District reports muddy mountain roads, water-tank repair and ongoing fire-mitigation work
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Summary
Staff reported muddy mountain roads and hauling crushed rock, equipment repairs to a dump truck and backhoe, variable spring flows and that a recently installed water tank passed leak testing and obtained operating permits; commissioners discussed fire mitigation and forest-service activity.
District operations staff told commissioners the mountain roads have become muddy after recent warm weather and the district has been hauling crushed rock from a local pit owned by Brian Pender to improve access. Staff said hauling from Pender’s pit is cheaper than alternatives if the district provides haul trucks.
Staff reported equipment repairs including a new tire and repair of a hydraulic leak on the dump truck after a long period of inactivity, and some service work on a leased backhoe that might be covered under warranty. A staff member described pump rates from a spring as fluctuating between about 25 and 65 gallons per minute depending on conditions; with adequate water the spring can reach 30–40 gpm, staff said.
On the district’s recently installed water storage tank, staff said the concrete did not cure properly when poured late in the season and the tank initially failed a leak-down test. After a summer of curing the tank passed the leak-down test and staff said they have obtained operating permits. The staff member summarized those remarks to the commission as: the tank is online and operating permits have been secured.
Commissioners and staff also discussed fuel use during winter plowing, and noted the district burned more diesel than in an average year. Staff reported routine small fixes to the valve/air systems and that no large outages occurred. Separately, commissioners discussed local fire-mitigation work: timber thinning and clearing at private and state lands, cooperation with landowners (named in discussion as George) and continuing concern about potential ignition sources from adjacent basins.
The resort in the district was noted to be closing for the season next week; staff commented that seasonal closures and weather patterns affect both road and water demands. No new formal directions or policy changes were made; the discussion primarily updated commissioners about ongoing operations and maintenance tasks.