Dear Lost River Friends and Neighbors,

In recent months we’ve had two critical issues arise with regard to our recycling and garbage pickup.

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1. Glass bottles were placed in the recycling bins.
Please do not do this! A glass bottle that goes undetected contaminates the truck load. As a result, the entire load has to be trashed instead of recycled. I know that many of you come from communities on the Westside where glass can be mixed with other recyclables. Just be mindful that this is not the case in the Methow Valley, and please ensure that guests using your cabins are aware of the glass restrictions. Please take your glass to Methow Recycles in Twisp or, if possible, take it home with you to recycle.

2. Do not dispose of fireplace ashes in the recycling bins or in the garbage dumpsters. This is a serious safety concern. Here’s an article describing how to safely handle and dispose of ashes. If it happens again, we face the possibility of our recycling and garbage service being suspended!

3. Here are a few reminders to ensure good recycling in Lost River:

• Recyclable containers should be Clean, Empty, and Dry.

• Empty bags of recyclable plastics and cans into the recycling bins.

• Empty paper bags can be placed in the recycling bins.

• Plastic bags should go in the trash dumpsters.

• Consult the posters in the recycling area to determine what is and what is not recyclable.

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It is Bear Season again in Lost River. Please ensure that garbage shed doors are closed, dumpster lids are down, and the bars are secured with the U-bolts.

If you have any questions, feel free to text, call, or email me at (608) 466-0560 or lohmankirk@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Kirk Lohman
Lost River Airport Garbage Committee

The Lost River Association Board of Directors is hiring a replacement for our Business Manager. This is a paid position that reports to the LRAA President and works for the Board on behalf of the Association.

If you are interested in applying for the Lost River Business Manager position, please send an email with a brief introduction, your interest in the position and your resume to: lraa.business@gmail.com and lraa.president@gmail.com.

Your interest letter and a resume must be received by February 10th. Thank you!

VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION

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!

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.

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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.

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!

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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.

4th of July Parade • Sunday, July 3rd @ 11 AM