When is the SHB (Shorelines Hearings Board) Appeal Hearing?
When is the Timbers Edge Superior Court Hearing?
When is the Fairness Doctrine Appeal Hearing?
Why Haven't You Put Out An Update On These Items?
What Happened at ICC Meeting Last Saturday?
Questions? Above are some of the questions being raised that we have been asked to answer. Also, we had a number of people who couldn't be at the ICC meeting on February 20th who have asked that we put out an update on the meeting. So we will try to provide some answers.
The Legal Questions on Hold? The short answer on the three appeal questions is that they are all on hold as negotiations are taking place between the lawyers to see if they can come up with mutually satisfying solutions that will be agreeable to the Illahee Community and the other parties. During the negotiation process many of the details remain confidential and will be presented when there is an agreement that we can share.
Tens of Thousands of Dollars Spent. We realize that the community has spend many thousands of dollars to protect the community and there is hope in the eyes of the Illahee Community Club Board members we talked with, that the community can put some of this work behind them through the negotiations. Board members can't say much else at this point but do ask that we be patient a little longer.
ICC Meeting Last Saturday. In addition to discussions regarding the above legal issues, a related issue was a report that the Illahee Forest Preserve (the non-profit corporation supporting the Illahee Preserve) met on February 16th and voted to push for a Phase II Plan to continue to acquire or obtain conservation easements on specific properties next to the Preserve and along Illahee Creek. The Plan will probably require a number of grants from various sources to make this happen, including support from the county and the Port of Illahee. Evidently the county has been approached as the next grant cycle for the state begins soon. After the presentation there was a motion that the ICC support the Illahee Preserve Phase II Plan, which was followed by another motion that the Port of Illahee be asked to help with aspects of the Plan.
What Was Phase I? We realize that many are unaware of the Phase I Plan that acquired just over 100 acres of land through purchases, delayed purchases, or conservation easements. The Preserve started out with 352 acres of the formerly Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land and with the Phase I purchases now consists of approximately 460 acres.
Phase I Acquisitions. We have attached the map that shows many of these acquisitions. The light blue parcels in the middle of the map are the 66 acre trade made with North Perry Water District for the water tower and pump house properties in the Preserve. That land was once the water source for historic Illahee and was give the the water district when it was no longer needed as a water source.
Phase II Plan Map Needed. We will be requesting a new map showing the Phase II targeted properties and will provide it when we get it.
Jim Aho
