TOWN OF GRAND LAKE NEWSLETTER June 2012 Mayor: Judy M. Burke Mayor Pro Tem: Jim Peterson Trustees: Jim Gasner, Elmer Lanzi, Kathy Lewis, Tom Ludwig, Tom Weydert Town Manager: David Hook Tel: 970 627-3435 FAX: 970 627-9290 Email: town@townofgrandlake.com Website: www.townofgrandlake.com NOTE: Check the website for Public Hearings and News Updates. Inside this issue: CodeRed Notification 2 Town Clean Up Day Arbor Day Town Docks 3 PAYT Reminder 3 4th of July 3 Cemetery 3 Shoreline Management 4 Consumer Confidence Report From Town Manager s Desk 2 5 5 Fire Ban Grand County and the Town of Grand Lake implemented a Fire Ban on June 12. The Town s fire ban prohibits the use of fireworks and outdoor fires of any type, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, bonfires, fires in pits or barrels, chimeneas and fire pits or other similar burning devices, slash burning, charcoal grill fires on public property, wood grill fires, igniting fused explosives of all kinds and brands, and burning of fence rows, irrigation ditches, fields, wildlands, trash and debris. This fire ban excludes fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas fueled stoves or grills, fireplaces within buildings, self-contained and enclosed charcoal grills (off the ground) at private residences, permanent fire pits or grates located in Elk Creek Campground and Town authorized fireworks displays. Because sparks and hot ashes from any source contribute to the fire danger smoking is strongly discouraged except within enclosed motor vehicles and private homes/buildings. Violations of this fire ban shall be a Class 2 Petty Offense. Anyone starting, maintaining, or permitting an open fire shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with extinguishing the fire and for any damages caused as a result of the fire as well as all fines and penalties allowed by law. Section 7-2-4(b), Fireworks, of the Town of Grand Lake Code prohibits the sale of any type of fireworks including fountains, pinwheels, sparklers, or torches within the town limits. Due to the unusual and very high fire danger conditions, the conditions of this ban shall be in effect until amended or rescinded. The Board of Grand County Commissioners approved a fire ban starting at 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The Commissioners passed a resolution and ordinance that bans open fires and the use and sale of fireworks within unincorporated Grand County. For all details, see http:// co.grand.co.us/gchome/downlads/fire%20ban%20ordinance.pdf Wildfire Awareness Meeting What: Information on the new Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) And How you can Prepare for Wildfire When: June 16, 2012 at 1 p.m., Grand Lake Community House Residents and landowners served by the Grand Lake Fire Protection District will be provided with information on the recent analysis of our area outlined in the new 2012 Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The nationally recognized program, Ready-Set-Go, will be used to describe how a community can become fire adapted or prepared for and resilient to wildland fire. Information on how to stay informed during an emergency will also be shared. The following emergency collaborators have been invited: Colorado State Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Grand County Emergency Management, Grand County Division of Natural Resources, National Park Service, Town of Grand Lake and Grand County Sheriff.
TOWN OF GRAND LAKE NEWSLETTER Page 2 Code Red Emergency Notification System The Grand County Office of Emergency Management has instituted CodeRED Emergency Notification System. This system allows ultra high speed cellular phone or text messaging to inform registered participants during an emergency or disaster affecting Grand County. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Fridays & Saturdays Bingo in the Park June 14 Ride the Rockies on Trail Ridge Rd. June 23 Chili Cook Off June 23 Art & Architecture Home Tour June 24 Tops of the Rockies June 30 ISC Golf Tournament July 4th Fireworks over the Lake The CodeRED system will be used in conjunction with "Reverse 911", which can only contact analog, landline home phones. PLEASE, DO NOT ENTER LANDLINE PHONES IN THIS SYS- TEM (even in "Alternate Phone"; landline phones are covered specifically by "Reverse 911"). Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be used: - Evacuation Notice - Fires - Flooding - Hazardous Materials Spills/Leaks - Drinking Water Contamination To enter your cell phone contact information for Grand County's CodeRED Emergency Notification go to http://gcemergency.com. *** This system will only be used for emergency purposes. *** Thanks to Clean Up Day & Arbor Day Volunteers On May 19, a hardy group of volunteers picked up trash around town in the cold and rain. They were able to get warm at a BBQ following the clean up effort. Thanks to all who helped! Later that day, Mayor Judy Burke, Town Manager David Hook, Public Works Director Bernie McGinn, Town Greenways Committee members and Colorado Forest Service representatives planted a tree at Stover Lakefront Park in celebration of Arbor Day. The Town has been designated a Tree City USA for the 22nd year. Thanks to all those who braved the weather to attend! July 14 Classic Wooden Boat Show July 14-15 Buffalo BBQ
TOWN OF GRAND LAKE NEWSLETTER Page 3 Town Docks The Town day use docks are available on a first come first served basis. You may dock your boat at the day use docks free of charge during the day, but overnight docking is not allowed. Boats found at the docks between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. will have a notice put on them and the owner will get a summons. Please be respectful of others when entering or leaving the dock area, and keep the area clean. We want you to enjoy all Grand Lake has to offer, whether you boat, sail, fish, water ski, or swim. Headwaters Marina on Grand Lake is open for the season! Street Improvement In an effort to improve Town roadways, the Public Works Department has completed chip sealing of Cairns Avenue, Hancock Street and a section of Park Avenue at the east end of Town. Dust control of the Town s dirt roads will be completed by June 15 with the application of Magnesium Chloride. 4th of July Fireworks The Grand Lake 4th of July fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. REMINDER The use of any fireworks are NOT allowed in Grand County or Grand Lake. Public fireworks displays must be specifically permitted. PAYT Reminder Reminder to users of the Town s Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program: Please deposit all PAYT bags inside the dumpsters provided. Doors are on the side of the dumpsters. