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Big Lake residents urge county action, point to Overlook golf‑course ponds as phosphorus source
Summary
A Big Lake resident told commissioners Oct. 6 that stormwater and pond discharges from the Overlook golf‑course development are contributing phosphorus loads that drive summer algae blooms and urged county stormwater staff to enforce permit requirements after recent clearing and grading.
At the Oct. 6 public comment period, Big Lake resident Jan Edelstein asked commissioners to direct county stormwater staff to enforce grading and stormwater permit conditions at the Overlook Crest development, saying pond discharges have contributed to phosphorus that drives algae blooms in Big Lake.
"Phosphorus, we're told it drives the algae blooms at Big Lake," Edelstein said, and provided photographic evidence she said showed sediment‑ and phosphorus‑laden water moving from the golf‑course ponds toward the lake. She said the ponds have "long been plagued with aquatic weeds or algae, all signs of excess phosphorus," and observed that limited grading allowed in 2024 had not been adequately stabilized for the rainy season. Edelstein said Ecology inspected earlier corrections but that recent, expanded clearing under a revised plan had left acres exposed and at risk of sending more phosphorus and sediment into the lake.
Edelstein asked directly: "Why wouldn't you have your stormwater team have the developer comply with the permit conditions? They are all designed to protect Big Lake from more phosphorus."
County staff did not provide a response during the public comment block; Edelstein asked the board to ensure permit conditions are enforced and to prevent additional phosphorus entering the lake.
Why it matters: Big Lake has had recurring summer algal blooms, which residents and the county attribute to elevated phosphorus. Sediment and nutrient inputs from development and stormwater are common contributors to eutrophication.
Next steps: The resident asked the county's stormwater team and Ecology to ensure permit compliance and correct exposed soil and drainage pathways; commissioners did not announce specific enforcement action during the meeting.
