Sept 13, 2024– Road Grading Update-from Road Director Dalgliesh
Rain on Wednesday and Thursday allowed for grading activity on Thursday and Friday. The following roads were full length surface maintained: Gregory Creek Rd, Shuck Creek Rd, Hammer Creek Rd, Pine Ridge Rd and the South of Big Canyon Rd. Surface maintenance and repair from a washout was done in Orchard View Rd. Sun and heat left dust starting to arise on roads Friday afternoon. There are still several high priority roads we would like to maintain and repair immediately as of this report. Thank you to all members who participated in the rain dance after the meeting Tuesday. The broken hip and several twisted ankles was well worth it considering the rain we received!
Sept 12, 2024 — ROAD GRADING NOTICE— !!!!
Please exercise caution and care as there will be road grading work on TRR POA roads starting on Thursday, September 12, 2024 and possibly over the next few days. Please remember that the grader cannot stop quick or maneuver easily–give the operator courtesy and time to take advantage of the recent rain and get as much accomplished as feasible.
August 27, 2024— Job opening posted for motor grader operator– see NOTICES
TRR POA BoD is advertising for additional motor grader operators. Please contact Scott, 208-507-8903 for information.
June 27, 2024
Scott moved the motor grader to Orchard View Road and pressure washed the outside. Scott, Charles, and Mark performed preventative maintenance on the grader to include: greased fittings, lubed the turn table and blade slides, checked the fluids and air filter, and cleaned the cab.
The foot throttle / engine shut off pedal was adjusted to be able to turn off the engine properly when needed.
A hydraulic leak was detected from a loose hydraulic line underneath the cab. Tightened the line and will recheck after the next use.
Troubleshooting the cab heater is still underway.
Scott and Charles working on the throttle cable.
May 30, 2024
Mark met Doug early in the morning to drive while he sprayed. At this time all the road easements in TRR POA have been sprayed. Doug will return in 3 to 4 weeks to spot spray any grass in the roads.
Mark met up with Todd Cullins and Richard Eller who were finishing up flushing out the culvert at the Gregory Creek Road entrance. The culvert was completely blocked and took three water truck loads to open.
Rob Groom graded the excavated gravel material at Gregory Creek Road back up the road. He also graded on Hammer Creek Road and Blue Grouse Road where gravel had been delivered last week.
May 28, 2024
Doug was here bright and early again and escorted around all day while spraying. Doug has sprayed all the roads in TRR POA except a couple of roads (Buck Horn, Deer Path, and Meadow View). It started raining and we had to stop for the day. Doug plans on returning as early as Friday to finish the remaining roads.
Thank you to those who offered locations for us to fill up with water as needed (Tom Myers, Bob Gray, Glenn Stults, and Michael Hanson).
Spraying.
Kochia Weed Doug pointed out on TRR POA Roads.
May 27, 2024
JP and Mark woke early to meet Doug at the entrance of Gregory Creek at 5:00 am. They chaperoned Doug around TRR POA while he sprayed weeds to help guide him on the roads and advise of no spray request areas. It was a long day ending late in the evening on Hammer Creek. Doug will be back tomorrow to pickup where we left off.
Doug measuring and mixing chemicals to apply the least amount of chemicals to achieve the desired result for the weeds seen.
JP, Sam, and Doug in the background spraying.
Doug spraying the weeds in the easement.
Doug spraying the weeds in the road.
May 24, 2024
Gravel delivery will commence on Gregory Creek all day today, please drive responsibly. Rob will be grading Gregory Creek Road and incorporating the gravel into the road.
Yesterday gravel was delivered to key areas on Shuck Creek Road and graded in by Rob. Hammer Creek Road was graded while traveling over to Shuck Creek Road. The intersection above Gregory Creek and Shuck Creek was graded to direct water towards the ditches better.
Intersection Above Gregory and Shuck
Coordinating Gregory Creek Gravel delivery finishing Shuck Creek Road for the day. JP, Rob, and Shirley.
