Visit Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 3 Website

  MISSION STATEMENT:

To Protect & Preserve the Water,

& Enhance the Quality of Life

on Diamond Lake

through Planning,

Visionary Leadership,

& Dedicated Volunteers

for the Benefit of

Current & Future Generations.

Photo courtesy of WA DNR
Remote camera images of wolf pups in Pend Oreille County July 2009

Washington’s second wolf pack confirmed, wolf activity being monitored in Pend Oreille County
Washington’s second gray wolf pack has been confirmed and an adult wolf has been equipped with a satellite-telemetry tracking collar by state biologists in northeast Washington’s Pend Oreille County.
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Moratorium on Vacation Rentals

And Formation of Committee

(Sent to us by County Commissioners)

It is important to understand that the current moratorium is for all vacation rentals in the county, not just for lakes and the river. As (discussed) at our meeting Monday, July 12, 2010, we do not have a legal answer yet as to whether current applications can or would be considered.  There is a legal process in place to consider applications and we are bound by law to follow it.

It is clear to us that the current policy needs to be revisited and the Board of County Commissioners will be appointing a committee to look specifically at vacation rentals.  We will do this according to our Governance Coordination Manual, Chapter 3-3.1 Committees, which follows.

 ARTICLE 3

COMMITTEES, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

3.1 Committees.

All standing citizen committees, Boards and Commissions which are, or which may be hereafter required by State law, shall be appointed by The Board unless specified otherwise by State law.  

All taskforce groups, and the rules or operating procedures thereof, shall be established by a Board of Commissioners resolution. Such committees or groups shall be commissioned for a time certain, not to exceed two (2) years or the term of the appointing Chair, whichever is less and provided with a clear task description and “sunset” provision.  Appointment shall be by The Board. Such committees shall be subject to review, whenever new Commissioners are seated, so as to determine whether the committee and its functions continue to be appropriate and necessary. 

Other special ad hoc committees and Commission liaisons for a particular purpose may be appointed by The Board for a time certain, not to exceed the term of the appointing Chair, along with a clear task description and “sunset” provision.

Committees, liaisons and citizen’s advisory or taskforce groups shall be given an opportunity to make a recommendation, when appropriate, on proposed ordinances, resolutions and motions within their area of responsibility or interest, before action is taken by The Board. The appropriate spokesperson may present the recommendation(s) during discussion of that business item on a Board agenda.

No Citizen Board or Commission, advisory to The Board shall take votes for final action outside of an open public meeting.

end of 3.1

The committee’s composition, purpose, tasks and timeline will be outlined and the members will work closely with Community Development Director, Mike Lithgow.  We understand the urgency that is being felt at Diamond Lake on both sides of this issue, but, we also have an obligation to do due diligence and thoroughly study the issue.  We have confidence that an acceptable long-term solution can be reached.

We appreciate your support in the establishment of this committee and we will keep you informed as the process goes along, as we will be asking for regular updates from the committee.  In turn, we would ask that you share this letter and post it on the Diamond Lake website for all Diamond Lake property owners to read.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diane Wear

Diamond Lake

is one of many natural lakes of northeastern Washington. It lies in the southern part of Pend Oreille County, about 7 miles southwest of Newport. Diamond Lake appears to have been formed by a dam of sand and gravel washed out from a glacier, blocking the valley in which the lake is now found.

Size (acres)                                             800

Maximum Depth (feet)                             58

Mean Depth (feet)                                    27

Lake Volume (acre-feet)                    21600

Drainage Area (square miles)            17.40

Altitude (feet)                                       2340

Shoreline Length (miles)                        7.0