News from Snohomish County Council

Two weeks ago I indicated there would be no newsletter because I was completing my decades-long dream of hiking across the Grand Canyon. I thought you'd be interested in a brief report on what happened.

I left the top of the North Rim for the bottom at 6 a.m. on Wednesday the 28^th heading down the North Kaibab Trail. Since I would not be back at the North Rim until Saturday night I carried everything I would need in my pack. I carried about 35 pounds into the canyon.

The weather was perfect-that means it was often cloudy and as a result the temperature was lower than normal (when I reached the bottom it was only 100 instead of the 120 it often reaches in late July).

The walk down the canyon was challenging, with the trail often steep and rocky. It was truly beautiful and very exciting to know I was walking through one of the seven natural wonders of the world and seeing it from a perspective that relatively few people do. For much of the last half of the hike the trail winds through a canyon next to a small stream. Unfortunately, for the last couple of hours I was too tired to truly appreciate what I was seeing.

After 9 ½ hours I reached Phantom Ranch at the bottom. The first things I did was have two glasses of iced tea, a hot shower in the dorm, and find out if I could pay to have a mule take my gear back out (I used to carry 35 pound packs, but I discovered I'm not as young as I used to be). The answer was "yes" so when I hiked out the next day I was only carrying about 13 pounds (mostly camera, water, and food). That made the steep trail to the top much more doable.

The next morning I started out at about 5:30 to hike up the Bright Angel Trail to the top of the South Rim. I travelled along the Colorado River for the first mile or two and then started up the side of the canyon. The hike turned out to be 9 ½ miles and took 7 hours. I was exhausted, sore, and very happy when I reached the top.

It was a wonderful and exciting experience but even harder than I anticipated. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Shorelines Hearing Scheduled for September 1

The Snohomish County Council will be holding a public hearing on the new shorelines regulations on September 1, at 1:30 in the Jackson Hearing Room at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.

"Protecting our shorelines for future generations is vitally important," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "I hope citizens will take part in the hearing and let us know what their priorities are."

The update to the county's shoreline management program is required by state law. The county has been working with the state Department of Ecology (DOE) for several years.

Some of the issues that will be considered include:

· Public access to shorelines

· Buffer requirements

· Provisions for agricultural activities

· Protection of farmlands

For more information about the hearing and the proposed regulations go to http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Council/About/Meeting_Calendar/long_term_calendar.htm

Volunteers Needed

Snohomish County is seeking volunteers for two important county committees-The Snohomish County Council on Aging and the Snohomish County Marine Resources Advisory Committee.

"The willingness of people to step forward and volunteer their time is a key part of what makes this community so great," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "We need people who are willing to work to improve life in Snohomish County."

The Council on Aging is a 30 member advisory board that advises the county on issues impacting both seniors and younger persons with disabilities. Snohomish County manages federal, state and local funds to provide programs for these groups and regularly consults with the Council on Aging.

The terms are for three years, beginning January 1, 2011. The Council meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except December) from 9:30 a.m. to noon. If interested in applying, contact Joyce Frasu at Snohomish County's Long Term Care & Aging Division at (425) 388-7377 or j.frasu@snoco.org. Applications are due Friday, September 17.

The Marine Resources Advisory Committee (MRC) works on issues affecting the marine environment. The MRC has four main areas of focus: education and outreach, Dungeness crab stewardship, marine water quality, and near-shore habitat stewardship. It works closely with the Snohomish County Shore Stewards and Beach Watchers programs.

"You don't have to have a Phd. in marine biology to be a member," noted Gossett. "Average citizens who are concerned about our environment and willing to learn about marine conservation are encouraged to apply."

The MRC meets in Everett the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 pm. Members should expect to spend roughly 15 hours per month on project planning and implementation tasks. If interested in applying, go to www.marine.surfacewater.info or contact Kathleen Herrmann at 425-388-6414 or kathleen.herrmann@snoco.org.

I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below.

Sincerely,

Dave Gossett
Snohomish County Council