The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 27, 2005, with Chairman Mary Lou Peterson, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Don Hover and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Discussion – Salmon Recovery – Resources/Planning
Nick Christoph, Darlene Hajny and Bonnie Lawrence

Those present discussed upcoming meetings and process for commenting on the Salmon Recovery Plan.

Discussion – Road Projects – Public Works
Tom Hinger, Jerry Verstegen, Joe Mischelen and Sue Christopher

Tom briefed the Commissioners on the items needing action in the Consent Agenda. Joe Mitschelen explained the agreement for the grant for Progressive Flats Water Association.

Bid Opening – Wheeled Mobile Screening Plant – Public Works
Two bids were opened and read as follows from Power Screen of Washington and Triad Machinery

#1) $155,000 plus tax $13,175 Power Screen of Washington, Inc. (wheeled)

#2) $149,000 including sales tax Triad Machinery, Spokane

Frank Sautell recommended that the bid be awarded to Power Screen of Washington because that bid meets the specifications whereas, Triad Machinery does not. (attached)

Bid Award – Wheeled Mobile Screening Plant - Public Works
Commissioner Lampe moved to accept the bid of $155,000 plus sales tax from Power Screen of Washington as recommended by Frank Sautell. Motion was seconded and carried. (attachments)

Motion – Consent Agenda – Commissioners
Commissioner Lampe moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 8. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)

Motion Approve Commissioners’ Proceedings September 19, 2005
Resolution Resolution 98-2005 Change box increase-Licensing Department
Agreement Vernon Pit – Public Works
Prospectus Toroda Creek Road – Public Works
Agreement Jail Services – Ferry County
Change Order Hale & Long / Courthouse Re-Roof
Agreement Progressive Flats Water Association
Application Grant Application - Planning

Discussion – Roadless Areas – Commissioners
Greg Wilder, Margaret Hartzell, Linda Fee, Tom Windsor, and others

Margaret Hartzell presented the process for the revision of Forest Plans for roadless areas revisions. A process and criteria is used to inventory Forest Service roads and identifying potential wilderness areas. She explained the history and background of the National Management Act and the Washington Wilderness Act that established the process. The forest service has developed a process for identifying and indexing roadless areas. The Bush Administration gave the Governor the opportunity to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for the management of roadless areas until November 2006. The current inventory is being evaluated for boundary adjustments. If roads continue to meet the Forest Service criteria they would remain roadless areas. Regarding the public process, the Forest Service has yet to determine how the public will be involved. Whether being part of a working group, or to only commenting on the proposal. There are two areas of review; acreages over 5000 and acreages under 5000. In order to classify acreages under 5000 they must contain individual ecosystems that can be preserved. This is more difficult and less likely to meet the established criteria.

Commissioner Hover asked what size area and noted that even a bucket of dirt could include a self contained ecosystem.

Commissioner Lampe asked if any buffer zones are established between the Forest Service lands and private properties. Ms. Hartzell noted that there is no buffer. Ms. Hartzell explained that the Governor can state how a roadless area would be managed such as: continuing an interim designation, opening areas to road building and/or harvest, and how/if recreation would be allowed. Any wilderness designation would have to be made by Congress. Two areas in the county so designated are the Pasayten Wilderness in 1968 of a half million acres and the Sawtooth in 1984.

Tom Winsor reported that there are currently 163,000 acres in the Sawtooth and 535,000 acres in the Pasayten Wilderness areas. The Forest Service is proposing an additional 229,000 wilderness acres and over 341 roadless areas. He asked how much is enough? The Backcountry Horseman are not opposed to wilderness areas and spend many man hours maintaining and clearing wilderness trails. There are issues such as beetle infestation, trails that are overgrown, and campgrounds that are no longer in use because of disrepair. Simply stated, in the three specific forests mentioned, it is unwise, uncalled for, and counterproductive to wilderness and user interests, to increase designated wilderness above the massive acreage already designated. Again, how much is enough? He urged the Commissioners to make contacts necessary to oppose any expansion of roadless or wilderness areas. The Forest Service will be accepting comments until September 29, 2005. Greg Wilder will draft a comment letter. Ms. Hartzell stated that comments will be accepted throughout the process.

Public Hearing (cont) – Assessment – Conservation District
Commissioner Peterson opened the hearing and noted that public comments have been closed. Commissioner Hover stated that even though he agrees with the services provided by the Conservation District, at this time, he cannot approve an assessment.

Commissioner Hover moved to deny the request for an assessment based on the increase in fuel costs and subsequent increases in other goods and services, which have placed an additional burden on the taxpaying citizens of Okanogan County, and the structure of the request is inequitable, in that, those that who would benefit the least from the programs are being assessed the most and those benefiting the most would be assessed the least. Motion was seconded and carried.

The Board of Commissioners request that you look into the possibility of placing the issue on the ballot next year for the people of Okanogan County to decide.

Commissioner Peterson stated that she also supports the conservation district but strongly feels that the public should be provided the opportunity to vote on any increase in taxes. The assessment amounts should also be revised.

Again, all Commissioners expressed their support for the district but recognized the additional hardship that any new taxes would place on the taxpayers at this time when fuel and associated costs are increasing at an alarming rate.

Resolution 99-2005 – Reallocation of Infrastructure Award - Winthrop
Commissioner Lampe moved to approved Resolution 99-2005, reallocation of Infrastructure Award for the Town of Winthrop. Motion was seconded and carried. (attached)