The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) voiced support for the establishment of the Offut Lake Management District No. 24 during a county-level public hearing held on Tuesday, November 1.
David Heimer, a noxious weed coordinator from WDFW, said they support the formation of a lake management district (LMD) for Offut Lake, albeit with reservations since noxious weeds and harmful algae blooms (HABS) are currently low in the lake.
“From the records I've reviewed, there does not appear to be an aquatic noxious weed problem nor a pattern of harmful algal blooms at Offut Lake, typically the two factors that drive LMD formation,” Heimer said.
According to Heimer, the main problem in Offut Lake appears to be nuisance vegetation, which, although an irritation for humans, is not a problem for fish and wildlife.
Concerns with proposal
“With some reservation, we support the formation of the LMD before those problems appear,” Heimer added.
Heimer also expressed concern about how the proposed annual rates of Offut Lake property owners were assessed. “The proposed Offut Lake assessment appears to use flat rates with no supporting documentation to explain how they are calculated.”
Based on a resolution recognizing the petition of Offut Lake residents to establish the new district, annual charges will be used to fund lake management activities. The proposed district estimates to generate $82,991 in 2023 through the following charges:
“We feel that the assessment used to fund lake management districts should be calculated in a clear and consistent manner based on applicable laws,” Heimer added. “We are happy to engage in the development and application of that methodology.”
Dumping chemicals
Offut Lake residents also spoke during the public hearing. Most of the residents who gave testimony supported the proposed district. Still, some were against it, citing concerns about paying higher taxes and the possibility of dumping chemicals in the lake to alter the lake’s nutrient content.
The Offut Lake steering committee members explained that dumping chemicals is a last resort. Gary Whitley, the steering committee’s co-chair, said they want to create an integrated aquatic vegetation management plan to determine what needs to be done for the lake.
“We won't know what's necessary until we have an integrated aquatic vegetation management plan that costs between $45,000 and a recent estimate of $55,000,” Whistley said.
“We cannot do that unless we are in an LMD. If the [Board of County Commissioners] let us go to a vote and the voters let us become an LMD, we can qualify for grants to have a scientific study to decide what it is we are actually going to do,” furthered Whistley.
The proposed lake management district will be directed by Thurston County Public Works and will be supported by an advisory committee composed of Offut Lake residents.
With the public hearing closed, the Board of County Commissioners will now determine if they want to authorize Offut Lake property owners to vote on the creation of the lake management district.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here