Message from the Chair (PDF >)
Spring is literally blooming with exciting things for Cascade.
Cascade is beginning its first year of operating Lake Tapps, and it is an honor, a privilege — and often a challenge. You will see throughout this newsletter the important work we are doing with Lake Tapps and the community.
Lake Levels
Lake Tapps today is full, beautiful and waiting for recreation enthusiasts to enjoy! After some initial concerns that Mother Nature was not very plentiful with moisture as we set out to refill the lake, She came through – with some help from our scientists and technicians – to get lake levels up to full recreational levels before the beginning of May. While the lake was drawn down in the winter to allow for dike repair, dock maintenance and milfoil control, the refill was more difficult than in the past.
Cascade’s 2009 agreement with the Lake Tapps Community Council (LTCC) states that Cascade will begin filling the lake in February, which it did, aiming for a full lake by April 15. The refill began in coordination with the LTCC, and following agreements with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Puyallup Tribe of Indians (to ensure in stream flows for fish) but it stalled due to the lack of rain. Once precipitation began again at the end of March, lake levels rose quickly to the current levels.
Thanks to the community for working with us as we experienced our first spring as the new lake owners. Cascade will keep lake levels between 542 and 543 feet throughout the summer months.
Milfoil Eradication
We are striving to eradicate milfoil, an invasive plant, and at the same time, work with homeowners on best practices for yard care – all to keep this lake beautiful and healthy. We’ve hired an environmental consulting firm, Tetra Tech, to develop a plan for milfoil eradication and held two public meetings to listen to and give the community a look at what we have in mind. What we’ve learned from the consultants is that milfoil eradication on the scale we see in Lake Tapps will take at least five years with on-going monitoring after that. At a third public meeting on June 10th we’ll present the completed plan. Watch for more information to come.
Long Term Planning
Our 2010 Transmission and Supply Plan planning process continues to progress. We have established the amount, or demand, of water Cascade members and others may eventually need, and now we are examining options for supplying that need. This includes working with Seattle and Tacoma Public Utilities for additional future water supplies. If that is achieved, it could in effect put off using Lake Tapps as a municipal water supply source for decades. Cascade board members are reviewing a series of proposed portfolios (combinations of supply sources) and over the next few months will be determining what works best for Cascade and its members. Board members will take into account financial, environmental, risk, supply reliability, operational, and implementation factors when making their decision.
On a parallel track, as you know, we have submitted our environmental work to the State Department of Ecology (DOE) for water rights for Lake Tapps. This effort was out for public comment. In addition, the State DOE has issued its draft Report of Examination (ROE) and is seeking comments.
Cascade Leadership
Cascade Water Alliance held its annual meeting in March and elected new officers. I agreed to serve another term as chair. Redmond Mayor John Marchione will assume the duties of vice chair, and Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton will continue to serve as secretary-treasurer. Other board members include Bellevue Councilmember Grant Degginger, Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet, Issaquah Council President John Traeger, Covington Water District Commissioner David Knight, and Skyway Water and Sewer District President Jon Ault. Alternate Board Members include Bellevue Mayor Don Davidson, Kirkland City Councilmember Doreen Marchione, Issaquah City Councilmember Mark Mullett, Redmond City Councilmember Hank Margeson, Tukwila City Councilmember Verna Seal, Joyce Clark from Skyway Water and Sewer District, and Robert Brady from the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District.
We all look forward to continue serving our almost 400,000 residents, more than 22,000 businesses and working with our new neighbors in and around Lake Tapps, and to a beautiful and safe summer on our new lake!
Lloyd Warren, Chair of the Board
