Jerry and Evelyn Andrews have contributed untold hours of service to this community in their enthusiastic and tireless support of your fire department. These efforts benefit us all with the addition of new or improved rescue equipment, firefighters safety gear and training supplies. Now it is our time to help them…………….

On December 9th, 2011, Jerry suffered an aneurism based stroke and a clot in the left ventricle of his heart. He was taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee then airlifted to Harborview Hospital in Seattle where he remains at this time. Evelyn has stayed by his side in the hospital day and night the entire time. It is anticipated and hoped that Jerry will soon be released to a skilled nursing facility in the Everett area for therapy and rehabilitation.

Jerry has lived in the Lake Wenatchee area for 24 years. He and Evelyn have been married for 16 years. They are self-employed- operating an upholstery, window covering and alterations business from their home and do beautiful work not only on furniture but also for boats and antique cars.

Jerry and Evelyn have been members of the Chelan County Fire District 9 Auxiliary since April of 2004. They have served as officers of the auxiliary and have also been in charge of the annual garage sale many times and have spent countless hours making that event the success it is. Now it’s our opportunity to help them with all the extra expenses of this time of medical crisis. We want to help them get back to our community, healthy and happy, so are holding this fundraiser on their behalf. Please help us help them………….

WHAT: Spaghetti dinner

WHERE: Lake Wenatchee Rec Club at the airstrip

WHEN: Saturday, February 18th, 2012, 5PM to 7PM

Pasta with sauce, salad, bread and desert will be served. Advance sale tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. Tickets at the door are $10.00 per person.

ADVANCE SALE TICKETS MAY BE ORDERED BY MAILING YOUR CHECK (PAYABLE TO JERRY AND EVELYN ANDREWS BENEFIT FUND) TO JIMI WILSON AT 15440 CEDAR BRAE ROAD, LEAVENWORTH, WA 98826. TICKETS WILL THEN BE PICKED UP AT THE DOOR.

Kahler Glen resident Bill Miller gave up some sleep last week to bring us this report from the Snow Grooming Dept.

A few hours after midnight, every winter Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Fred Carani (picture below, from Sunday Jan 15th about 5AM) and William Shepard fire up the state cross-country groomers for a good night’s work. Between them but not always on the same days, they plow all the Lake Wenatchee State Park XC-ski trails, the See and Ski XC Ski trail just East of Midway and Nason Ridge trails.

The PistenBully groomer is a wide tracked vehicle with a plow in front, and tiller, comb and tracker behind, that lays down the track for classic skiers and combs the center area for skate skiers. Its way is lit by spotlights that catch reflective blue diamond signs nailed on tree trunks as guides through the trees and the dark. At times it is only the blue diamond sign that can be seen during a snow storm.

Nason Ridge plowing work takes about four hours and is finished before dawn. The early completion is timed to allow the groomed snow to ‘set-up’ during the coldest hours just before dawn and before being used by skiers. Early in the season, the trail must be packed before it can be groomed. The groomer may also plow ‘extra’ snow into the swales or under trees where the ground is bare.

The grooming crew members are also cross-country skiers and they use the tracks. So when they pull up the tracker as the slope steepens, it is a signal to skiers that challenging terrain lies ahead. We thank them for being so attentive!

From the start of the Nason Ridge trail on Pelton Place in Kahler Glen, a cross-country skier can go out 3 miles to the first intersection or 4 miles to the Butcher Creek gate and this route is called the Lower Nason Ridge XC trail. The Upper Nason Ridge loop is 14+ miles from the first intersection, up and over the summits, and back to the intersection. This requires an elevation gain of another 1000 feet in just two miles. Add the return to Pelton Place and you have a 20+ mile day of variable terrain and spectacular views.

Now that the XC season is underway it is clear that the work done this fall by the 27 volunteer brush cutters was very beneficial, as the trail is wider in many places and interference from overhanging vine maple branches is now at a minimum. For those who that don’t like the steep hill at the start of the Nason Ridge trail, the trail can be accessed from the Pelton Place road which is just a 200 yard walk up Miracle Mile from the trail cross-over. This route is easier and safer, especially when returning.

A note those who use the trails: If someone is afoot on the groomed trail, with or without snow shoes, please advise them that pedestrian use ruins the trails for the classic or skate skiers for whom the grooming is intended. Walkers should be off-trail, or on a trail designated for their use.

With all the recent snow fall the tracks are in excellent shape.   Time for you and your family to get out to the XC trails and enjoy these beautiful trails.

Tomorrow, January 24,  through Thursday, January 26 the Guild staff will be
deep cleaning and organizing all over campus. Care to join us? We’d love to
have you.
Will will start each day at 9:30 in the Centrum and work until 3 or 4 with a
lunch break in the middle. You are welcome to come for whatever length of
time works for you.
Lunch will be provided and, as always, volunteers will receive credit toward
Guild classes.
If you can make it, shoot me a note at katy@grunewaldguild.com.