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE PAYT TRASH BAGS ON THE GROUND OR ON TOP OF THE DUMPSTERS this is illegal and leads to bear problems. Design Review Standards Reminder: Grand Lake has design review standards. Be sure to come to Town Hall for approval prior to repainting or remodeling the exterior of your property. Also, a Grading, Excavation and Fill Permit is required for work done within Town limits. on private property. In addition, anyone working within Town limits, including contractors, must have a Town business license. Make sure the businesses you deal with are licensed. Licenses can be purchased at Town Hall or requested by mailing to: Town of Grand Lake, P. O. Box 99, Grand Lake, CO 80447. Cemetery The Grand Lake Cemetery, now open, is one of the very few active cemeteries located within a National Park. It is located just inside the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary at US Highway 34 and County Road 49. The cemetery is operated and maintained by the Town. Administered under a National Park Service Permit, prior approval is required for burials, any excavation or ground disturbance, planting (NO artificial flowers are permitted), open flames, or any alteration or addition to the natural or historical condition of the area. All other National Park Service Regulations shall also be observed. Violators are subject to federal prosecution. Please contact Ronda Kolinske, Grand Lake Town Clerk, at glclerk@townofgrandlake.com or (970) 627-3435 for information and approvals.
TOWN OF GRAND LAKE NEWSLETTER Page 4 Water Quality Protection through Shoreline Management The coming of the summer marks a time of year when activities in and around the water are a part of our daily lifestyle. While these activities are generally recreational activities, we do have new construction, and structure and vessel maintenance practices in and around the shoreline which can pose a significant negative impact to our water quality and the overall health of Grand Lake and the Three Lakes water system. Knowing how to reduce the impacts of these construction and maintenance activities can significantly help reduce pollutants entering the lake as well as help improve the water quality of the Grand Lake area. The Town of Grand Lake s 30 Stream and Lake Setback Buffer encourages a natural buffer along these important water resources, helping to encourage natural filtration of surface water. These buffer areas are designed to reduce impervious surfaces and promote natural, native vegetation along the scenic shores of our waterways and lakes. New construction and earth movement activities, including landscaping, within 30 of the shoreline of Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir (as well as the connecting channel) may require plan review and approval by the Town of Grand Lake. Please contact Grand Lake Town Hall to discuss your proposed activities prior to the commencement of any ground disturbance. Town Staff wants to work with property owners seeking to improve the natural shoreline of their property in order to reduce unintended impacts of construction and maintenance activities. While permits may not be required for certain structure and vessel maintenance activities, Town Staff is well versed in best management practice methods that may help property owners reduce the negative impacts of maintenance work through the utilization of these methods. It can be as easy as ensuring that upland staging areas are not located on, near, or above open water. Staging areas are designed to capture particulate matter, solvent and paint drippings, as well as other debris and may help prevent these undesirable materials f r o m r e adi l y p ol l ut i n g our lakes. Please feel free to contact or stop by Town Hall at any time to discuss your project and to get any feedback on the simple steps that you or your contractor can take to ensure that your actions don t contribute to the pollution of our watershed.
TOWN OF GRAND LAKE NEWSLETTER Page 5 Town of Grand Lake 2012 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report (CCR for Calendar Year 2011 The Town of Grand Lake 2012 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for Calendar Year 2011 is now available. You may view the report on the Town s website, or request a copy from Town Hall during business hours. The Town has no violations to report, and continues its history of providing clean, safe drinking water. If you have any questions regarding the CCR for 2011, please feel free to contact Water Superintendent Dave Johnson at 970/531-3309. From the Town Manager s Desk Greetings, Well, the big news is the fire ban. I am sure we all knew it was coming just a matter of when. See the article above for the details of Grand Lake s fire ban and a link to the details on the fire ban for unincorporated Grand County. The restrictions that are always in effect for RMNP are also very similar; therefore no additional new restrictions are being implemented by the NPS at this time. It is my understanding that the USFS will be implementing a similar fire ban on or about June 15 for all National Forest lands in the area. Watch for their notification. Does a fire ban mean that we can t have any fun? Certainly not! There remains lots of exciting things to do in and around Grand Lake. RMNP and National Forest are still open and awaiting our arrival. The lakes, golf courses and Town parks are ready for fun seekers. The shops and restaurants in Grand Lake are open and ready for business. See the Calendar of Events for some of the upcoming special events available to you. So do not let the fire ban get in the way of getting all-in on summer fun and enjoyment! And while you are out there having all that fun, please do what you can to help protect our community: Please understand and follow the restrictions Feel free to be even more conservative with your personal practices Please do not hesitate to report violations and dangerous activity to law enforcement (dial 911) Become informed about wildfire preparedness by attending the community meeting on June 16 As the town get busy with visitors, please do all you can to help make their experience be the best. Help with directions. Park a little further away, leaving the choice parking for others. Be courteous. Pick up trash when you see it. You get the picture. Let s do what we can so that every visitor wants to return again and again and again. See you around Grand Lake soon! Best Regards, David