by Richard Uhlhorn
Grizzly bear meeting tonight:
Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gering told attendees at Tuesday evening’s Manson Community Council meeting that Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Chelan County is hosting a “Living with Bears” meeting at Chelan Community Center.
“There will be several guests to help us out with the next steps if reintroduction of grizzly bears happens,” said Gering. Guest speaker Tina Jo Bradley, Chair of the Montana Conflict Reduction Consortium and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Front Ranchlands Group, will be on hand to talk about living with grizzly bears.
Representatives from the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife will also be on hand to explain how the reintroduction will go forward and how they arrived at the decision to put grizzly bears into the North Cascades ecosystem.
“People can share their concerns, but it’s already been decided,” stated Gering. The last sighting of a grizzly in the North Cascades was 1996.
Many people opposed to the reintroduction of grizzly’s say that if they wanted to be there, they would be there.
“Most people don’t support the effort,” explained Gering who added that the timeline has been M
This meeting should be of interest to anyone in the community that is concerned with an apex predator being introduced in the neighborhood. The big question is exactly where they will be released, but I’m sure Pacific Crest Trail users will be concerned and perhaps Stehekin residents
Manson Community Forum:
The next Manson Community Forum is scheduled for October 15, beginning at 6 p.m. at Northshore Bible Church on Wapato Parkway. Manson school and Library representatives have already indicated that they will attend. “The Chelan/Douglas County Transportation Council will also be in attendance,” said Kari Sorenson-Krause. She expects other agencies and organizations to join.
Community Collaboration meeting:
A collaboration meeting between the Manson Chamber of Commerce and the council has tentatively been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 9 at 9 a.m. The purpose is to explored potential changes that could help the community and businesses. More information on this meeting will follow.
501 (C) 3
Councilman Mike Kirk reported on the steps for the council to become a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization that would open up a number of opportunities for the council apply for grants and raise funding. He explained that the council needs to write bylaws as required by the federal government, provide a Tax Payer No. and an address. “Chris (Willoughby) has offered his address as the official address until we can get a Post Office Box,” said Kirk. “All council members will have to sign.”
Incorporation study:
Kirk reported on the efforts to have an incorporation study conducted for Manson. “Some studies have been paid for by (representative) counties and others by the State Department of Commerce,” said Kirk. Gering replied that she would like to know how other counties have paid for incorporation studies. She asked Kirk to find out which counties have paid for studies and she would find out how they did it.
Kirk reported that the State Legislature would have to pass a resolution for the Department of Commerce to pay for a study which has cost $190,000 in the past. “We would like to kick it off in January,” said Kirk.
The study would help determine the pros and cons to incorporation.
He also suggested that the council invite the new elected officials to the December meeting. “By then we will know who will be our new county commissioner,” he said.
Totem Pole road project:
Gering told the council that she didn’t have any good news on the county’s Totem Pole Road project. “It is still happening,” said Gering. “We are having trouble with funding. What was a $4 to $5 million project is now estimated at $9 million.”
The current plan stated Gering is to do the stormwater portion from Wapato Way to Green Avenue with Phase II up to the school in the early fall of next year. “We will start in 2026 while the county continues to find funding.”
Roses Lake contamination:
Gering also reported that there is a bacteria toxin in Roses Lake and the recommendation is for small children or pets to stay out of that lake. Whatever this toxin is, it apparently disappears in winter. She said a sample is being sent to Ecology and that Mike Kaputa, Natural Resources director is following up on this report. He did not mention it at the Watershed Planning Unit meeting earlier in the week.
Gering also reported that the county was conducting a homeless housing survey to try an figure out where it can get information.
Post Fire Meeting:
Gering said that the commissioners will be holding a post Pioneer Fire meeting with the National Park Service, Forest Service and DNR to air issues with the management of the fire. “We also are inviting Senators Cantwell and Murray, Representative Schier and Hilliary Franz. The sheriff will also be in attendance. No date has been set yet.
Short Term Rental issues:
Change to the current codes in both the county and the City of Chelan are in front of their respective planning commissions.
Gering said that the county planning commission is asking why the STR code needs changing and what the problems are. “We will get answers to those questions to the planning commission next Tuesday at 10:15,” said Gering. It will be a ZOOM meeting for those wanting to attend.
Gering added that if you are operating without a permit, you are done. She said lodging taxes are down this year. “I think a lot of people are renting without a permit and not paying taxes.”
The county has received numerous calls from angry residents over how the STR renters are abusing the neighborhoods. This includes parking, loud parties, garbage and host of other things.
Kirk asked if the county was comparing current STR rentals with COVID. Gering replied that the county was going back 20 years.
Flint Hartwig, a candidate for Gering’s commission seat, was present at the meeting. He said after COVID things completely changed in the STR market. He also stated that the housing market is drying up. “After COVID everybody went to Mexico or Europe,” he said, adding, “the market is moving.”
Gering said that over the last two years, the county has received 170 complaints. There is a 24-hour complaint line on the County’s website – 509-293-4577.
Marcus Smith, an orchardist, said that people come to the valley for the open spaces. “If we don’t do something, it (agriculture) is going away.”
The next meeting will be the second COMMUNITY FORUM at North Shore Bible Church’s “Sowers Hall on October 15 beginning at 6 p.m.
All Things Lake Chelan 