoma Power. George and Eileen Fisher and Dr. Hu represented STLC on the Tour. There were several vans of people including representatives of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), representatives from State and Federal Agencies, Joseph Pavel – Chairman of the Skokomish Tribe, officials from Tacoma Power – Pat McCarty, Debbie Young and their Attorney – Matt Love, as well as Alann Krivor of Skokomish Farms. The tour started at the Powerhouse on Hwy 101 at 8:30AM covering the following areas of the project: the North Fork and South Forks of the Skokomish River, the wet crossing of the land owned by Alann Krivor (previously owned by Jerry Ritchert), the Saltwater Park, the two Dam sites, Camp Cushman, Big Creek Campground and finally ended at Staircase where the gauges are located for the inflow of water into Lake Cushman at about 3:45PM. Eileen requested the Attorney of Tacoma Power consider having the vans drive to Division 2 waterfront to look at the impact of the lake at 732 feet on boat ramps, docks, etc. They agreed to go, but were reluctant to get out of the vans to see the impact until she made a point of standing on the pier until others came to look at the shoreline. None of the floats were floating and docks were unusable. Eileen and Dr. Hu took photos showing the low lake level just a week before Labor Day Weekend. George Fisher gave a recap of the 5/21/09 Technical Meeting at Tacoma Power Headquarters in Tacoma, WA. Representatives from FERC were present as well as from State and Federal Agencies, Joseph Pavel – Chairman of the Skokomish Tribe and the Tribe’s attorney – Mason Morrisette; officials from Tacoma Power – Pat McCarty, Debbie Young and Tacoma Power Attorney Matt Love were seated as those involved in the agreement process. On the sidelines were George and Eileen Fisher and Dr. Henry Hu, hydrologist from WEST Consultants representing STLC. Also present were Mr. & Mrs. Krivor of Skokomish Farms. The formal meeting was a review of the Articles of the Agreement as written by the parties to be included in the Cushman Hydro Project license terms to be issued by FERC. There was some discussion about several of the Articles when a representative from FERC asked a question. Article 406 contains the operational flow and monitoring plan which will involve a representative from Save The Lakes Coalition (our hydrologist), especially when existing lake levels conflict with summer recreational levels of 735 feet to 738 feet. Fish netting, fish propagation, barriers, roadways to Staircase, and other impacts to our area were discussed. After the Technical meeting George Fisher, Eileen Fisher and Dr. Hu gave public testimony about the impacts their decisions will have on the Lake Cushman community. Another public testimony session was convened at 4:00PM and Richard Nicholson from Division 2 at Lake Cushman and Barb Tarabochia from the Lake Cushman Resort spoke about impacts to the waterfront property and small businesses. George stated that last year on 6/14/08 the elevation of Lake Cushman was 727 feet and on 6/12/09 it was 735.4 feet, according to the Tacoma Power telephone access for water levels 1-888-502-8690 ext 3. NEW BUSINESS George Fisher stated that we need three new directors. He advised that Dennis Rohn and Audrey O’Connor resigned from their positions as President and Treasurer, as well as Directors due to Dennis Rohn’s ongoing health concerns. He stressed the need for someone from Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 to step up and become a Director in order for STLC to be aware of the impact of the lake level on those Divisions. Currently most Directors are from Division 11 and Lake Kokanee. It is important for others in the area to be aware of what is going on as far as the lake levels and impacts as well as the positive accomplishments of STLC. Vickie World stated that our community is called “Lake Cushman” and the lake level has an impact on everyone living here. The following have agreed to serve as Directors to STLC: Richard Nicholson Division 2 Doug Schlyer Division 11 Bill Scates Division 2 The following slate of Directors was presented to serve the 2009-2010 term for Save The Lakes Coalition. Rick Anderson Don Cortright Nancy Cortright Eileen Fisher George Fisher Tom Golden Mary Moore Richard Nicholson Bill Scates Doug Schlyer Pam Tiede Tom Tiede Vickie World A MOTION was made to accept the slate of officers as presented. The motion was seconded and passed with none opposed. The problems of erosion, the need for a high safety curve and questions about the spillway were brought up. Mary Moore expressed concern about the elevation of Lake Cushman starting to drop in mid August. Doug Schlyer questioned if the “lesser of what comes in