Shuck Creek Road
May 22, 2024
Meadow View Lane received gravel from the entrance to just past the Canyon View Road intersection from for Paul Turner’s and Nate Dryer. Rob graded the gravel into the road. Rob worked on Canyon View Road cutting ditches in between gravel loads.
Gravel will be delivered to Shuck Creek tomorrow morning. Rob will take the grader around and down Hammer Creek to start working that way.
Doumecq Grader in the background on the hill and the TRR Grader closer, both out grading roads today.
May 20, 2024
Rob graded Blue Grouse Road, Canyon View Road, and started on Meadow View Lane. Rob may start again Wednesday to try and finish Meadow View Lane weather depending. The motor grader is parked at the intersection of Canyon View Rd and Meadow View Lane. The grader needs a new carbide tooth on the blade (picture below). Will try and acquire locally.
Fuel Acquisition Today:
Ford Truck
6.047 Gallons
$24.79
Ford Truck Slip Tank
91.728 Gallons
$376.00
JP and Mark picked up the Dodge truck from Ryan’s shop. It is running fine and currently stored at the end of Bear Ridge Road. They removed the plow off the front and it is stored at the same location. They cleaned several ditches via shovel and large rocks from the road today while going to and fro.
May 15, 2024 – GRADER WORK IS HALTED
Without an available operator all work is halted. Rob is busy farming this week and won’t be able to work on pulling ditches this Thursday and Friday. He said maybe next week.
May 10, 2024 – GRADER WORK + UPCOMING EXPENDITURES
Be on the lookout for the following expenditures and returns:
-2 days of employee hours for Rob
-Caterpillar service call out for grader
-Ryan grader service call out
-NAPA oil / grease for grader on account
-fuel purchases
-Harbor Freight grease gun
-Costco 2 batteries (ford truck)
-Return parts credit to North 40
Yesterday, Rob graded Shuck Creek, Gregory Creek, Saddle Ridge, and Hammer Creek.
Today, Rob finished grading Hammer Creek, Canyon View, and Meadow View.
Rob might be back Thursday and Friday of next week to begin pulling gravel out of the ditches in the selected areas during the dry spell.
May 6, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
The motor grader is still down.
A service technician from Caterpillar will be out Wednesday to assess and fix several issues on the motor grader. The repairs require specialized tools that are cost prohibitive for TRRPOA or for Ryan to purchase for a one off repair.
Also, to repair items TRRPOA paid for during the service in Lewiston in 08/2023 that still aren’t functioning properly.
Belle and John Deere couldn’t come for another two weeks.
May 1, 2024 – IDAHO COUNTY WEED CONTROL 2024
Idaho Code § 22-2407 Section 22-2407 -LANDOWNER AND CITIZEN DUTIES:
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture ISDA and Idaho County Weed Control are required to remind landowners of the Noxious Weed Law. Idaho statute Title 22, Chapter 24. With a primary focus on Sections 7 & 8 (Landowner and Citizen duties & powers) in which describes:
- It shall be the duty and responsibility of all landowners to control noxious weeds on their land and property. In accordance with this chapter and with rules promulgated by the director.
- The cost of controlling noxious weeds shall be the obligation of the landowner.
- Noxious weed control must be for prevention, eradication, rehabilitation, control or containment efforts. However, areas may be modified from the eradication requirement if the landowner is a participant in a county-approved weed management plan or county-
approved cooperative weed management area. - The landowner shall reimburse the county control authority for work done because of failure to comply with a five (5) day notice, as outlined in section 22-2405, Idaho Code.
