The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on May 4, 2010, with Chairman, Andrew Lampe, Commissioner Mary Lou Peterson, and Brenda Crowell, Clerk of the Board present. Commissioner Don Hover out of the office on personal business.

Update – Sheriff
Scott Miller explained that he would be the only one to report today but that he will present the Sheriff’s report. Scott reported that there was an accident related to the 49er days where a woman was run over by a wagon. He did not know the status as the emergency teams were onsite now. He explained that the Tonasket Schools were locked down due to a veiled threat by a parent. However, the threat did not rise to the point of needing to arrest the person. During the recent wind storm several people experienced damage. Buzz Burney lost a barn and there were a number of fallen trees as a result of the high winds. Okanogan County received minimal damage compared to other areas. The North Cascades highway remains closed. Regarding this year’s flooding potential Scott stated that it looks good for now but that they will be watching the situation closely for the next 4 to 6 weeks. Because of the dry season, there is some concern about the fire season. The Sheriff’s staff took part in an emergency table top exercise and it went well. The all Hazards Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan review will be held in the Sheriff’s conference room on May 18,^, 2010. He hopes that the Commissioners will be able to attend.

Motion - Voucher Approval - Commissioners
Vouchers certified and audited by the Auditing Officer as required by RCW 42.24.080 and those expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a list and made available to the Board. As of this date, the Board did by unanimous vote to approve the vouchers in the amount of $277,357.50 and Payroll in the amount of $1,512,346.50 with the exception of voucher #96456 pending further information. Warrant numbers are cited on the attached blanket voucher list.

Update – Public Works
Frank Sautell and Bob Breshears

Frank stated that there were some trees and signs blown down during the windstorm. Bob Breshears reported on the road projects.

Motion - Approve Consent Agenda
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the consent agenda items 1-7 as presented. Motion was seconded and carried.

Discussion – BLM Resource Management Plan
Karen Kelleher reported that they will be looking at all of eastern Washington. Commissioner Lampe noted that BLM land is so spread apart in small chunks. Karen stated that they have been trying to consolidate the parcels mostly through exchange. Commissioner Peterson noted that the map doesn’t look to be 100% accurate.

Karen stated that BLM would be working on the Resource Management Plan. The last plan was done in 1987. A lot of the land base is new since the last plan. There are about 450,000 acres state wide, mostly on the east side.

Karen asked that Perry Huston define "coordinating status". Perry explained that it is when the county legislative authority has a seat at the table from the inception of projects and being part of the scoping before the public process. Karen confirmed that BLM is still in the beginning stages of scoping. If they create an advisory panel the board would like to have input. Karen stated that there is already an existing resource advisory council for the last 25 years as designated by congress.

Commissioner Peterson stated that the board wants to be on the ground floor before anything is put on paper. The notice of scoping for NEPA just came out May 1^st. There will be a Public Meeting on May 27, 2010, from 6-8 PM for the Initial Scoping on the Resource Plan in Tonasket. The meeting place hasn’t been selected yet. Commissioner Peterson asked for a copy of the 1987 Resource Management Plan. Karen stated that plan is set up by management units. BLM has multiuse lands such as Grazing/timber sales and mining. BLM Land use has changed over the years from fishing and hunting to more recreation. For example wind energy wasn’t considered during the last resource planning. In terms of mineral activity it is mostly sand and gravel.

BLM is putting a lot of effort into managing for Sage Grouse and cultural resource issues. Commissioner Peterson stated that Fish & Wildlife already has 3 major branches of 1000’s of acres for Sage Grouse habitat. The single biggest use is grazing. BLM has over 200 grazing allotments.

Usually BLM has a series of public meetings. The May 27^th is introductory meeting followed by a series of table top meetings with maps asking what are the issues and desired outcomes. Some communities have held their own meetings to develop and propose management alternatives. Perry stressed the importance of the Commissioners taking an active role in these meetings. Karen said that it sounds like the Board is more interested in Cooperating Agency status. Perry stated not at this time. Karen asked if it makes sense gather information at the initial scoping meeting to find out the issue and then discuss how they address them.

Perry suggested that there be joint meetings in all the different areas of the county. Commissioner Peterson asked if BLM has considered selling the land to the public. Karen said that part of the management plan process is to look at this option. Scott will call Perry about ???

Commissioner Peterson asked about the roads at Palmer Mountain. They want the gates and roads open. Karen stated that anyone who wants to ask BLM to put a lock on the gate they would give them a letter of authorization. Karen explained that there was a similar dispute and the Administrative Law Judge ruled that the only mechanism to dispute that is to the court. Karen said that in terms of the locked gates BLM should probably go through and eliminate some.