goes out” is still in the requirement to insure lake elevation. George reminded those present this is a community effort, just as are the building of the firehall/community disaster center, beautification of our area and our services and other volunteer efforts. Ken Weaver provided updated information as to the valuation of our property and the fact we have 600 permanent residents at this time. The meeting was adjourned at 2:30PM and was followed by refreshments. Respectfully submitted, Eileen Fisher, Secretary, STLC At the Directors meeting immediately following the annual meeting officers for 2009-2010 were elected: President – George Fisher Vice President – Vickie World Secretary – Eileen Fisher Co-Treasurers – Pam and Tom Tiede Tacoma Power Open House At District 18 Firehall, Lake Cushman 5/19/09 There were approximately 10 representatives from Tacoma Power at the open house, including Pat McCarty, Project Manager, and Debbie Young. Tacoma Power’s hydrologist was not present. Dave Herrera from the Skokomish Tribe was also present to represent the Tribe. Approximately 50-60 Lake Cushman homeowners attended the function. The water elevation at Lake Cushman on that date was 732’, six feet below a full lake level. Four stations were set up. One station provided information on “Lake Levels and River Flows”, the second, “Wildlife and Recreation” information, the third “Fisheries” and the fourth had “Settlement Agreement between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe”. Dave Herrera was with Matt Love, Counsel for Tacoma, at the “settlement” table. Matt Love asked if we had received our requested information from Pat McCarty or Debbie Young regarding lake levels. George Fisher, STLC told him that we had been promised data, but it had not been receive. Information provided in the handouts included: Lake Levels and River Flows The settlement proposed that Tacoma Power keep water elevation of Lake Cushman between 735’ and 738’ between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and at least 690’ between Nov. 1 and March 31. Lake Kokanee the water level was proposed to be kept between 474’ and 480’ elevation, except when maintenance is required at the intake or spillway of Dam No. 2. A new flow regime for the North Fork is designed to mimic the timing, duration and frequency of natural flow events. A reservoir level and flow monitoring plan will be developed by Tacoma Power and other agencies and will involve a representative from Save the Lakes Coalition. “The quantity of flow released each year will be determined by a water budget, which will be evaluated annually by a committee of federal and state agencies, the Skokomish Tribe, and Tacoma Power.” Wildlife and Recreation As part of the Cushman Project Settlement Agreement, you can expect Tacoma Power to make improvements to the US Forest Service Big Creek Campground, Staircase Road Recreational Sites and boat launches at Salt Water Park (on Hood Canal) and Lake Kokanee. Tacoma Power will enhance wildlife habitat. Re. Boat launches. Although Camp Cushman (approx. 428 acres) and Saltwater Park will be transferred to the Tribe Tacoma Power will: Maintain the Camp Cushman boat launch for continued public use between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends Construct a third launch lane at the Saltwater Park boat launch Maintain Saltwater Park and Lake Kokanee boat launches and restrooms for year-round public use “Although the Tribe will have the option to charge fees for boat launch use, the Tribe has not indicated whether fees are planned.” Fisheries Tacoma Power is planning many new programs and facilities for the North Fork Skokomish Watershed. Tacoma has proposed to introduce Sockeye and Spring Chinook and enhance the existing winter Steelhead and Coho populations in the North Fork in cooperation with the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the Skokomish Tribe. In addition, up to 100,000 Rainbow Trout will be released annually for sport harvest. Tacoma will introduce sockeye by constructing a new sockeye hatchery at Saltwater Park, incubating up to 2 million eggs and rearing the fry, releasing fry into Lake Cushman and then collecting and releasing smolts into the lower North Fork Skokomish River. Spring Chinook, coho and winter steelhead will be produced at a new hatchery at Lake Kokanee or an existing state hatchery in the Skokomish River watershed. To help these fish migrate safely around the dams Tacoma will build net pen facilities in Lake Kokanee at Dam No. 2 to rear and acclimate fish before they are released downstream. They will capture retrning adults at a new collection facility at the base of Cushman Dam No. 2 and will release captured adults in Lake Cushman or retain them for broodstock to build the runs. Tacoma will build a new floating fish collection facility in Lake Cushman to collect smolts ready to migrate to the ocean. Tacoma will release rainbow trout into Lake Kokanee. Settlement Agreement Between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe. Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe signed an agreement on Jan. 12, 2009. Settlement of the various issues included both lands and monetary payments. The lands involved would be transferred within 60 days of the effective date of the new Cushman Project license. (The license is not expected to be finalized until late 2009 or into 2010). Saltwater Park, on Hood Canal, with the exception of a small area located behind the current bathrooms for the construction of a Sockeye Hatchery, will be transferred to the Tribe. The boat launch, parking area and restrooms will remain open to the public year round. Tacoma Power will construct a third launch lane and service the restrooms. Camp Cushman, approx. 428 acres, will be transferred to the Skokomish Tribe, however, none of the lands currently leased by the Cushman Development Company will be transferred to the Tribe. The boat launch, parking area, and trailer dump station will remain open to the public between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, possibly March 15 – Sept. 15 to coincide with the Big Creek Campgrounds schedule. The Tribe has not yet decided the future use of Camp Cushman. Nalley estuary property, approx. 500 acres along Hood Canal, will be transferred to the Tribe. Monetary payments. The Skokomish Tribe will receive from Tacoma Power 11 million dollars as compensation for “past damages”. 1.6 million dollars for “transmission line trespass damages” on Tribal parcels. An annual payment to the Tribe of 7.25% of the electrical production from the Cushman No. 2 power house. An annual payment of $20,000 for ongoing use of Tribal land. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Meeting Notice We've received notice from both Tacoma Power and FERC about the following meetings for this week. Tuesday, 5/19 An open house will be held at the Dist. 18 Firehouse on Lake Standstill Drive between 4-6PM. Representatives will be there from Tacoma Power, the Tribe and various State and Federal Agencies. You can talk to these individuals on a one-on-one basis. Wednesday, 5/20 Tacoma Power is sponsoring a tour of the Hydro Project starting at Powerhouse 2 on Hwy 101 at 8:30AM. The public is invited, but you must furnish your own transportation. Thursday, 5/21 FERC has requested that a technical conference be held at Tacoma Power at their offices starting at 8:30AM. However, the public cannot speak until the public session at 4:00PM. We posted a notice of the open house at the Post Office. Our attorney has recommended that this is a good opportunity for our community to ask questions to the appropriate representatives and to let both Tacoma Power, FERC and the Tribe know of our concerns. George SAVE THE LAKES COALITION (STLC) ANNUAL MEETING Please try to attend our STLC annual meeting to be held on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 1:00PM at District 18 Fire Station/Disaster Center on Standstill Drive just off State Route 119. We will give an update on the status of the license renewal and the settlement agreement between Tacoma Power and the Skokomish Tribe that took place in January, 2009. If you have any questions please call STLC Vice President George Fisher (360) 877-9109, gfisher@hctc.com Thank you for your support and interest in our community. Jan 13th, 2009 Yesterday Eileen and I attended the signing of an agreement between Tacoma Power, the Tribe and the state and federal agencies. As part of the agreement the Tribe will receive money and lands from Tacoma Power including a 12.6 million one time cash payment; 7.25 percent of the value of electric production from the Cushman Number 2 Powerhouse; Transfer of land valued at 23 million including Camp Cushman on Lake Cushman, the 500 acre Nalley Ranch and Saltwater Park on Hood Canal. "The licensing agreement once accepted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will allow Tacoma Power to operate this electrical generating resource for another 40 years. Tacoma Power will have the opportunity to construct an additional generator to capture some of the energy from the restoration flows being released into the north fork of the Skokomish River" per the article There is a complete PDF document online at http://www.mytpu.org/files/library/cushman-dam-settlement.pdf This is a 5.84 meg document so if you have a dial up it is going to take you awhile to download.	For Previous Developments Click on one of the Following Links: 2005 2006 2007 2008