- If an article is infested with noxious weds, it shall not be moved from designated premises until it is treated in accordance with the applicable rules, or in accordance with the
written permission of a control authority. Idaho Code § 22-2407
|(22-2407) 1970, ch. 149, sec. 2, p. 48; am. 1974, ch. 18, sec. 62, p. 364; am. 1981, ch. 309, sec. 3, p. 635; am. 1987, ch. 331, sec. 2, p. 691; am. and redesignated 1989, ch. 298, sec. 2, p. 731; am. and redesig. 1993, ch. 247, sec. 10, p. 867; am. 2006, ch. 225, sec. 5, p.675.
For more information, call Idaho County Weed Control Department at 208-983-2667.
April 30, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
Doug in the Service Department at Western States Caterpillar in Lewiston gave us pricing on a service contract for routine maintenance for the motor grader. The cost is $200 an hour for travel from Lewiston and the contract does not provide any discount on labor, parts, or repairs. We concluded it would be too expensive for our motor grader and more feasible to continue using a local mechanic to provide routine maintenance as needed. Ryan should have the grader up and running in the next day or so. He had to order another part to finish the current repair correctly.
April 30, 2024 – WEED SPRAYING
Our weed applicator, Doug, has given us a list of chemicals he intends to use for weed spraying.
If you plan to opt out, please place “NO SPRAY” signs in either direction along your property and also email us to let us know you’re opting out.
Here is the list of chemicals:
1. Metasuluron-Methyl on the portions of road that would not have Puncturevine problems.
2. Where there would be the possibility of the Puncturvine growing, we will use Telar instead of the Metasulfuron-Methyl to keep the puncturvine from coming in. This mix will kill the weeds and keep them from coming back throughout the season. The Telar is a bit more expensive to add in but will be effective on keeping out the puncturevine.
3. Where there is significant blackberry, rose, and plum crowding the road, we will use the Crossbow to burn those plants back off of the edge of the road.
4. Will use a glyphosate treatment as a follow up treatment to burn back the grassy portions after we see the results from the initial treatment.
April 30, 2024 – ROADS, WEED SPRAYING, MOTOR GRADER
I called Western States Caterpillar in Lewiston and updated the mailing address from Jerry Bentz’s home address to the TRR POA PO Box. I spoke with Doug in the Service Department about exploring pricing on a service contract for routine maintenance for the motor grader. The cost is $200 an hour for travel from Lewiston and the contract does not provide any discount on labor, parts, or repairs. We both concluded it would be too expensive for our motor grader and more feasible to continue using a local mechanic to provide routine maintenance as needed. I informed him the hour gauges we spent $2300 for repair last year are not working. Doug stated when they have a mechanic near Grangeville they would call us if we needed them to come out so it’s cheaper.
Ryan should have the grader up and running in the next day or so. He had to order another part to finish the current repair correctly.
Dodge
The Dodge needs to be dropped off at the transmission shop in Grangeville.
Weeds
I spoke with Doug, the herbicide applicator, and he sent an email with the requested information seen below.
Doug stated he needs several locations to get water efficiently. He is aware of JP’s father-in-law well but would like it marked on the maps we will provide.
After much time, research and back-forth with many professionals, I decided I would like to use a mixture of Metasuluron-Methyl on the portions of road that would not have Puncturevine problems. Where there would be the possibility of the Puncturvine growing in, I would like to use Telar instead of the Metasulfuron-Methyl to keep the puncturvine from coming in. This mix will kill the weeds and keep them from coming back throughout the season. The Telar is a bit more expensive to add in but will be effective on keeping out the puncturevine. Where there is significant blackberry, rose, and plum crowding the road, I will use the Crossbow that you currently have to burn those plants back off of the edge of the road.
Here are the cost breakdown of the two treatments for the chemical.
Aminopyralid/Metasulfuron-Methyl + Adjuvants = $38.68/mile
Aminopyralid/Telar = $61.28/mile
I would be planning on performing the glyphosate treatment as a follow up treatment to burn back the grassy portions after we see the results from the initial treatment.
