NEWS
	Updated July 5, 2008

Over the years, invasive noxious weeds grew to choke our waterways. Brazilian Elodea was the primary culprit. It was sold as an oxygenator plant for aquariums and may have gotten into the system via someone dumping theirs into the system. The weeds became so dense that in some areas it was impossible to navigate, and so numerous that the grass carp could not mitigate the growth.

Beginning in May, 2007 the City of Ocean Shores began a $380,000 application of herbicides designed to clear the waterways. This treatment was chosen because the noxious weed growth had gotten so dense. The herbicides used are known as diquat and fluridone. There has been a dramatic transformation and the canals are now clear of vegetative mats. Duck Lake has cleared more slowly, having been treated by the slower acting fluridone. Several locations have now received a second treatment in 2008 as planned.

The 2007 Paddle Ocean Shores event was a great success!

Our annual membership meeting was held November 10, 2007. Presentations made by members of the board and Ken Lanfear, Public Works Director for the city, were most informative and included such items as possible expansion of public dock facilities, additional waterway access points, ongoing waterway maintenance, a snag identification program, youth fishing tournament, and more. Additional information regarding these items will be posted to this site when appropriate.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF FRESH WATERWAYS CORPORATION OF NOVEMBER 10, 2007 The annual meeting of the membership of the corporation was called to order at 10:05 AM by the president of the Board of Trustees Bob Rhoades at the Ocean Shores Lions Club Building. Board members Lee Schuster, Mike Valdez, Al Gamble, Grant Schafer, Tom Kimsey, Carol Rhodes and Phil Rogers were also present. Michael A. Valdez read the minutes of the last annual membership meeting which were approved as read. Carol Rhodes gave the Treasures Report. We have $3,676.96 in the General Account and $544.10 in the Carp Fund. The treasurers report was approved. Bob Rhodes thanked the city of Ocean Shores and in particular, it’s public works director Ken Lanfear for the tremendous partnership between our corporation and the city in addressing our fresh waterways quality problems. We greatly appreciate the knowledge and leadership that Ken Lanfear brings to the city of Ocean Shores. Bob announced that Mike Valdez, Carol Rhoades and Grant Schafer were standing for re-election for a three (3) year term to the Board of Trustees. Furthermore, Phil Rogers has decided to step down from the Board of Trustees because he is in the process of selling his home after which he will move from our community. Bob thanked Phil for his contributions on the board of trustees and invited him to continue to attend board meetings as an ex-officio member. Ernie Nelson volunteered to run for election to fill Phil Rogers empty seat. Bob Rhodes asked if there were any members from the audience who would also like to run for a position on the board of trustees. There were no other candidates. Therefore there were four (4) candidates to fill, four (4) positions and Mike Valdez, Grant Schafer, Carol Rhodes and Ernie Nelson were elected by acclamation. There being no further business to come before the meeting the meeting was adjourned at 10:45AM so that the meeting could be re-opened to the public. Respectfully Submitted, MICHAEL A. VALDEZ Secretary

Mark Your Calendar

We will hold our annual meeting for paid members at 10AM on August 30, 2008 at the Lions Building, 832 Ocean Shores Blvd NW. $15 memberships, or renewals, will be available at the door. Or, make checks payable to Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways and mail to P.O. Box 1592, Ocean Shores, WA 98569. A meeting open to the general public will follow, and following that meeting we will have a "Celebration of our Clean Waterways" BBQ and potluck. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and condiments will be provided. Feel free to bring your own beverages and potluck salads, deserts, etc., if you choose.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the following freshwater events ---Triathlon and Footfest, July 12-13, 2008 and Paddle the Shores, September 27-28, 2008. For more info see www.oceanshoresact.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - - The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved a youth fishing derby on Duck Lake in August. The date has been tentatively set for August 2nd. At a meeting of interested citizens and the city's Parks and Recreation Director, it was agreed that children 17 and under, residing in the North Beach area, will be eligible to participate. This includes children who are staying with friends or relatives in the area. Cinnamon Petzoldt, P&R Director,(360/289-2754) and Joe Reason, Excellent Fisherman,(289-2357) are co-chairs of the organizing committee.

Volunteers and city employees collect trout from a hatchery and plant them in the waterways. March 2008

Our new project
A hearty "thank you" to a resident who donated a pontoon craft to the group, even if well-used. When rehabilitated and modified, it will serve as work platform from which to remove snags, overhanging branches, etc.

A work in progress.

Looking better!