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"Dedicated to preserving our river." |
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| News & Updates |
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Annual meeting postponed due to power outage.
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Rescheduled for Tuesday, May 21st
Business Meeting at 7:00
All property owners welcome. No charge. No host bar available.
If you would like to join us for dinner the "Taste of Tuscany" Buffet will begin at 6:15
Please RSVP to Jackie McDaniels at mjmcdaniels@roadrunner.com or (208) 660-9583
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ULUC Public Meeting
Thursday, October 18th
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Preliminary DRAFT “Text” -&- Preliminary DRAFT “Zoning Map”
Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC) will be presenting the “preliminary DRAFT text” of the new Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) and a “preliminary DRAFT zoning map” in a series of five (5) regional Public Workshops. The public, agencies and all interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend and participate. We need your ideas and input!!
The next one is Thursday, October 19th
6:00 to 8:00 PM
Kootenai County Administration Building, Room 1
415 Government Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
There will also be one on Friday, October 19th
2:00 to 4:00 PM
Rathdrum City Hall
8047 N. Main Street, Rathdrum
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EPA Reponds to Citizen Input
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Tuesday, February 14th, Idaho lawmakers were officially informed that EPA plans to scale down its proposed clean up of the Silver Valley.
North Idaho legislators are pushing EPA to put an end to the Superfund designation.
EPA received about 7,000 public comments and were told by many that their plan was too much and would take way too long.
Click here for a link to an article in the Spokesman Review with the full story.
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| Post Falls Boat Launch Closes |
 The City of Post Falls has announced the launch at Q'emiln Park will close on November 14th for the season.
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| Northern Idaho Water Adjudication |
December 15th is the deadline to file for your water rights with the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This is a $25 fee to file.
This is important to any who have any surface and/or ground water right to protect your status. Click here to read the news release from IDWR,
If you have any questions concerning your filing status, even if you filed post 2008, contact our local office in Coeur d'Alene:
Idaho Department of Water Resources
7600 Mineral Drive, Suite 100 - Coeur d'Alene ID 83815
208-762-2800 www.idwr.idaho.gov
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| SRA Supports Affordable Sewer Rates |
The Spokane River Association has joined many other local entities in support of the newly formed citizens group, "Citizens for Affordable Sewer Rates".
The group was formed by Len Crosby and Craig Wilson and is supported by the CDA Chamber of Commerce, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses.
There are many questions local citizens want answered about why there is such disparity between the standards proposed for northern Idaho and the lower standards in Spokane County as it relates to wastewater discharge and TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) allowed by EPA and being required as a part of the NPDES permitting process.
It is important that property owners contact their government officials and let them know how they feel about the proposed standards that could have negative impacts such as sewer rates twice what they are now and restrictions on local growth and economic develpment. A template letter which contains excellent discussions of the issue is available by clicking here. You can copy and paste it to use as a starter for your own letter.
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| Kootenai County Planning Department Meets |
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The Kootenai County Planning Dept has scheduled a meeting for August 30th , at 6-8 PM at the County Offices on Government way, Conference Room 1. This meeting will address a new set of ordinances to be implemented as a part of the Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan.
Among items to be discussed is "lot" size (increasing to 20 acres from current 5 acres) and increasing "set-backs" (currently 25 ft.) to as much as 75 ft. from river shorelines. This meeting is one of a series of meetings regarding those areas controlled by Kootenai County and primarily affects members of SRA that are on the south side of the Spokane River. The Board of Directors feels this is one of the most critical issues facing our association.
Attend this important meeting if you can.
Rusty Sheppard
Environmental Committee Chairmen
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| Land Use Discussions Proceed |
Newsletter Correction |
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On July 19th the Coeur d'Alene Press published an article detailing the process being used to complete the Kootenai County Comprehensive plan which includes a controversial section regarding land use and site disturbance ordinances.
The portion of the current ordinance regarding the 25' setback requirements could have negative impacts on some Spokane River property owners. Your SRA board has submitted comments that speak to their disapproval of the current rules.
SRA members are encouraged to keep informed regarding this process and to participate in public comments. To read this article, click here.