JP estimated that the puncturevine areas would consist of about 25% of the treatment area or about 4.25 miles at $61.28 = $260.44 12.75 miles @ $38.68 = 493.17. $200×17 miles application =$3400 will total $4156.61 without the a few dollars for the Crossbow treatments and the Glyphosate spot treatments that you already have the chemical for.
This again would be for treating 7-8′ each side of the road.
Doug Nelson
WHAT IS NEEDED NOW PLEASE AND FROM WHAT DEPARTMENTS:
WEBSITE
Please post the herbicides from Doug’s email so members can make an informed decision on opting in or out.
TREASURER
When you have time please send a current budget so we can see where we are on spending and what money is left to spend.
Maybe Unaccounted for yet.
-A bill from Paul Turners should be arriving for 8 loads of gravel.
-Repair bill for the Dodge transfer case from Ryan.
-Repair bill for the Motor Grader repair from Ryan.
Future Definite
-Weed Spraying for $4156.61
VICE PRESIDENT
Update from Advance Tech on the roller packer. I spoke with Jerry again and thanked him for being patient with us on getting the roller moved.
PRESIDENT
Another water fill-up location further down so we have three locations. One up top, one at your father-in-laws, and one down below.
We also need to take the Dodge into where you took it last time for warranty repair.
April 22, 2024 – GRAVEL DELIVERY (see photos below)
Paul Turner is delivering gravel to the following roads today; listed as follows:
Pilgrim Ridge Road: 3” base at the end of road turnaround, possibly 6 loads. The 3” base will be left for a year for compaction from normal driving and the motor grader working. The following year possible top dress with 3/4” gravel to smooth out and fill any gaps.
Repeater Road: 3/4” minus at the end of road turnaround, 1 load.
Elk Run Road: 3/4” minus at the end of road turnaround, 1 load.
This should conclude this year’s gravel delivery for the higher TRR POA roads up off Doumecq.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Frayser
April 19, 2024 – AD HOC ROAD COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
The Ad Hoc Road Committee met at the White Bird School and was called to order at 7:00 am.
Attendance:
Board Members: President JP Goding, Road Chair Mark Frayser
Committee Members: John Raynor, Rob Groom, guest Steve Dalgliesh attended for member Scott Dalgliesh who could not make it.
Created Roads Projected List:
Moisture required at these locations to complete the project:
1. Shuck Creek, 6 loads of gravel, bare turns, and steep slopes.
2. Hammer Creek, 4 loads of gravel, bare turns, and steep slopes.
3. Buck Horn, 4 loads of gravel, 60-80 yard long bare spot.
4. Pilgrim Ridge, 4 loads of gravel, bare end of road turnaround.
5. Meadow View, 3 loads of gravel, bare turns, and steep slopes.
6. Canyon View, 3 loads of gravel, bare turns, and steep slopes.
7. Deer Path, 1 load of gravel, turns.
Dry conditions required at these locations to complete the project:
1. Almost every road has gravel and large rocks in the ditches that need processing and removing.
2. Almost every road has clogged, partially obstructed, or bent culverts.
3. Almost every road has some form of overgrown weeds or brush.
4. A culvert is needed at the Gregory Creek entrance of TRR off Doumecq, water mitigation is to stop the gravel from washing out onto the asphalt road.
5. A culvert is needed at Saddle Ridge and Gregory Creek Intersection, water mitigation is to stop the gravel from washing out down the road.
6. A culvert extension is needed at Hammer Creek (near Ansell’s) to prevent bank erosion.
7. Heavy rock and fill need to be placed at the Gregory Creek bank shoulder sluff near the entrance. Sluff is on the streamside. Prevent the shoulder from eroding and the stream from undercutting the road.
