Miscellaneous Items - 7/25/10

We were out of town for awhile and missed a number of events.

Bill Green Memorial Event at the Elks.  We heard the memorial at the Elks was nice tribute to Bill Green, and that Bill Enger did a nice job of moderating the event .  We were glad to see the coverage in the Kitsap Sun which is at the following link:  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/jul/16/bill-green-remembered-as-a-reliable-coworker/ target="_blank"

Sunken Sail Boat at the Illahee Dock.  We also heard a sailboat sunk at the Illahee community dock last weekend and hope that someone may have taken photos and/or have more information, so we can pass them on.

Illegal Dumping.  We receive several emails about some illegal dumping, but without the photos or location.  We need more information so we can pass that information on also.

Gun Shots Fired.  We noticed the following story in the Kitsap Sun and hope someone has some more information on this incident.  Two Arrested in Illahee After Multiple Gun Shots  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/jul/17/two-arrested-illahee-after-multiple-gun-shots/ target="_blank"

Some Responses Regarding Shoreline Walking.  A couple of weeks ago we asked if anyone had thoughts regarding the Public Trust Doctrine and being able to walk on the beaches in Illahee.  We only received two email comments which are:

Re: Beach walking: I suggest you look into the public trust doctrine in Washington. Here is a good overview to start with:

In Caminiti v. Boyle, the Court upheld the dock leasing statute.  But, in a lengthy analysis, it acknowledged that the public trust doctrine has always existed in Washington.  While the state may convey title to tidelands and shorelands, the private owner does not receive the full “bundle of sticks” that all first-year law students learn about in property law.  Instead, the state retains a “jus publicum” or public easement on the lands.  The state may no more dispose of these public rights than it may abdicate its police powers to run the government or preserve the peace.

http://www.celp.org/water/celpaward/Benella_Caminiti.html

Why shouldn't you be able to walk on the beach. If your just walking and looking at critters and rocks... why not. Unless things are out of hand, people are abusing the area or being disrespectful, you should be able to cruz by without being scorned and bullied.  It's on loan from God anyway. 

Homeless Reports in the Kitsap Sun.  We received a number of inquires about the recent articles in the Kitsap Sun about problems with the homeless in an encampment along state highway 303, with people wondering if the homeless were in the Illahee Preserve.  The answer is that the encampment is behind Safeway, though some of people had previously been in the Illahee Preserve.  The major concern with homeless in the Preserve is the fire danger with the Preserve and surrounding forested areas being roughly about 600 acres surrounded by houses.  There are no fires of any kind allowed in the Preserve, but that rule was routinely violated by those who were camping in the Preserve and a number of months ago a transient with a fire was burned so bad he had to be flown to Harbor View for treatment.  The Parks Department and Illahee Preserve groups are carefully watching the homeless situation across the road at Safeway since if it is not resolved the people may be looking at returning to the Preserve.

Reports and Comments.  If it is easier for you to report on any if the events we noted earlier rather than sending an email, please feel free to call at 479-1049.

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 5/27/09

Letters to the Editor re Homeless in the Illahee Preserve.  There was a recent letter to the editor in response to the Kitsap Sun article covered in our last Update.  The blog entries following the initial article weren't very thoughtful or helpful in our mind, but the responses to the letter to the editor were much more interesting and insightful.  See the attached link: http://kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/20/homeless-camps-raising-the-ire-of-illahee-park/

Response to the Illahee State Park Email.  In our last Update we included the text of an email expressing concerns about housing the homeless in a mothballed Illahee State park.  We received comments on both sides, with many of them phone conversations.  Most of those who live near the park and use it often have not experienced problems.  We talked with Steve Ryder, one of the Park Rangers, who said in the four years he has been there that there have been very few incidents and that Illahee is a very quiet and peaceful park, specifically when compared with other parks he has worked in.  He gave as an example this past Memorial Day weekend when the park was full and there was only one havesting citation issued at the beach. We had one person write us that after their hip surgery they started walking through the Park, but stopped when they saw some suspected drug people, which was the only other negative response.  The consensus was that there will always probably be some incidents at any public facility, and that there needs to be some regulatory presence, which is what the email was getting at.  Thank you to all for letting us know your thoughts!

Illahee Bird Watching.  Attached is the results of a recent bird watching event, and an announcement of another one coming up.