Lake Wen Cam | Lake Wen Cam 2 | Fish Lake Cam | Trinity Cam | Weather | Pic o Day |

‘Yield to the Moose, they have right of way’

Please read the report below and if you are inclined to write in support or opposition to this project your letter must be received by January 25th. Comments may be emailed and with the short time remaining that is perhaps the best manner of submission. Emailed comments should be directed Anne Hessburg of the Chelan County Community Development Department at Anne.Hessburg@co.chelan.wa.us Regular mail comments should be addressed to Ms. Hessburg at Chelan County Community Planning Dept,  316 Washington Street, Suite 301, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

The Grant County PUD is proposing to build a fish acclimation facility on the White River near Lake Wenatchee. Purpose of the project is to attempt to revive the Spring Chinook run on the White River. A hearing on the application to Chelan County to construct the project was held before Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottcamp in Wenatchee on January 18th. The proposed site is a relatively pristine site on the North side of the White River as you begin to cross the river on the Little Wenatchee Road.

This proposal to restore the Spring Chinook fishery in the White River is part of the relicensing process for Grant County PUD’s Priest Rapids dam. The re-licensing process requires the PUD to mitigate for fish killed going though the dam. This project has the active support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Fisheries, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Salmon recovery boards and fish-advocate organizations.

At the hearing on January 18th Chelan County presented it’s staff report on the project and recommended approval of some portions of the application but recommended denial of several integral parts of the project. All elements of the application must be approved for the project to move forward. The Grant County PUD presented a phalanx of environmental specialists, fish biologists, engineers, fish advocates and, of course, attorneys who proclaimed the absolute need for this project to go forward. Ms. Debbie Knaub of Grant County PUD reiterated in her comments that the several federal agencies involved have made it quite clear to them that this project MUST go forward. The attorney appearing for Grant County PUD, Mr. Donald Dimmitt, urged the Hearing Examiner to over-ride the denial recommendations of the County and stated that should the Hearing Examiner fail to do that, his decision would be reversed on appeal. My take on that comment was that with their deep pockets Grant County PUD is prepared to litigate this issue until they get their way in a decision that rules that Federal regulatory law trumps any local controls. Thus our County agencies have no control.

Grant County first informed the public of it’s designs on the White River in about 2006, after they had already purchased the property on the White River. At the first public meeting, a representative of NOAA was asked if these public meetings and citizens comments really have any impact on the project and her response was quite succinct and brief- her words being words basically “We’ll have these meetings and you can make your comments but this project is going to be done”. Until yesterday I was ambivalent on this project- I’m not a “Not in my back yard” persons. Since that first meeting in 2006 many of us that live here have asked only one thing- show us that this project can be successful. Grant County PUD, NOAA, Washington Fish and Wildlife and other agencies involved have for 6 years resisted commissioning either an independent scientific review of this project or a predation study to determine if the fish released at the White River location could survive the journey through Lake Wenatchee. The lake has a bull trout population that gives that ESA –protected species predator status in that particular lake. Grant County did finally acquiesce and had a basic study done of survival rates of fish released in separate groups at the project site, below Lake Wenatchee and below the Wenatchee River confluence with the Chiwawa River. The study showed a kill rate of 90 % (a survival rate of only 10%) of fish released at the site, and a 45% to 55% rate of survival of fish released at the other sites. To me this suggests that the concerns expressed by many up here for years about the feasibility of this project are well founded. Yet, Grant County refuses to have a predation study done or to attempt to determine why the survival rate was so low. Their refusal to do that only re-enforces speculation that they feel the results would undercut their stated optimism of the chances of this project being successful. As a result of the study GCPUD now says that their plan is to acclimate the fish at the White River location and then truck them around Lake Wenatchee. That does not sound like a long-range, sustainable, successful program to me.

Other issues on this project: The application states that there will be almost 11,000 cubic yards of fill brought in to cover wetlands. That’s a lot of trucks moving around on our roads and I don’t believe the environmental impact of that traffic has been addressed in any way.

There will be man-made log jams placed in the river. This is an area used by many recreational kayakers and canoers and the dangers of log jams to those sports is well reported and frequently a factor in river drownings. Dealing with naturally-occurring log jams are part of being on the river but log jams made and placed by man are just that- man-made obstacles that present additional danger to river users.

I went to the Hearing Examiner proceeding not really set against this project but skeptical because of the intransience of the sponsors in addressing the feasibility issues. Watching the parade of engineers, fish experts, biologists and attorneys it occurred to me that if a citizen or owner of waterfront property wishes to build, remodel, add to or improve his property these days the constrictions of shoreline management pretty much preclude doing any small excavation, additions to buildings, tree removal, etc. No need to even mention dredging,  placing large quantities of fill in the water and covering wetland with four feet of fill.  Such actions would be refused in an instant and substantial fines and penalties imposed if they were done. This is sad- most citizens without big $$ would have to accept the initial decision of the County much less going through a Hearing Examiner process and bringing in, at great expense, their legions of lawyers and selected experts. Approval of this project I think would only re-enforce the perception that if you’ve got the big bucks you can overwhelm the process and then threaten to litigate it to death until you get your way.