Availabilities:
1. Paul Turner will deliver the gravel on Monday for Pilgrim Ridge and tailgate spread since located on a flat.
2. Awaiting Motor Grader repair to finalize plan of repairs.
3. Nate Dryer is available to deliver gravel with multiple trucks when needed.
4. Rob Groom is possibly available to operate the motor grader as early as Tuesday.
5. Steve Dalgleish will follow up on the possibility of a skid steer and operator to help clear large rocks from ditches.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Frayser
April 17, 2024 – EQUIPMENT UPDATE
JP and I picked up the Dodge Truck from Ryan’s shop and the Ford Truck with the rock rake near the entrance. Both trucks were fueled to capacity.
The Dodge Truck has hardly any power, an exhaust leak, and the transmission overheat temperature gauge activated while going up Hammer Creek. It couldn’t go any faster than 12 mph and losing speed with the gas pedal to the floor trying to climb the road. The 4×4 transfer case seemed to function just fine. I suspect we will need to take it back in for transmission warranty repair in Grangeville. It will have a tough time with the White Bird Grade. The dump bed is not functioning as well. The Dodge is currently at Roy’s house. I have a feeling it might end up being a money pit, we should consider what we want to do with it long term. Sell or keep?
JP and I fixed the window again on the Ford Truck. It is currently at JP’s house along with the snow plow and rock rake.
On the brighter side while we were letting the transmission cool down on Pine Ridge Road, we filled in several pot holes scooping gravel out of the ditch with the new shovel. We also cleared a culvert on Gregory Creek.
Respectfully,
Mark Frayser
April 16, 2024 – WEED SPRAYING
Weed spraying will take place sometime in the next 3 weeks in the TRRPOA road easement. If opting out of weed spaying, please email us to let us know. Please also place large conspicuous “NO SPRAY” signs visible from either direction along the roadway. By opting out, you will assume responsibility for your own weed management per Idaho Law.
April 15, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
The hydraulic motor and gears are good but the seals and fluid are bad. Ryan is taking the part to Caterpillar in Lewiston tomorrow to be rebuilt.
Turnaround time should be Thursday or Friday for the part. Ryan stated the motor grader should be back in service this weekend or possibly Friday if all goes well.
Looking at around a couple thousands of dollars.
April 12, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
While Rob was using the motor grader it broke down late yesterday evening. JP, Ryan, and Mark responded to troubleshoot. Ryan stated the turn table gear skipped a tooth and the turn table motor probably went bad cauding the moldboard to be unable to operate and turn. Ryan is continuing to troubleshoot today so we can get the parts ordered as soon as possible. Motor Grader out of service until repairs are completed.
Rob is currently utilizing the rock rake on the graded roads today. The rock rake has some broken tines that need replacing. We are trying to source replacement parts.
The window in the truck came off the track again and will need fixing again.
April 10, 2024 – LETTER FROM ROY JOHNSTON, VP and Co-Road-Chair
Below are a few points of information on the TRR roads and a perspective on costs with our current budget. Our budget for gravel for 2024 is $28,000, an increase from $20,000 in the 2023 budget, with $5000 budgeted for wages for the grader operator.
TRR has 17 miles of serviceable roads (serviced by snowplow, grader, and spraying). Most roads are 16’-22’ wide or wider, not including pull-outs. There are 2.2 miles of roads that are not serviced (unimproved extensions and fire roads). The following is a calculation of the cost to gravel the 17 miles of serviceable roads.
• 1 cubic yard of gravel = 16’x11’x2” in road coverage
• 1 Miles = 5280’ divided by 11’ = 480 cubic yards or 48 ten yard dump trucks to cover 1 mile
• At $425 a dump truck load x 48 trucks is $20,400 per mile, or $346,800 to cover the entire subdivision.
As you can see, our budget and gravel problem isn’t an easy solution. If we stay on the current path, we will grade all the top gravel off down to the clay, rocky base layer. Since we can’t afford to re-gravel all of TRR, we need to pull the gravel from the ditches, gravel which has been graded off over the years. This hasn’t been done in a long time and will take us a while. The TRR board has set up a Road Committee comprised of experienced people to help guide where and how we should approach our roads. Our grader operator has 30 years experience and stated his grading career was on a grader just like ours.
