Owl, Film, Sign, Clean-Up - 1-20-11

Owl Report.  The following owl report came in a couple of weeks ago.  These owls are so small you can hold them in the palm of your hand and we wish we had such a photo.  The attached link below shows just how cute they are.  We also had a report of a Coopers Hawk on Classic Ave last week.

The northern saw-whet owl is back!  This little owl spent several months last year looking for a mate in the ravine behind Roosevelt Street.  His call can be mistaken for an alarm clock or the beeping of a truck backing up - it's high pitched and very regular.  He is back in the preserve although he seems to have moved up the ravine to a place west of the vacated portion of Rest Place.  According to Vic Ulsh, "They are cute little rascals.  The big bully 'barred owls' who roam Illahee Forest can be predatory on the little saw-whet owls so I worry about them."  Although their mating call can be annoying at 5:00 in your backyard, we are all hoping that he succeeds in finding a mate this year!

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/9/overview/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl.aspx

Seattle Film Showing.  We are late in posting this notice as this film showing is tomorrow evening in Seattle.  Note that Shelly Solomon is the filmmaker who is working on a film on Illahee.  She has done some amazing films, as you can see below, and we are fortunate to have her helping us get the message about what is happening in Illahee and to our watershed.

Public Environmental Film Event: sponsored by Feathered Friends and Sustainable Seattle
Friday Jan 21st, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location
Feathered Friends
119 Yale Ave. North (just down the street from REI)
Seattle, WA
http://www.featheredfriends.com/retail_store/Events/leapingfrog/leapingfrog.html
Filmmaker Shelly Solomon
Throughout Ms. Solomon’s career as a biologist, she has been struck by the fact that so much of the positive work being done in the environmental field, has gone unnoticed. It seemed only natural to Shelly that a better-informed public would lead to a more engaged public. Ms. Solomon started Leaping Frog Films to “Get the Word Out” about these positive stories. Solomon recently received Sustainable Seattle’s 2010 “Leadership in Sustainability in the Natural World” award for her film work.

Find below 2 films that will be showing, plus 2 pages of film reviews

Buried in Sawdust for 50 Years” and the Unintended Consequences
This is a fascinating film about how a Washington estuary was filled with milling waste to a depth of 60’, where it remained for 50 years and how a local nonprofit secured over one million dollars to restore the estuary back to its original tidal elevation. Highlights of the film include an examination of the chemical contamination resulting from 50 years of accumulated wood waste, interviews with an original mill worker and his memories of the operation, discovery of the original estuary elevations with plants and tidal channels still in-tact, and finally, the returning of tidal waters to the estuary for the first time in 50 years. Project partially funded by Salmon Recovery Board. Created by Leaping Frog Films.

Almost Lost but not Forgotten - Pinto Abalone Recovery in Washington State
Puget Sound is full of many treasures, and the native abalone is among the greatest.  At a NOAA's Mukilteo lab and a small abalone nursery in Port Gamble pinto abalone are being grown for re-introduction into the wild. In the summer of 2009, over 1,200 animals reared in this facility were outplanted into Puget Sound, representing the most substantial abalone recovery effort to date in Washington. Pinto abalone - the only abalone species found in Washington - may be at risk of becoming locally extinct.  The natural population has plummeted over the last several decades and there are too few abalone in the wild to successfully reproduce.  The goal of this multi-faceted abalone recovery program is to increase densities in the wild and build sustainable populations of this important species for the future.  This film showcases different aspects of recovering abalone populations in Washington State from spawning adult brood animals, to tending juveniles during months of grow-out, to careful reintroduction into the wild. It's a big undertaking involving conservation genetics, state-of-the-art hatchery rearing techniques and lots of collaboration between scientists, NOAA, WDFW, tribes and community groups. Created by Leaping Frog Films.

Preserve Brush Picking Signs.  Soon there will signs posted to tell people more explicitly that brush picking in the Illahee Preserve is illegal.  The Park's Department had the attached sign made up for Banner Forest and we asked for some for Illahee.  The signs are in English, Spanish and French in case so there should be no problems understanding for those who don't speak English.  

