Notes from the Chair and July WACO Agenda

First, please accept my apologies for missing this communication forum in the June issue of the Breeze. There is no excuse; I simply did not get it done.

July brings some very different kinds of community opportunities: July 2 Don Young offers us a 30 minute conversation, 3:30 PM in the WCC. Then the annual fun of the July 4th Parade, barbecue, pot luck picnic, and lots of games including the DUNK TANK!! Two new fun events on the 4th: a 5k run for the human athletes, sponsored by WHO and a costume dog show sponsored by WDMA. Many thanks to the Fire Dept, the Fire Auxiliary, the Lions and the PTA for joining these other groups and WACO to put on this fabulous and fun 4th!! Do come and bring a big dish of food to share!! 12N is the start time for the parade. And of course, the WACO meeting on July 7.

You may have heard rumors that the 4th wouldn’t happen this year. Of course, we shall have our celebration; we must carry on this wonderful tradition. What did change is the process of managing the parade. Last year a passer thru on the Parks was offended at the short delay while the parade crossed the Parks, the route followed for almost as long as anyone can remember. She complained about this to the powers that be, thus this year and forever more we need to follow the state’s rules and go thru the process to get the correct permits and supports in place. It means more hassle, and more money. So we shall just have to have more fun to counterbalance!! This year, the learning year, is the most difficult. Just like everything else, once we have accomplished the permit process this year, next year will be pretty easy to take care of.

As I have reported previously, we are working to stay aware and communicate with you about several issues that affect different parts of Willow. We are responding in different ways once the community has defined the direction for each issue. Here is a rundown.

• Nothing new about the rail spur issues. We recently heard that Big Lake submitted a very lengthy set of signatures on a petition to have the rail spur miss their back yard. But we have submitted a good portfolio of concerns and opinions and feel comfortable that the process will run out as it will in a fair manner.
• We have submitted a letter stating concerns about the newest gas leasing process from DNR. Unfortunately, the state quietly changed all their rules about gas drilling after the Borough created strict rules specifically about methane gas drilling. If the gas drilling goes forward, for now it would involve the south and east part of Willow.
• The request for reconsideration we submitted about Bullion Mountain to Tom Irwin, the Commissioner of DNR has been accepted, likely among other requests from other groups. The implementation of the Southeast Susitna Management Plan is on hold awaiting his decisions about these requests.
• The Fish Creek Management plan was implemented.
• The Borough’s Forest Management Plan is winding its way thru the process and we will keep you posted.
• Logging leases have been let in a couple of areas despite the community’s vote against these, but as far as I know logging is not yet happening (mostly a winter activity, but….).
• A bullet gas line is in the hopeful stages: this is proposed to follow the utility corridor down the Parks. We have no official plan to review yet and will bring it to the community once we get something, if something happens. And last, I think…..,
• ML&P wants to build a second Intertie to the Douglas substation from the Teeland substation in Wasilla without working with MEA to share a set of poles. The sad truth is, that the particular landowners likely to be affected HAVE NOT been notified, only the community as a whole. I hope to correct their oversight in this regard. July 7 WACO will take a vote (if quorum) regarding a joint resolution with Houston, basically requesting that the two companies work together instead of fighting about drivel. It is a sad state that they are behaving so poorly about each other. Each has presented info to WACO and it is a composite of these presentations that make up the resolution. Basically we are caught in the middle of their inability to work together. If they are allowed to continue this bad behavior, the affected landowners will be expected to give up another 100 foot easement…… That is a lot of land. Please read the posted resolution and come July 7. Houston has already voted unanimously to support the resolution. Individual comments are also welcomed either for or against and we can get you the forms.

And last, Charlie Huggins invited the Chairs of the community councils and the leaders of the senior organizations in his area to an Energy Roundtable last week. At WACO we will be discussing how to get the input of the community to report back at his follow up Roundtable to be held later in July or early in August. Stay tuned.

I heard that the Brunch June 29 was a huge success!! I missed it unfortunately. Something about work getting in the way of life!! Congrats to those who planned and put on this new community event.
I think that is it,
Looking forward to seeing you July 2, 4 and 7!!
In the meantime, let’s all enjoy this beautiful weather and hope the Kings start returning in greater numbers….

Linda Oxley, Chair