WARNING: When the Grader is operating, YOU MUST GIVE THE EQUIPMENT THE RIGHT OF WAY! The operator has said there have already been several close calls with vehicles and side by sides who cut it too close. Please be patient and be safe!
You will notice some changes to the roads. We know there are some sections of roads that need gravel now, and we have plans for that. We will continue to maintain the roads, removing washboards and potholes, as necessary. Primary roads will be graded 3-4 times a year and secondary roads 1-2 times a year, as necessary. In order to pull the gravel from the ditches and separate the road gravel from rocks, sticks, and organics, we have to wait until the material is dry so that the operator can process and recover the gravel. This is how it is done in all our county road districts for dirt roads. Since we have to pull the gravel during dry periods, YOU WILL NOTICE loose gravel placed on top of the road until we can get a wet period to process in the recovered gravel from the ditch back into the road surface.
Additionally, packing the road after grading will drastically help prevent wash boards from reappearing days after grading. The Board last fall purchased a road packer that will attach to the rear of the grader; it will be operational this spring. The real solution for reducing wash boards is taking corners wide, using 4×4, and slowing down.
The board is working hard to improve the condition of the roads, but we have a VERY limited budget and must deal with challenges all the time. Remember, we live here, too.
Thank you, Roy Johnson
April 10, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
Rob worked again on the roads with the motor grader. The motor grader starter had problems disengaging causing the engine to stall this morning. Ryan was called out to assess the emergency and the unit is up and running. Ryan is looking up a solenoid and possibly ordering parts. He responded at short notice for $200 rather than John Deere Belle equipment for starting at possibly $500 plus.
Mark bought a sprayer switch from Napa. Doug the licensed applicator should be here late afternoon tomorrow to look over things on getting spraying started. It’s already in the truck in the glove box.
The slow moving emblem sign for the motor grader was too expensive at NAPA. We should order from Amazon to save money.
April 9, 2024 – MOTOR GRADER
Rob Groom is still operating the motor grader along Gregory Creek Road. He will continue work tomorrow finishing and raking and then possibly start on Bucks Boulevard.
Rob expressed concerns to JP and Mark about drivers not keeping their distance and giving him the right away as needed. One instance he had to back up for an atv blocking the road that would not allow him to pass in the grader. Traffic driving too fast and coming around the corners meeting head on with the grader.
JP and Mark fixed the window on the truck, fueled the truck and slip tank, positioned equipment for Rob to utilize tomorrow and kicked rocks out of the road where we could.
September 11, 2023 – NOTICE OF NEXT BOARD MEETING
Friday, October 27 from 10am-noon at Pleasant View Baptist Church in White Bird
April 10, 2023 – OUT-OF-CONTROL BURNING
FROM THE BOARD
On Monday, April 10, TRR suffered a tragic loss of life due to out-of-control burning. TRR also suffered a worrisome day as it watched multiple neighbor’s “controlled burns” spread quickly onto neighbouring properties threatening homes, structures and animals. These “controlled burns” became “out-of-control burns” very quickly. The Fire Department, Forest Service and Volunteers were called out to the fires. They spent all day on TRR trying to extinguish those fires. The Board would like to remind people to burn responsibly. Show consideration for the safety of your neighbors, their property and their animals. Let your neighbors know when you will be burning so that they can more quickly respond if help is needed. Call the fire department ahead of your burn. They may know something that you don’t about burn conditions. Follow the Firewise guidelines (below) to help keep your fire under control and on your property. Monday’s “out-of-control burns” threatened homes, damaged utility poles, and tragically took the life of our neighbor. Monday’s events should prompt everyone to be much more cautious before burning and think twice before starting your burn to make sure that you know everything you should know in order to proceed. THE WINDS ON MONDAY WERE PREDICTED, EVEN THOUGH THE DAY STARTED OUT CALMLY. Folks who were burning did not have additional people, water and equipment available to stop the spread if their fires got out of control. And, they did get out of control. Firebreaks were either nonexistent or insufficient for the winds. An excerpt from the Idaho County Mitigation plan (below) written years ago talks about the vulnerability of Twin River Ranch. The situation has only gotten more dangerous as more homes have been built. We will have a fire expert to speak at our next Annual Meeting.