On Saturday, May 23rd Idie Ulsh led a guided bird walk thru Illahee Forest Preserve.  A total of 31 different species of birds were identified by sight or sound.  Highlights included a "first time" identification of a Hammond's Flycatcher.  Numerous Western Tanagers were heard thru-out the forest, but not seen.  A Wilson's Warbler was sighted near the gate on Thompson Lane.

Illahee Preserve Birding Tour
Idie Ulsh will be leading a bird walk thru Illahee Forest Preserve on Saturday, June 13th.  The focus will be upon sounds of forest birds.  Idie Ulsh is a Master Birder and past president of Seattle Audubon.  Idie is remarkable with her abilities to bird by ear.  Meet in the new parking lot located on Almira Drive at Illahee Forest Preserve.  From the traffic light on Highway #303 at Lowe’s Hardware, take Fuson Road up-the-hill and follow the hard right hand turn onto Almira Drive.  The parking lot is just ahead on your left.  Space is limited to about 12, so advanced sign up is required.  Bring binoculars. Bird books optional.  Start time is 7AM.  Questions or sign-up?  Please contact Vic Ulsh at work (360) 479-6900 orvic@bradleyscottinc.com.

River Otters.  We have had two emails asking what to do about river otters.  One has 5 of them living under their house and the other wasn't specific.  We used to have three of them living near us, but we have some small dogs that get loose now and then and are small enough to go through the brush to their den, and so we think they moved, and probably ended up at these other residents.  It shouldn't be too long before the otters will have their young and will hopefully move on. 

Suggestion?  Those with the otters are asking for suggestions on how to deal with them, other than contacting the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  If you have any ideas, let us know and we will pass them on.

Status of Incubating Goose Eggs.  We had reported earlier of a disturbed Canada goose nest that still had two eggs in it.  We tried incubating the eggs for five days without success (see the attached photo).  We finally broke open the eggs to see if they had been fertilized and the found they had with nearly complete chicks inside that would probably have hatched if they hadn't been disturbed by probably a raccoon or possum. 

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 5/18/09

Monday Illahee Community Meeting.  The Monday (5-18-09)meeting @ 6:30 pm at the Unitarian Fellowship Church on Perry Ave is a quarterly ICC meeting, but theprimary issue to be discussed is whether the Illahee Community can come up with a counter proposal to the Timbers Edge plan.  There is evidently a draft of a proposal that will be passed out at the meeting.  If you have any questions we will be glad to pass on what we know.

 

Tuesday Illahee Forest Preserve Meeting.  This meeting will be held on Tuesday (5-19-09) at the Eagles Nest at the Fairgrounds beginning at 6:30 pm.  The primary issue on the agenda is a sheriff''s representative to talk about various issues within the Illahee Preserve, the major one being homeless camps.  This should be a great interest to Illahee residents because of the potential for fire damage to the 460 acres of Preserve forest land in an otherwise urban setting. 

 

Concern Regarding Homeless Camps in Illahee State Park.  We received a copy of an email that was sent to Patty Lent, who was quoted in a Kitsap Sun article as suggesting that if Illahee State Park is mothballed that maybe the homeless could camp and help take care of the Park.  We think that the Park will not be mothballed, but found the email very insightful regarding possible issues with those using the facilities.

 

I realize that your suggestion regarding the use of Illahee State Park if it is closed to the general public because of budget constraints was based on your compassion for the individuals that are homeless. My wife and I have lived adjacent to the park for 23 years. I have been a park volunteer in the past. We know exactly the events that occur in the campground on a daily basis under "normal conditions". The campground host is not there to be a friendly guide for campers, they are there to control the behavior within the campground. Sometimes they do and sometimes they are not able to maintain control. I truly believe that you don't understand the impact of your homeless shelter proposal.

It is true that I do have somewhat of an "not in my backyard" attitude but we understand the unpublished events that happen on numerous occasions within the campground and the remainder of the park. Today neighborhood families will not let their children walk through the campground and park without supervision because of what has happened in the park. I know of adults that won't walk into the park without a weapon on their person. The park manager and assistant park manager carry weapons for their own protection. These conditions exist in a facility open to the general public. Do you have any concept of what conditions would be like if the front gate were locked and as you suggested the facilities become a homeless refuge?

I do hope we can continue this dialogue.

 

Let us know your thoughts and we will pass them on.

 

Jim Aho, Phone 479-1049

Miscellaneous Items - 5/15/09

Important Meeting on Monday.

