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.
12.03.2024 Tues PM BOCC
Meeting Highlights:
Ecology air quality planner says Okanogan being monitored for compliance of new particle standards, is optimistic end-of-year data will bring county down into “attainment” category; feedback to the standard requested, public hearing December 10th, 4PM; Link to on line public hearing: https://ecology.wa.gov/events/aq/state-implementation-plans/pm25-recommendation-public-hearing-12-10-24. Written comments due by Dec 13, at 11:59 PM. Woodstoves slowly being exchanged for certified stoves but vendors in short supply; citizen complains about orchard burning during burn bans, is told Okanogan is more compliant with restrictions than other counties
ARPA funds approved for Tunk Mt. fire hardening ($42,984) and Indigent Defense ($15,500)
Tonasket ranger reports: - Mt. Hull timber sales of 45M board feet winding up this winter, ranger explains criteria for trees left uncut - forest relatively “unscathed” by wildfires, none over 10 acres, longer window for prescribed burns needed - Budget- plagued Forest Service no longer hiring temporary workers - Colville Forest leading nation for timber volume removed - better communication needed for prescribed burns - $300,000 in Title II funds received for road maintenance and snow plowing of access to sno-parks and for removal of abandoned vehicles and noxious weeds
Meeting adjourns at 4:08