FROM THE FIREWISE WEBSITE
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
Avoid burning on windy, hot, and dry days. Wait to burn if: winds are over 8-mph, temperature is above 80 degrees, and thunderstorm activity is predicted. Don’t burn if winds are greater than 12-mph.
Be prepared. Have enough people, water, and equipment/hand tools available to control the fire.
Dress appropriately. Wear long sleeves and pants, a hat, leather gloves and boots. Use a bandanna over your month to protect your lungs.
Make a firebreak before you start.
When burning fields, ditch banks or fence lines, it is always safest to ignite against the wind.
Knowing how a wildfire may behave is key to control and management. Many factors affect how a wildfire burns, how fast it moves and how difficult it is to control. The three sides of the fire behavior triangle are weather, topography and fuels.
Weather includes wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, and air pressure. High temperatures and low humidity cause vegetation to dry and wildfires to burn rapidly. Wind not only moves wildfires across landscapes, but also supplies oxygen that can cause fires to grow swiftly. Wind also blows embers for miles, igniting new spot fires. Rain and high humidity can slow or extinguish fires, while storms can cause fire activity to increase or become completely unpredictable. Topography is the physical features of an area, including slope and aspect (the direction it faces). Wildfires burn more rapidly when moving up a slope by preheating unburned fuels and making them more combustible. Wind also moves more rapidly up slopes, increasing the speed at which a fire can spread. Draws can act like chimneys and funnel flames upwards. South and West facing slopes have drier fuels than North and East facing slopes. Fuels are vegetation and structures. Their characteristics have a great effect on wildfire behavior. Large, dense trees burn for hours and generate a lot of heat. Dried grasses, on the other hand, produce a flashy fire that burns quickly and does not generate much heat.
FROM THE IDAHO COUNTY FIRE MITIGATION PLAN
The Twin River Subdivision on the West side of the Salmon River is at particularly high risk. Since the development of the subdivision several years ago, there have been numerous fires in the area, and on many of those occasions, structures were threatened. Fires have come so close that scorch marks were left on homes. Idaho County currently has no planning and zoning laws in place; however, cooperation through local fire response agencies has resulted in a small fire education program for Twin River residents. The combination of light fuels and high fire occurrence on these steep slopes make it imperative that homeowners implement fire mitigation measures to protect their structures, families and neighbors prior to such an event. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area lies only two air miles south of the subdivision. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has jurisdiction over these lands; however, the less than aggressive initial attack that is practiced in natural areas could become a significant threat to homeowners in the Twin River development.
POTENTIAL MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
- Manage vegetation to increase the effectiveness of fire suppression.
- Have proper equipment and tools on hand in the event of a wildland fire.
- Plantings near homes should use fire resistant landscaping and be well-spaced.
- Grass surrounding homes and other buildings should be kept short and watered if possible.
- Remove weak, dying, sick and thin standing trees to create crown openings spaced to approximately 10 feet between crowns (the upper portion of trees).
- Prune trees to a minimum of 12 feet of all branches.
- Prune 1/3 of the live crown of smaller trees.
- Remove ladder fuels that may carry fire into the crowns of larger, overstory trees.
- Dispose of all excess vegetative material by chipping or hand-piling and burning when conditions are favorable.