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Dear Newsletter Readers,
It appears I can't spell appearance. The title in the lead story of the latest newsletter should read, "Summer and Water Make Appearance". I missed it, my proof reader missed it, and the printer missed it. Did you? Into the book of mistakes it goes. Thanks for your understanding. Jackie McDaniels, RiverTalk Editor. |
| Property Tax Statements Cause Questions |
The 2011 Kootenai County property assessments have sent out and many have had questions about the property value they are being assessed. A call received from board member Ross Walkinshaw prompted me to call the assessor’s office to investigate. Ross was concerned that some of his property was assessed at a higher value than last year, when most property values should have gone down or stayed the same.
The very helpful clerk at the assessor’s office explained that the situation she has most often dealt with is a change in the maximum allowed homeowner’s exemption. In 2010 the maximum exemption was $101,153. The Idaho Housing Index re-evaluates the amount each year. For 2011 the maximum exemption is $92,040 which increases the total taxable value on one’s primary residence if they qualify for the maximum exemption amount.
Every situation is different and she suggested that if anyone has a question they are welcome to call the Assessor’s Office for answers. Their number is (208) 446-1500.
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| Meeting and Decision Rescheduled |
 Kootenai County Commissioners rescheduled the below noted meeting to 10AM this morning (April 7th). No decision was made after public comments were entered. Rusty Sheppard was in attendance at the meeting where SRA was in agreement with the position presented by CLPOA. To review their comments go to cdalakeassn.com
County Commissioners say they’re going to take all oral and written testimony (including some new exhibits) under advisement as they deliberate further – with a formal deliberations deadline of April 28th – 10am at the County Admin. Building.
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Kootenai County Commissioners
Consider Site Disturbance Ordinance |
Thursday – April 7th, 6:00 PM
County Admin. Bldg.
Click here to read Draft - 12 of the proposed site disturbance ordinance being presented to the Commissioners by the County Planning Department. Find out how this could effect you and your property.
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Erosion Contol at Greenview Condos
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Cavanaugh's Hospitality (Greenview Condominiums) have applied to the Idaho Department of Lands for a permit to "randomly place 155 cubic yards of riprap material along 530 feet of shoreling for erosion control caused by boat wakes.
The comment period is open until March 6, 2011 for anyone with comments, recommendations, or objections. |
Changes on the Spokane River
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 Our beautiful Spokane River is getting a bit of a face lift. The old pilings left behind by the lumber industry of her past, are bring removed to make navigation safer and in the process bring the river back to her original open water look. The first of three phases of piling removal has been completed.
The first group of pilings to be removed were those that posed the most significant hazard to safe navigation The other two phases are planned for completion before the 2011 boating season begins. These areas are near the Coeur d’Alene Wastewater Treatment Plant and near the Spokane Street Bridge. Funding and weather will determine exactly when these phases are complete. As far as pilings in Cougar Bay, the jury is still out on this as a court case is pending.
Other changes on the river will be seen on a ten acre spot in Cougar Bay. The Waterways Department has obtained and encroachment permit from the Department of Lands to deploy three mooring buoys as well as a line of no wake buoys in a line from Blackwell Island Marina to the point between Cougar and Casco Bays. These buoys are expected to be installed in the spring.
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Adopt-a-Piling Program
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As President, Jim Aucutt reported in the December “RiverTalk” newsletter, SRA is continuing the Adopt-a-Piling program for members to contribute funds to help with the piling removal. Although Kootenai County was given authority to remove the unwanted pilings, they will not provide the funding to complete the project, as they believe the taxpayers of Kootenai County should not pay for something that affects such a small group of property owners. Many members have already made contributions and they are much appreciated, thank you.
SRA is suggesting a $50 donation to the piling removal project. This is a totally voluntary donation and any amount is much appreciated. To make you donation tax deductible, make it payable to the Kootenai County Waterways Department. You can send your check with your dues payment, if you like, and we will forward to the Waterways Department. If you would like to mail it direct the address is:
Kootenai County Waterways Department
10905 Ramsey Road
Hayden, ID 83835
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