 

ICC Meeting Monday (5-18-09).  A very important Illahee Community Club meeting will be held Monday evening at 6:30 pm at the Unitarian Fellowship Church at 4418 Perry Avenue.  The meeting is the quarterly ICC meeting, with the primary item on the agenda being to come up with a community "counter proposal" to the Timbers Edge project.

 

Counter Proposal.  The reason for coming up with a "counter proposal" is to see if the community and the developer can come up with an agreement both parties can live with.  The developer and his engineer have decided what kind of development they would like build, but the community has some major concerns with what they are planning, so now it is time for the community to come up with a counter proposal of what kind of development they would like to see.

 

Primary Meeting Goal - A Counter Proposal Acceptable to the Community.  We have talked with many and all have agreed that the developer should be able to develop the property, but not with the adverse impacts on the community, the creek, and the aquifers.  During prior discussions with community members alternatives have been presented and seem to have a common theme.  It is that common expressed theme that we think will be expressed on Monday and will result in a proposal that is acceptable to the community.

 

Illahee Residents Need to Attend.  This single project has the potential to impact the Illahee Community more than any single project in recent decades.  We would encourage as many people as possible to attend.

 

Help With Fundraising?  Linda Hinde, an ICC board member, is wondering if there are any volunteers who would like to work with her on looking at fundraising possibilities?  Let us know if you would like to help and we will pass the information on to Linda.

 

Another Important Meeting on Tuesday.

 

Illahee Forest Preserve Meeting on Tuesday (5-19-09).  Another important meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.  The Illahee Forest Preserve meets at the Eagles Nest at the Fairgrounds from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  The primary item on the agenda for this meeting will be a meeting with a Sheriff's representative to talk about what to do with the homeless who are setting up camps in the Illahee Preserve.

 

Homeless Camp Report Today.  We received the following report of more homeless in the Preserve:

 

I just received a report of 3 (or possibly more) new homeless camps within Illahee Forest Preserve.  Location is reportedly near Highway #303, just south of the Park-N-Ride.  The report suggested the property adjacent Safeway has gotten so full of homeless camps that some of the homeless are now moving their camps directly across Highway #303 into Illahee Forest for more space.  Apparently there is a faint trail access along the fencing immediately north of the vacant car sales lot.  This is not believed to be the primary point of access because the trail is not well defined.  I hope to check this situation out myself early Saturday morning.

 

Illahee State Park Update.  We received the following information from our State Representative Christine Rolfes regarding what was happening with the State Parks.

 

State Parks and Recreation Commission
schedules special meeting in Olympia
OLYMPIA – May 11, 2009 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will have a special meeting May 19, to adopt an implementation plan for the 2009-11 budget, contingent upon the Governor’s signing.
The special meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, in Room N 108 of the Tumwater Office of the Washington State Attorney General, 7141 Cleanwater Drive S.W., Olympia. The agenda is available online at www.parks.wa.gov. Time for public comment will be made available for items on the agenda.
Parks will remain open during the 2009-11 biennium as the result of action taken by the Legislature to establish a new revenue source for State Parks. When vehicle owners register a new vehicle or receive their annual license tab renewal notice from the Washington State Department of Licensing, their total bill amount will include a $5 donation to keep parks open, unless they specifically choose not to include the donation. Budget language adopted by the Legislature says that parks will remain open in 2009-11 unless sufficient revenues are not collected from the program.
In its Operating budget, State Parks will take a reduction of $52 million in General Fund tax dollars in 2009-11, out of $100 million General Fund in the current budget. The Legislature intends that most of this funding will be replaced by the new donation program and a temporary shift of fuel taxes associated with off-road vehicle and marine recreation uses. In addition to replacement funds, expenditure reductions are necessary which are outlined in the implementation plan. These reductions include holding staff vacancies and reducing functions at headquarters to reduce $3.8 million; consolidation of region offices from four to three to save $1 million; reduction of non-core programs at $1.3 million; and reduction of equipment expenditures by $2 million.
The plan also will include a fee increase of $2 for camping effective July 1, 2009. The camping fee increases were authorized by the Commission in August 2008 but were administratively delayed until the budget process was completed. The fee increase will apply to new reservations made after July 1. The increase will bring the range of camping charges to $19 to $24 for standard (tent) sites and $25 to $33 for utility sites.
The agency’s Capital Program budget for new projects is $25.5 million in state bond money, reduced by 60 percent from the current budget. The agency must cut indirect and management costs by approximately $3 million. The plan also reduces reliance on outside consultants and reorganizes Capital Program staff in the three remaining regions. 
The Commission has been encouraged by the Legislature to continue pursuing transfers of 13 parks that were deemed potential transfer candidates earlier in the state budget process. Any of these that are not transferred to be operated by other local governments will remain open under State Parks management in the 2009-11 biennium, unless collections of new donation and other revenues prove insufficient.
The Commission also will consider a proclamation of appreciation to the public, the Legislature and the Governor for demonstrated support of State Parks during the past several months while the state budget was being prepared.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of more than 121 parks and several recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The 96-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