April 3, 2023 – OPEN BOARD POSITIONS
Two Board positions will be open to fill at the June 2023 meeting. Gordon Ross was appointed to fill Cathy Little’s position when she resigned, and that position will need to be filled as that term ends this June. In addition, Wolfgang Schubert’s term also ends this June and that position will need to be filled. Anyone interested in running can send a one page candidate statement to the Board prior to May 1 to be included in the May newsletter mailing to the membership. Statements received after that date will be printed and distributed at check-in at the June meeting. Candidates must be property owners and in good standing with no unpaid dues, fees, or fines.
The statements can be mailed to PO Box 130, White Bird ID 83554 or sent via email to twinriverranch1@gmail.com
December 19, 2022 – LETTER FROM SYRINGA REGARDING AMBULANCE SERVICE
“JP,
As a follow-up to our earlier conversation, I wanted residents of Twin River Ranch and other areas to realize that with the heavy snowfall last year and again this year, that there will be areas where roads are not built to county standards and snow removal and sanding procedures are not followed. The Syringa Ambulance may not be able to access some residences. The number one thing they teach in EMT training is to make sure the scene is safe for you and your team. Our team is comprised of volunteers with other jobs and families at home and I won’t put them in harms way for response on an unsafe roadway. We will work with locals to find ways to respond, of which one of the best would be to have an older reliable 4 x 4 located in your region with a canopy on the back and chains on all four tires. We could then safely load equipment in the vehicle,respond to scene and safely treat and transport the patient.
The other option would be for us to dispatch Search and Rescue which would easily add 1 to 2 hours onto the response time. Responding to the residents and visitors in our area is always a priority to our team. We however, cannot put our crew in danger and a $200,000 ambulance out of service because of dangerous conditions. Hope you understand our side of the issue and please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Thanks, Bill”
Bill Spencer Syringa, Ambulance Manager Grangeville
November 1 2022 – FIRE MITIGATION
Idaho County provides free fire mitigation planning through a federal grant. This last year the Biden administration nearly cut the program to move the money to internet spending. So, the sooner you do this, the better. You must have a structure on the property. They will look at the residence, surrounding terrain and forest. They will then provide a “prescription” if they feel they can help. Idaho County will cover the costs 100% for a contractor to arrive and do the work if you live on your property 100% of the time and 50% if you live there half-time.
Again there is no charge!!! And they can educate you in helping your property survive a wildland fire.
If this is something you’re interested in, please reach out to them via email spaul@idahocounty.org
June 17, 2022 – ROAD & EQUIPMENT REPORT
Road Chair, Wolfgang Schubert, reported that ninety-eight dump truck loads of grading F gravel were laid down this spring. Eighty loads were delivered and spread over two days. The eighteen loads we had stockpiled last year were spread a few weeks later. The timing was good as both the gravel and the roads were wet. The majority of the gravel went on Big Canyon, Hammer Creek, Bucks Boulevard, and Gregory Creek; the rest went to problem areas throughout the ranch.
The unimproved section of Pine Ridge was cleared of brush and rocks for access by firefighting equipment and property owners. A sign was placed at the beginning of the unimproved section indicating that the property was private and that this was an unimproved road.
Grading was done as needed and weather permitted. Snow plowing was done from November through April as needed. Pilgrim Ridge was plowed this winter until the snow drifts got too deep. It was cleared this spring when enough snow had melted to allow equipment to get in. If we need to keep this road open throughout the winter, some other type of equipment, such as a large snow blower, will need to be purchased.
All roads were sprayed for weeds last August, and the lower roads again in late May of this year. The upper roads will be sprayed later in June.
Maintenance of the grader included replacing the starter, some of the carbide inserts on the blade and repair of the air brake system and air lines. The brakes continue to lock up at times, but we have been able to get them unlocked each time. One of the grader tires was replaced due to sidewall damage. All of the tires will need to be replaced within the next few years. Future repairs will include an engine rebuild, as it has numerous leaks and is burning oil.
Maintenance of the truck included repair of the 4×4 actuator, installation of front brakes and a wheel bearing and new rear tires. The pump on the weed sprayer was also repaired and will most likely need to be replaced soon.