Comments are welcome and encouraged. Please do submit your letters of support or opposition as above.

George Wilson

Lake Wenatchee

By: Rick Halsted
We’re looking for a battalion of serious snowshoers.  Or one really tough snowshoer. We’ve got a couple wonderful snowshoe trails that are in real need of packing before the next storm comes along.  The 1.8-mile South Park snowshoe loop offers wonderful and diverse scenery, and usually is a pleasant, mild-to-moderate walk.  Then there is the new “Rock Ridge” trail that climbs up from the Chiwawa Sno-Park – 600′ elevation gain and great views . . . moderately challenging on a good day – but with this snow?  A gut-buster.   30″ of new, light snow (more on the way) presents an opportunity for those with BIG snowshoes to put them to use in conditions they were intended for.  Breaking trail in these conditions is hard work!

If any of you out there enjoy snowshoeing, a good challenge and workout, and are familiar with the routes . . . we really could use your help!  30″ – 36″ snowshoes would be much appreciated by the trail-breaker.

Today is Thursday, January 19th: Since last Saturday we have received 51.75 inches of snow- the temps have been cool so this is still pretty light, dry snow. It is snowing and 15 degrees this morning. For folks planning on coming in for the weekend and haven’t been here this week there will be a lot of snow to move and the forecast right now calls for another 1 to 2 inches today, 1 to 3 inches tonight, 4 to 8 inches Friday, 8 to 12 inches Friday night and 3 to 7 inches Saturday. This continued snowfall has already created parking problems- please make arrangements to have your off-road parking plowed out. Parking anywhere on the travelled roadway is dangerous on these already narrowed-down roads, plows and emergency equipment cannot get through and if seen by the Sheriff’s Department, obstructing  cars will be cited and/or towed. Providing parking for yourself and guests is just part of being here in the winter- street parking is not the answer.

Ice Skating at Fish Lake.   Gary Schuster and the volunteers at the Fish Lake ice rink have taken advantage of the last few  nights of cold temperatures to work the ice rink back into tip top shape.

Groomed Cross Country Routes at the State Park.  The State Park Grooming Crew has been keeping the XC ski trails in great shape in spite of the low snow condition.  Ski rentals are available at the Kahler Glen Proshop.

Skate Skiing in Plain.  The Plain Hardware crew has starting grooming a XC ski track in the fields across the street from the Hardware store.   This is great place to learn to Skate Ski, lessons can be arranged at the Ski Rental counter at Plain Hardware.  Traditional and Skate Ski’s are available for rent.

Snow Shoe Trails.  As we highlighted a few weeks ago, there are some great Snow Shoe trails in the lake area.   Three to try,  1:  Up Nason Ridge to Big Red,  excellent views of the lake along the way.  2:  DIrty Face Waterfall.  Trail starts at the old ranger station.  Approximately 3/4 of a mile,  also provides good views.  3:  Hidden Lake.  roughly two miles from the end of the plowed road on South Shore.  4:  Rock Ridge trail from the sea and ski parking lot  east of the Midway Market.

As published in an earlier posting, the Chelan County Hearing Examiner will hold a hearing on Wednesday, January 18th, to consider application of Grant County PUD to build a acclimation facility in or on the banks of the White Rivers near the Little Wenatchee Road just West of Lake Wenatchee. The hearing will be held in the County Administration Building at 400 Douglas Street, Wenatchee, just across the street to the West from the main county courthouse and jail.

The County has completed a review of the project and will recommend against approval of several of the permits/variances being requested to proceed with this project. I have briefly  reviewed the  report and was amazed for one thing at the amount of fill that that would be moved in this project if it were to proceed.

If you would like to review the county report you can get a copy of it at the County Planning Dept or I can email it to you as a PDF document. This document is over 100 pages so receiving it would be difficult if you are on dial-up. If you wish to get it by email from me reply to gwwilson@nwi.net

George Wilson

Following a  review of the White River proposal and its SEPA determination of mitigated non-significance, a public meeting with the Chelan County Hearing Examiner has been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, 10 a.m.  This is one of the last steps in the County’s decision-making process. The public is invited to attend and comment on the proposal at this meeting. Written comments can also be sent to the Hearing Examiner prior to the meeting at Chelan County Community Development, 316 Washington St., # 301, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

In late March 2012,  the project will be transporting spring Chinook juveniles to the White River temporary acclimation tanks (8 this year), which will all be located at the Bridge Site this year. With the success of last year’s trucked release below Lake Wenatchee, the PRCC Hatchery Subcommittee has decided to repeat this process for this year’s group of fish.  If all goes well in the permit and construction processes,  overwinter acclimation efforts in the new facility will begin  in the fall of 2013. Designs for the facility have progressed to near completion. The Grant County PUD hopes to have a construction contract out for bid by early March and to start construction in late spring.