The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 14, 2006, with Chairman Don Hover, Commissioner Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present.

Update - Planning
Greg Wilder updated the commissioners on the Revised Interlocal Agreement between the City of Oroville and Okanogan County in regards to proposed changes in some of the language (attached). Greg will provide the agreement to Heidi for review before submitting to the board for approval.

Ben Rough’s promotion was discussed. The position is in addition to the Senior Planner position already in place. It is Greg’s feeling that Ben has moved forward and has assumed additional responsibilities and has continued to perform well.

Greg explained why the pre-inspection sewer site fees were charged to Veranda Beach and why the Health Department is still needing Veranda Beach to pay the fees. Planning has given Veranda Beach reasons why the fees were not collected for them.

Greg updated the commissioners on the Phase II, lower collection system improvements and the feasibility between each route i.e. use of Route #1, #4and #4A. The proposed route is the Reman/Reload route with a traditional easement. The criterion for each route was discussed and how each would monetarily effect the project.

As the sewer project is going in there have been a lot of private utilities found than were pre-marked. The private utilities have been there approximately 50 years. The pipes are unmarked and were buried under the road in shallow ditches by the counties direction. They are used to drain the springs into the lake. The pipelines are being broken as the sewer system is under construction and citizens are concerned. Since the county is responsible for putting the drainage pipes in this way, private land owners should not have to pay for the repair and replacement of them. Bud directed Greg to come up with a formula to figure out a way to deal with the additional costs. Commissioner Peterson is concerned that the contractors have not been working with the irrigation district. Greg has not heard from them and assumes that everything is going well.

Construction is beginning on the houses in the Veranda Beach villa with concrete being poured and some framing done.

Nick Christoph and Commissioner Peterson updated the other commissioners on the proposed Western Grey Squirrel Plan from Washington State Deptartment of Fish and Wildlife. Commissioner Peterson and Nick are submitting the comments on the plan. Comments are due by August 15^th, 2006. Commissioner Peterson has drafted a letter to send to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife opposing the plan. The draft plan is attached.

Nick submitted the Bylaws of the Methow Watershed Council. The Commissioners would like him to revise the Article II Board of Directors to specify better how each member will operate. The key is a diverse representation. It is necessary to have a broad selection of people so that all areas are represented. Agriculture, business interests, recreation and private land owners all need to be included in the representation process. Darlene Hajyny asked some questions and voiced concerns about Salmon Recovery. The board agreed that the situation is very frustrating and expressed their displeasure about how they have been treated in the meetings that have been held. Okanogan County will be a member of a Charter on the Columbia River Initiative.

Update - Fire Situation
Several Forest Service representatives attended as well as Sheriff, Frank Rogers and Scott Miller with Emergency Management, to update the Commissioners on the Tripod and Spur Peak fires.

Mike Farress, Information Officer, passed out a Fire Information Update including several maps. Rich Hawkins, California Team; Mike Lohrey, John Newcomb, Mark Moran, Tonasket Ranger District; were some of the people present to help inform the board about their continued efforts to secure the containment line.

There are two zones, 8-Mile Zone (Western) and Conconully Zone (Eastern). Each zone contains different conditions and weather. When the wind or weather is bad for one team the conditions may be good for the other. The Conconully Zone is being fought directly because of the workable terrain. The northern part of the fire has ideal fuel for the fire and is cause of great concern because of the amount of dead forest and the rugged terrain.

There have been no losses to date. There have been a couple injuries such as blisters, sprained ankles, and a mild virus which is normal in such large encampment. Dust suppression is a great concern and will be addressed at a meeting with the Conconully Mayor.

Mike Lohrey explained the forests fire history and the bug killed tree and how it effects the fire and the way it burns. He was here for the Farewell Fire in the past and hopes that because of that burn it will help prevent the fire from spreading to the Chewak. An indirect attack is being used to prevent spreading of the fire. Mike explained the containment perspective and the potential is being reduced day by day. The weather is playing a key point. Burnout has been a steady measure of the fire plan. Bud asked what is burning when they do burnout and it depends on the dead material that is already there. Aerial ignition is being used. Mike is very confident that the fire will not reach Winthrop even though there is the Division Delta will be the trouble spot.

The military has been called in with training to be done by Saturday at which time they will be deployed. Australian and New Zealand crews will be here as well. The military battalion will be used on the lower borders and will be possibly camping in the stampede grounds. Commissioner Hover appreciates the effort everyone has made in keeping the public informed about the fire.

John Newcomb explained where the control points are on the map. The Southwest corner is where they do not want to see it spread and they are working hard to keep it contained. It is very possible that the fire will reach 100,000 acres by the weekend.

Ron Hawkins updated the commissioners on the Loomis side of the fire. The teams are trying to pinch off the fire on the northern edge by building contingency lines. The wind direction plays a key role in this type of prevention. They don’t want to burnout any more trees in the Loomis area and so they are sticking close to the edges with the fire teams. Commissioner Peterson asked whether the wilderness access will be effected and she was reassured that access will be restored by fall.

Ron Hawkins explained the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) point and where they stand. Scott Miller asked how the DNR is working with the Forest Service (FS). The DNR has given the Forest Service Delegation of Authority and are working well with the FS and keeping them updated at least once or twice a week.

Fish Lake Road and Sinlahekin Road are being used to get equipment and fire fighting teams up to the fire. The Commissioners gave the Forest Service permission to grade and water the roads so they will hold together better with all the traffic.

A short film and some slides were shown of both the fires. The beetle killed trees were evident in the slides.

Resolution 96-2006 Supplemental Appropriation - NonDepartmental Current Expense - CDBG Revolving Loan
Commissioner Peterson made a motion to approve resolution 96-2006 a supplemental appropriation from Non Departmental Current Expense in the amount of $558,000 to be used for CDBG Small Business Loan Fund. Motion was seconded and carried.