 

Canada Goose Report.  The Canada goose goslings are emerging.  We have had one family with 4 goslings that are getting quite big, and another family with 5 small goslings.  The goose that we are monitoring is still sitting on her nest.

 

Jim Aho

Wildlife & State Park Info - 4/18/09

Recent Photos.  In the past few days we have been receiving a number of wildlife photos.  In this update are some bird photos.  Deer (alive) photos will be sent in a later update.

Killdeer Nest & Killdeer.  The first three photos were evidently taken on Thursday.  Following is text of the email we received.

Here are some pictures of our Killdeer and her nest.  She first scolded me, then tried to lead me away with the old broken wing trick, then she watched as I took pictures of her babies.  Where's Waldo:  In picture 10 can you find the nest?

Eggs Hatch.  On Friday we received the fourth photo and the following text:

3 of the 4 eggs hatched today.  The chicks are even harder to see than the eggs....

Eagle on Nest.  Today we received the eagle nest photos and the following text:

Attached are photos of an eagle sitting on a nest in Manette taken 4/18/09.  The Lombard Poplar tree has just begun to leaf out in the past 2 days.  I expect we should be getting very near hatch date for this nest within the next week or so (assuming 35 day incubation period). 

Plans for Homeless in Illahee State Park?  In Saturday's Kitsap Sun there was an article about the cut in social services that contained one solution that was being proposed which is to recommended Illahee State Park be used to house the homeless if the park is going to be mothballed.  We thought Illahee residents might like to look at the linked article.

http://kitsapsun.com/news/2009/apr/17/groups-preparing-for-the-rollback-of-health/

Thank You!  Thank you to all for sending the photos.

Jim Aho

Illahee Preserve & Misc Responses - 4/17/09

Preserve Issues.  We just received the following email regarding something happening (Friday morning) at the Illahee Preserve:

 

On the way to Lowes passed the new Illahee Preserve parking lot and noticed a large fabric object just inside the gated area. Looked like a collapsed tent.

On the way back from Lowes noticed sheriff and numerous other people gathered near the fabric. Just got a glimpse in passing by.

 

Homeless Camps?  We think the gathering is a planned meeting to discuss what to do with the homeless camp sites that have been discovered in the Illahee Preserve. 

 

The Issues.  Some think that with the economic downturn that the homeless should be allowed to camp in the Preserve.  The Illahee Forest Preserve group, while being understanding of those wanting to help the homeless, is concerned about the fire danger to the Preserve and the surrounding urban area.  The Preserve is 460 acres and the surrounding forested areas would bring the total to approximately 600 to 700 acres that would be in jeopardy if there was a fire.  This is major public safety issue that needs to be responded to quickly.

 

Questions Regarding the ICC.  We routinely have been asked about the Illahee Community Club.  It would be nice if they had a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document, and we will ask them about producing one. 

 

Answers on the Application Form?  In the meantime we looked at their 2009 Application for Membership form, and found it listed the purposes of the organization, that answers many of the questions.  The application containing the purposes is attached.

 

Financial Support of the ICC.  Contributions to the ICC can be sent to the Post Office address noted on the attached Application Form.

 

Additional Reports of Car Break-Ins.  See the following of others who were impacted by the car break-ins:

 

We live on Olive Ave. off Rest Place. We also had our vehicles ransacked and had items stolen. My husband's backpack , seahawks jacket, and mis. items were taken. He forgot to lock his truck. My sons car also was gone through. I guess we all need to be aware of who is walking through the neighborhoods.

 

Deer Photo.  We apologize to those who were upset with the picture of the dead deer along the road.  We were asked to resend the update as there were those who could not read it with the picture at the bottom.  Let us know if you would like us to do that for you.

 

Jim Aho