Preserve Clean-Up.  There are a number of people who help keep the Illahee Preserve clean of trash, along with the Chalice Heart group the routinely picks up trash along Thompson Lane, which is especially important now that the gate was damaged and considered too expensive to fix.  We took a picture of Jay and Rob last Saturday as they were helping with the clean-up on Thompson Lane.  Also included is a picture of a TV set that was dumped along the road.  These are the disappointing events that are offset by those who volunteer to help clean up.  Thanks to all those who keep the Preserve and Thompson Lane picked up!

Illahee Community Clean-Up.  We know of at least 4 people who have been regulars at picking up the roadways and ditches in the Illahee community.  They are Rob, Carol and Carole, and Dennis.  You see them carrying bags for the garbage they pick up as they get they do their regular walks.  They have told us that the bending over to pick up things and then carrying the bags greatly increases their cardio-vascular workout over just walking.  We have heard there are also others who are regularly picking up trash and we would be happy to recognize them for their efforts.  Please let up know who they are.

Jim Aho

Meet Filmmaker & Discuss Possibilities on Friday 10/15 - 10/13/09

Film Meeting Friday (10/15) Evening.  This Friday we will have an opportunity to meet Shelly Solomon, the filmmaker who will be doing two films on Illahee.  It will also be an opportunity for local residents to weigh in on what they would like to see presented, especially as the film will present some local history of Illahee.

Meeting in Port of Illahee Office.  We will meet in the new Port of Illahee office which is the residential building at 5560 Ocean View Blvd, at 7 pm.

What Issues should be Presented?  We received a box of shells from someone who collected them roughly 50 years ago along the Illahee Shoreline (see attached photos).  We were surprised that they had come from here because we had never seen shells like these along the beach.  Should these be shown as an indication of how the beach creatures have changed over the years?  This is just one question or issue that we may want to see included.  Shelly is a biologist and is interested in issues like this.

Sediment Issues.  A number or shoreline residents have commented on the buildup of sediment, primarily north of Illahee Creek and around the Illahee Community dock.  Should we have a diver film the buildup of sediment under the dock and floats?  And there are stories about people getting stuck in the mud in the vicinity of the dock.  Should these be included?  What about those waterfront property owners whose shellfish beds have disappeared?

Who Should be Interviewed?  We will need to come up with a list of those in the area who should be interviewed or whose story should be told.  There are residents who have lived near Illahee Creek and know it better than anyone.  Also, there are those who have lived on the shoreline at areas from University Point to Illahee State Park, and places in between, who can tell us the changes they have seen over the years.

Who Should Attend?  Anyone who has ideas and who would like to have some input into the Illahee film.  Remember that Illahee is new to Shelly and she needs to be brought up to speed on the history.  We need broad input and hope to see many of you there.

Jim Aho

Video / Store / Petition Info - 10/10/10

Filmmaker Selected to Tell Illahee Story.  We received an email on October 9th, that a filmmaker had been selected to prepare a film about Illahee and more specifically to cover the findings in the Illahee Creek Surface Water Management Plan.  The filmmaker is Shelly Solomon of Leaping Frog Films, who has worked in the area for a number of different groups, including the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, whose website contains some of her work http://www.restorationfund.org/news.php.  The film is part of public information and eduction task of the Dept of Ecology Surface Water Management Plan grant with the Port of Illahee that funded the Parametrix study that has been reported on earlier.  It was felt that few Illahee and county residents are aware that Illahee Creek is contributing to the pollution of Puget Sound because of unconstrained storm water, and that the fixes to resolve the problems are estimated to be $20 million.  Two films will be prepared, a short one, approximately 10 minutes, and a longer one, approximately 30 minutes.

Video Advisory Group Meeting Next Weekend.  A video advisory group is being assembled to help with the telling of the Illahee story, which includes covering a brief history of Illahee, and especially the changes to the area and shoreline resulting from the storm water surges.  Please tell us if you would like to help or could recommend people you think should be interviewed for the film.  We are looking at having a meeting next weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday afternoon (10/16 or 10/17).  We are pushing to get things started soon because the grant ends in 2011 and there isn't much time available to meet the deadlines.  Also, Shelly would like to see if anyone has some historical photos of the area that would be helpful.  Please respond if you can help by calling 479-1049 or reply to this email.   

