EDITOR BILL WEBB

This edition of the newsletter is so comprehensive that there’s not much left for me to say! I would like to address one area through – our need for volunteers. Each summer, BVRI conducts a walk-around inspection of the subdivision, looking for violations of the CC&R’s, as well as, issues related to Fire Prevention or Safety. We plan on trying a new system this year, hopefully in cooperation with the Sheriff’s department, but we will still have a need for volunteers.

As a volunteer, you’ll be fully trained and all materials will be provided. We would expect that only one afternoon per volunteer would be needed. What better way to enjoy an early summer day, than walk around Bear Valley and help your neighbors!!

So, please, if you’re available, please contact us through our website or any Board member.

Thanks and regards!

Brian Neth, President, BVRI

SPECIAL ISSUE NEWSLETTER This newsletter is being mailed to all Bear Valley property owners to insure everyone has the opportunity to become a member of BVRI, as well as the opportunity to vote for the five board seats up for election. Both the BVRI Dues Notice and BVRI Board Ballot are included in this newsletter mailing. A return envelope is also included to expedite your dues and ballot mailing – please note that in order to vote, you must be a member of BVRI so don’t forget your dues check. Please mail them by March 4^th!

ANNUAL BVRI/COMMUNITY PICNIC DATE SET BVRI Board Member Gloria English reminds everyone to mark Sunday July 2^nd on your family calendar for the Annual BVRI Community Picnic to be held at the Big Beach. The event will start @ 3:00PM and is open to all local Bear Valley residents and families as well as BVRI members! There will be kids/family games and music starting at 3:00PM, with a great catered dinner served at 5:00PM. We will also hold our traditional raffle to raise funds for a local Bear Valley organization – plan on bringing the whole gang for a great time!

FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Board member Dave Morley provides the following up-date on this important BVRI priority project. "Now is the time to start thinking about thinning the trees on your lot next summer. By thinning the forest, we hope to stop the progress of the beetles as they attack and kill trees. We are also reducing the threat of a major fire in Bear Valley. Speaking as one who has had it done, I believe the trees on our lot will now be much healthier and our fire risk is reduced. Last summer, 36 lots were thinned and BVRI is hoping that many, many more get thinned this coming summer.

The steps to getting it done for your lot are: contact Don Stikkers at (209) 736-477 and ask him to walk with you on your property and mark the trees to stay. Don charges $200 for this service. Don will then contact Seans Tree Service who will then contact you and give you a bid for thinning the trees. From my experience, Sean does a fine job. He is very, very careful. He will have to move some equipment around on your lot so there will be some raking necessary after he completes his job.

Your reward in this process will be to choose the trees that will be taken out rather than letting mother nature choose a tree that you don’t want removed. Your additional reward will be a much more fire safe home."

2005 ARC ACTIVITY REPORT Chairman Ron Murphy reports: "Over the summer months the Architectural Review Committee approved for construction one new home located on Bear Paw Ridge and another on Snowshoe Road. These homes will start construction next summer. Just before year-end, plans were received for a new home on Snowshoe Road. Two requests for deck additions and one remodel request were approved. Remaining under review from 2005 is one homeowner request for a novel propane tank cover structure and re-paint.

A home approved for construction several years ago on Monte Wolf Road ( that was uncompleted) remains in review, pending structural approval by the Alpine County Building Department.

A home that added a deck without ARC approval submitted plans for approval. The plans were approved after the homeowner paid the required fees and fines. Reminder: It is the responsibility of the property owner to request and obtain ARC approval prior to construction or any other exterior changes to a home. This includes re-paint or re-stain, re-roof, re-model, propane tank covering structures. Prior review and approval will avoid possible fines and fee increases, as well as having to dismantle unapproved construction.

At its September 18, 2005 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a change in the Bear Valley Design Standards applying to exterior siding. Section IV, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS, Paragraph 7, Exterior Materials, was amended to read "Synthetic siding is permitted on a case by case basis, only if it is textured and stained/painted to look like real wood. Stucco or its synthetic equivalent is not permitted."

Of the homes approved for construction in 2004-2005, two were finished, two are nearly finished, two are still under construction and two have not started or have only foundations in place.

The ARC members encourage you to contact them and let them assist you through the review and approval process. ARC members are Ron Murphy ( Chairman), Terry Woodrow, Gary Willard and Chuck Taylor. They can be contacted through the BVRI website (www.bvri.org)."

WEBSITES BVRI Board Secretary Katherine Aitken-Young provides the following: "Have you been to our Website lately? (www.bvri.org) When you log on you’ll notice we’ve added a link to the newly launched Bear Valley Wiki at http://www.ourbv.com. In case you’re not familiar with this sort of Website, it’s a place to collect and share knowledge (in this case about Bear Valley) for the benefit of others in the community. You can add to the site yourself or learn from what’s already there. This site is proving to be an excellent resource with links to many of the mountain Web cams, weather stations, and other helpful sources of information. Check it out!

BEAR VALLEY WATER DISTRICT’S TIPS FOR WATER CONSERVATION For Bear Valley Water District’s Residents:

In an effort to better serve you and meet State requirements, Bear Valley Water District is implementing several measures to reduce wastewater flow into the Bear Valley Water District (BVWD) wastewater treatment and disposal facility. The Water District has conducted studies to determine the most cost effective means of reducing flows into the treatment plant and thereby minimize our operation costs and your service rates. Your involvement will directly aid in keeping current rates and future rate increases at a minimum.

following:

a. Rooftop rain downspouts connected to the sewer system

b. Other connections to the sewer system where snowmelt could enter the sewer (Please call BVWD if there are any questions)

4. Consider the replacement of out-dated water fixtures with new high-quality, low-flow devices (low flow shower heads, ultra low flow toilets, new toilet flappers, and low flow faucet aerators).

5. If you are replacing a washing machine, purchase a low flow high-efficiency washing machine.

6. Conduct routine (i.e., annual or bi-annual) household plumbing inspections and repair as necessary. Consider the following:

a. Ensure the exterior sewer lateral cleanout cap is properly in place,

especially during rain and snow conditions

b. Maintain the area directly above your sewer service lateral free of

Saplings and trees

c. Repair all leaking faucets and toilets

If you have any questions regarding this voluntary program to keep service rates low, please contact BVWD’s Conservation Coordinator at the telephone number shown on your bill.

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