Community Groups 1-4-08

We have been asked "Just how many community groups do you have in Illahee?" " What do they do?" and "How do you keep track of all of them?"

Our website person, Laurie Jones, has been asking these questions also, so we felt it was time to try and respond.

Group 1 - The oldest and only official elected group is the Port of Illahee. It is the Port's boundaries that essentially define the Illahee Community, which can be seen on our website illaheecommunity.com. The website also provides information on the Port and the current Port commissioners.

Group 2 - The Illahee Community Club is the next oldest group. It has been in existence for many years in one capacity or another. The IRS listed the club's tax exempt status as inactive in 1982. In 2000 new Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State, and then in November of 2007 the Club was reorganized with the appropriate papers filed with the IRS and the Secretary of State. As a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation, the club can collect membership dues and other monies in accordance with its organized purposes. The club is currently concerned about stormwater issues and overdevelopment plans that are not in agreement with the draft Illahee Community Plan. The club would like to have every resident be an active member with dues at only $10 per family. Please e-mail us at web@illaheecommunity.com if you would like an application.

Group 3 - The Illahee Community Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) represents about 100 community members who volunteered to help write the Illahee Community Plan. The group has prepared several drafts of the plan, but has been advised by Kitsap County that they need a county planner to work with them through a public process in order to meet all the county's requirements. The latest version is on the community website under "Community Plan." They have been advised that they will have planner support in early 2008.

Group 4 - The Illahee Preserve Stewardship Committee was established in 2003 by the County Commissioners to prepare a Stewardship Plan for the Illahee Preserve. The Committee has been working ever since with the County Parks Department to provide support and on the ground work within the Illahee Preserve. The Committee is looking toward a new official entry and parking lot at Almira and Fuson and an update to the Stewardship Plan in 2008.

Group 5 - The Illahee Forest Preserve (IFP) group was established as a 501.c.3 non-profit organization to support the Illahee Preserve in ways that the Stewardship Committee could not. The IFP is eligible to apply for grants and accept gifts in support of the Preserve. The IFP was successful in applying for a Coastal Protection Grant that resulted in the purchase of prime Preserve property in 2006. The IFP just completed a two year grant with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that included Illahee Creek water quality testing, removal of invasive species, riparian tree planting, salmon restoration studies, and a basin assessment. The results will be posted on the community website in the near future. The IFP has also responded in behalf of the Preserve such as when the Preserve wetland buffers were threatened or when Illahee Creek was threatened by questionable stormwater practices. The IFP is also looking for new members. Please e-mail us at web@illaheecommunity.com for an application. Their fiscal year runs from July to June and their dues are $10 for individuals and $15 for a family.

Group 6 - The Illahee Surface Water Management Plan Working Group was established to manage and is responsible for implementing the Port of Illahee's grant with the Department of Ecology to develop an "Illahee Surface Water Management Plan." Information on the grant is available on the illaheecommunity.com website under the "Clean Water Grant" heading.

We are amazed that all these groups seem to be in nearly complete agreement with current Illahee issues. The two membership groups (the Illahee Community Club and the Illahee Forest Preserve) conveyed that they are appreciative of the financial support they have received (and hope to receive) as they take on significant legal costs associated with protecting Illahee interests.

We need to admit that it is not always easy for us to keep track of the different Illahee groups and what they are doing. This information has helped us and we hope it helps you also.

Dennis Sheeran & Jim Aho

PS We have just set up this community weblog, where the community updates will be posted, so all will be able to comment and see other's comments. Please feel free to add your comments. If you have any questions about the blog, please e-mail us at web@illaheecommunity.com.