LRAA Annual Fees are due March 31st 2023!
 

Invoices for LRAA Association Dues & Water Fees are going out this week. Please note that payment is due by the close of business on March 31, 2023.

• 2023 Association Dues: $709
2023 Water Fees: $365 per water right

Members whose payments are received after March 31 will be assessed 12% interest (compounded monthly) on the outstanding balance, as well as a $50 Late Fee per quarter until payment is made in full.

If you have questions about your invoice or how to make a payment, please use the form on our Contact Us page, selecting “Fees/Payment Information” from the dropdown menu under “Topic.”

Thank you!

 
Wildfire Preparedness & LRAA Community Discussion • Saturday, October 22nd!
 
Illustration of wildfire ember flying to roof of house.

Please join us for a ‘Wildfire Preparedness Discussion’ specific to our Lost River Airport Association and the Methow Valley. Bring a chair & learn more about how to keep our neighborhood safe! This is a free event and all are invited to join.

Discussion to include:

  • Methow Valley & Neighboring Forest Health

  • LRAA Neighborhood Safety & Actions to Take

  • Resources & Local DNR and Okanogan Conservation District Contacts

  • Q&A from LRAA Homeowners!

When: Saturday, October 22nd, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Lost River Fire Hall, Littel Road

Guest Speaker: Guy Gifford, Assistant Division Manager of WA DNR's Community Resilience Program (Wildfire Management Division)

Background: Guy started his wildland firefighting career on a 20-person crew in 1984 for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In 1991 he started his Forestry career in the Spokane area for the DNR and has worked in this area in numerous Forestry positions. Before he became the Assistant Division Manager of the Community Resilience Program, Guy was the Firewise coordinator for the Northeast region, which covers 6 counties. In addition, he served as a Land Owner Assistance Forester (LOAF) in Spokane County. He has also been involved in helping other Methow Valley HOA’s create and execute Firewise USA® Site plans.

Wildlife Preparedness Discussion RSVP

It would be helpful to know how many members plan to attend, so please RSVP below.

 
 

Be BearWise!

“When bears emerge from dens, their digestive systems are sluggish and may take a week or two to gradually normalize. Then, hunger hits hard, and despite eating Spring foods, such as grass, dandelions and tree cambium, their bodies slowly lose more and more fat reserves until WA berries start to ripen.”

For additional facts and (safety) tips for how to live responsibly with black bears, please visit BearWise.

The policy of the DF&W is NOT to capture and relocate bears. If a bear becomes a problem, they will euthanize it. As Sargent Christensen said, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”

If you encounter an actively aggressive bear call the Washington State Patrol at (509) 227-6650 and they will dispatch enforcement officers. Also contact the LRAA through the Contact Us form on our website.

 
Be BearWise!
 

2020 LRAA bear sightings

Every Spring we have a couple of black bears roaming around the community looking for food near the river and throughout the community. But now, with habitat loss due to last year’s fires and a bad berry crop this summer… they’re still here!

We do not want the bears to learn they can get food here. We are asking all members to do their part to keep the bears away. 

Please make sure the garbage shed slider doors are closed and the dumpster lids are secured with the bear bar and lock.

• Store all garbage indoors at your own home/cabin, feed your pets indoors, clean and cover your outdoor grills, and remove food from bird feeders. 

• Be BearWise around your property!

Thanks for your help!


Be BearWise!

“When bears emerge from dens, their digestive systems are sluggish and may take a week or two to gradually normalize. Then, hunger hits hard, and despite eating Spring foods, such as grass, dandelions and tree cambium, their bodies slowly lose more and more fat reserves until WA berries start to ripen.”

For additional facts and (safety) tips for how to live responsibly with black bears, please visit BearWise.

The policy of the DF&W is NOT to capture and relocate bears. If a bear becomes a problem, they will euthanize it. As Sargent Christensen said, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”

If you encounter an actively aggressive bear call the Washington State Patrol at (509) 227-6650 and they will dispatch enforcement officers. Also contact the LRAA through the Contact Us form on our website.

 
Okanogan County Burn Restriction Effective June 15, 2022!
 

An Okanogan County Burn Restriction will be effective from June 15, 2022 12:01 AM (midnight) through October 15, 2022 at 12:01 AM (midnight)

  • NO field/pile/rubbish/rule/slash/yard vegetation or non-emergent agricultural burning on private lands within Okanogan County.

  • Recreational Fires ALLOWED (see definition below)

  • When Extreme fire conditions become present a County-Wide Burn Ban will be implemented prohibiting ALL outdoor burning including recreational fires.


Recreational Fire Definition:

Recreational fires must be contained in a concrete, rock, or steel ring (made from non-combustible material), no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no less than 8 inches in height. The fire (flames) shall be no higher than 2 feet and not conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Recreational fires SHALL be attended to at all times.
Please read the entire resolution for specifics and definitions pertaining to the Burn Restriction. Okanogan County Commissioners Resolution 79 - 2022 [PDF]

This resolution does not apply to areas within city limits, silvicultural burning on lands, regulated solely by DNR’s outdoor burning rules and regulations, fire in DNR recreation sites and campgrounds, or on U.S. Forest Service protected lands and within the Colville Reservation. The DNR, U.S. Forest Service and Colville Tribes may have similar burn restrictions/ban in effect. Some private parcels may also have DNR restrictions if it includes a DNR Fire Tax Assessment. This can be found on County Tax Statements.

For more details visit: Okanogan County Emergency Management

 
LRAA Annual Member Meeting Notice (2022)
 

Please join us for the Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, May 29th over Memorial Day weekend at the Firehall on Mink Road.

Starting at 9 a.m. members can begin to sign-in, update contact information, meet the current trustees, ask questions, and socialize with members. The official meeting begins at 10 a.m. At the end of the meeting, we will serve a picnic style potluck lunch. Bring your own chairs.

This year we have several important agenda items to discuss that would benefit greatly from broad participation and input from the membership. Specifically, we will be reviewing and seeking membership approval of the 2023 budget, discussing our progress adopting WUCIOA, election of new Board members, and discussing the strategic road maintenance plan.

We have some big topics to discuss so please save the date and plan on attending. We look forward to seeing you on May 29. If you have any questions, or if you would like to receive paper copies of the Annual Meeting documents, please contact our Business Manager, Annie Sparrow, at lraa.business@gmail.com.

View 2022 Annual Meeting Documents