Illahee Store Information.  In our last Update we noted that a number of you had asked about what was happening at the Illahee store with the recent cleanup.  We had a number of responses including one from the person doing the cleanup.  We have permission to attach her response, which follows:

My name is Judy Blank.  I've been an Illahee homeowner, (on Fern Ave NE), for 9 years.  Over the years I've become increasingly annoyed with the continual slovenly appearance and decay of the Illahee Store and property.  When I first moved here, the little store, while not particularly well kept even then, was at least a functioning business.  It is in a pivotal location and heralds the entrance to our neighborhood....setting the tone for our area's desirability or lack there of!  I would never have purchased my home in an area which had a slum property on the corner.....but that is what I ultimately have!  Last week I visited with Michael, a gentleman who's brother owned the property and had passed away some years ago.  It seems the property was allowed to fall into complete disrepair and neglect since then.  Michael gave me permission to go on the property and do some weed wacking and general tidying up.....which I promptly took advantage of and got out there and attacked some weeds and blackberry vines which were taking over the place.  After I had been out there working for a few hours, another Illahee resident, Jenifer Hillyer, pulled up and was curious about what I was doing.  I just told her I was fed up with the ugly eye sore in our neighborhood, (along with likely decrease in property values because of the mess), and that I had received permission from Michael to tidy things up.  She then offered to contribute to my efforts by having an acquaintance of hers bring his truck to haul the debris away!  I was very happy about her contribution and was very pleased to discover that indeed the debris piles were promptly removed.       So as far as I know....nothing else is going on with the property!  But I certainly would WELCOME & PARTICIPATE in any efforts of my community to help improve the look of this derelict property.  Would you know the current owner's name and address so I, (or better yet, WE), might write a letter pleading the case of our neighborhood's desire to have this property properly cared for?

Thank You Judy and Jenifer!  In response your (Judy's) question regarding the property, we have included the following information on the store along with a recommendation that something be done to resolve the issues you raised.

Illahee Store in the Foreclosure List Again.  We also had someone give us the 2010 Real Property Tax Foreclosure Roll that appeared in the legal section of the September 24th Kitsap News Group papers.  On the list again was the Illahee Store.  The store has had liens against it for years, and every year at the last minute, Flett Dairy Inc. has paid the taxes.  So the question for some, will the taxes be paid again? and if not will the store go up for auction?  One of the responses we received regarding the Illahee Store was the following from someone who was ready to purchase it a few years ago if it went to action.

As for the store - we obtained preliminary bid information and ran title and enviromental for the potential of a SDAP or redevelopment on the property.  The costs were staggering and the risk large for an individual so we moved on to some other projects that we have now completed. I personally am not interested in the property anymore but would be glad to share my files and information with someone who is serious about improving it.  Flett Dairy is really only protecting their lien by paying the taxes and doesn't do it until a day or two before the due day to prevent auction by the county.  Federal taxes and enviormental cleanup costs are the real snag to a new owner redeveloping it other than a public entity like the county or port who could conceivably leverage grant money and 'eminent domain' or 'public good' arguments to limit costs or payouts to third parties.

We think the above assessment is a good one and that it is time to form a group of interested citizens to work with the Port of Illahee and/or the Illahee Community Club to resolve the issues.

Port of Illahee Monitoring The Situation.  Those who attend the Port of Illahee monthly meetings are aware that the Port has been monitoring the situation for years and know they tried themselves and through their lawyer to investigate acquiring the property.

Illahee Petition Results.  We just received the latest results of the petition request to the Port of Illahee to do a number of things, including the most controversial, which is the request for the Port to raise taxes in order to possibly purchase the Timbers Edge development from the owner who approached the Port with an offer.  The Port had stated that if the community could get 500 residents to respond (the average number of voters in the last two elections) and if the response was favorable, the would CONSIDER the possibility of raising the Port tax rate.  The bad news is only 142 responses were mailed in, but the good news is that 93.7% were in favor of a tax increase to help Illahee Creek and to purchase the Timbers Edge properties.  It was felt that many did not vote because of the tax increase as Illahee petitions usually get a 25-40% response, and this time it was only 10%.  The Illahee Community Club is now hoping to work with the Port to find a land trust who could help, as was reported in the last Update.

Thank You For Your Responses!  Thank you to all those who respond to the items in these Updates!  An informed community makes for a better community.  And don't forget to let us know what you would like to see in an Illahee film.

Jim Aho