These notes were taken by an Okanogan County Watch volunteer. Every attempt is made to be accurate. Notes are verbatim when possible, and otherwise summarized or paraphrased.
Note takers comments or clarifications are in italics. These notes are not the official county record of the meeting. For officially approved minutes, which are normally published at a later time, CLICK HERE.
The time stamps refer to the times on the AV Capture archive of the meeting on this date at the County livestream archive. To locate items in real time, the clock on the wall in the AV Capture screen can be helpful.
06.03.2025 Tues PM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office manager, Curtis Bryan, gives update on projects in the county; Stage 1 burn ban implemented with Stage 2 being the most restrictive, reports some staffing problems – no engine captains to man firetrucks – hopefully positions will be filled by the end of June, Eagle Lakes fire restoration/stabilization, some seed projects with new chemicals available, timber sale on Lenmanasky Mountain, somewhat involved in Enloe Dam determination but Okanogan PUD is the final say. He guesses there are about 75,000 acres of BLM ground in Okanogan County. There is also an ability to purchase other land when some parcels are sold. There is a shift in focus of priorities d/t new Administration-timber production.
• BOCC reports the County fire ban starts this Friday, June 6th,
• BOCC is working on a ballot measure to fund public safety, and thereby not diminishing other County services. $3,000,000.00 is dollar amount of the levy.
• Discussion of Fair Budget; NT has some ideas/possible non-profit like some other counties, music festival, use of LTAC funds. Will be talking with DNR to see why they haven't used the fairgrounds for their fire camp in recent years. That produced good income in the past.
• Approval of water safety grant for the fairgrounds, down payment to Pacific Plus for new county website, fire hardening project on Tunk/ARPA funds, USDA food grant -remaining ARPA funds.
• Update from Matt Marsh, Tonasket Forest Ranger; expects burn ban restrictions at the end of June. “We want campers”, completion of Mt Hull commercial thinning project, Forest Service participate in a firewood opportunity for disabled veterans, June 14-free fishing day for kids at Bonaparte Lake with other sponsors participating, looking for volunteers to help with trails clean up due to lack of staff, new administration priorities-commercial logging. FS still issuing special use permits such as Bike Marathons. Ranger commends Emergency Services for getting fire partners together.
• Meeting adjourned at 3:35