Here, as promised, is a map of proposed boundaries for a lake management district to pay for control of invasive weeds and toxic algae at Long Lake in South Kitsap.
I’ve written a couple of stories about this recently: One explaining the problem of the weeds and algae, which in the past have degraded the lake environment and spoiled its recreational potential. Today I wrote a follow-up on a public hearing set for April 18.
Treatment of the lake from 2006 through 2010 was paid for with a state Department of Ecology grant, but that source is no longer available.
Property owners on and near the lake later this year will get to vote on whether to assess themselves to pay for weed and algae control.
The cost for lakeshore properties would be $252 per year, under the current proposal. Properties with access to the lake would pay $144 per year; and properties in “close proximity” would pay $52 per year. The boundaries and the assessment amounts, along with pretty much everything else about the proposal, is subject to change. A lot depends on what the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners hears from lake area residents, and other people with an interest in the lake at the public hearing on April 28 (we’ll remind you when and where as the hearing gets closer).
In the meantime, if you have questions, visit the website of the group Citizens for Improving Long Lake, which initiated the process for the election. Or contact Eric Baker, Kitsap County special projects manager, at ebaker@co.kitsap.wa.us or (360) 337-4495.
