A Message from the New LISE Firewise Coordinator, Loren Conroy

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Hello Fellow Scenic Estates Residents!

For those of you who missed the last board meeting, I would like to introduce myself as your new Firewise program coordinator. The position has been vacant for a little while now and, unfortunately, that means we are in a bit of a time crunch for this year's renewal application. Information about this year's renewal and how you can help out is provided in the section below. Additionally, this year an updated 3 year Action Plan will need to be submitted as a part of the renewal application. If you would like to assist with this process, please refer to the information below regarding joining the Firewise committee.

More information about the Firewise program can be found on their website as well as the LISE community website at: 

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa

https://www.lisecc.com/firewise

As noted on their website, "The national Firewise USA recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level."

Lummi Island Scenic Estates has been a member since 2003 and I look forward to your assistance to help keep us in good standing with the Firewise program and reduce the risks of wildfire in our community!

 Thanks!

 Loren Conroy
Firewise@lisecc.com
509.528.5600

Firewise USA Annual Renewal Application 

 Our renewal application is due Friday, November 21st!

 You can help to meet this deadline by submitting any 2025 LISE Firewise Risk Reduction Investments by Friday, November 14th so they can be included in this year's renewal application.

 Use the link above for the online form to record your activities for the year or email a filled out copy of the Firewise Volunteer Hourly Worksheet to firewise@lisecc.com. 

 Under the Risk Reduction Investment portion of the application we must record an investment of one volunteer hour per residence of risk reduction actions, activities, and expenses from the current calendar year. In addition to the hard work Scenic Estates staff have put in to help maintain and reduce risk in the communal areas, I look forward to hearing from individuals within our community about all of the ways you have contributed to reducing risks throughout our community.

 The Time and Expense Investment Examples can be used to determine ways that you may have helped contribute to our risk reduction investment this year (or get ideas for next year). You may have invested more than you realize! The following are just a few examples from the pdf of activities that count towards risk reduction:

  • Mowing lawns and trimming native grasses and weeds as needed

  • Raking and removal of pine needles, leaves, and ground debris

  • Removal of debris on the roof and in the gutters as needed

Join the Firewise Committee!

We are currently looking for members to join the Firewise Committee. 

 First on the agenda for the committee will be to assist with updating the 3 year Action Plan to submit with the annual renewal due Nov. 21st.

Per the Firewise website, "A multi-year action plan created by the designated board/committee, using the risk assessment document as a tool to determine priorities for the area within the identified boundaries, is required for all applicants. Action Plans are a prioritized list of mitigation investments, risk reduction projects and education activities that participants will strive to complete each year." 

Please email firewise@lisecc.com if you are interested in joining and include your name, email address, and phone number, along with any pertinent information regarding your availability. Given the upcoming deadline for the renewal application, the next committee meeting is anticipated to be scheduled by no later than Friday, Nov. 14th. 

2025 Assessment Explanation

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LISECC Community Notice

Why Your Participation Is Essential

Dear LISECC Member,
We understand that special assessments are never ideal. Unfortunately, this one became necessary—and was approved by a vote of participating members at the September Annual General Meeting (AGM).

What Happened

The LISECC Board was forced to initiate legal action to protect community property from the actions of a member and their tenant. You can find full details at www.lisecc.com/legal.

Although LISECC prevailed in court, the legal expenses totaled $102,671.19—an unbudgeted cost that had to be paid from our Reserves. Under RCW 64.90.540, any funds withdrawn from reserves for unbudgeted expenses must be replenished within 24 months. LISECC’s only means of doing so is through a special assessment.

Protecting Our Future

To prevent similar financial strain, our attorney has proposed a bylaw amendment that would safeguard us against unbudgeted legal costs. Specifically, the proposed amendment states that LISE shall be entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees if it prevails on appeal and in the enforcement of a judgment, as determined by the court.

Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to pass it—not due to opposition, but because not enough members have returned their ballots.

According to Bylaw 4.7.2.1., a majority vote of total eligible members must vote in favor for any bylaw amendment to be adopted. Despite two voting rounds, the amendment failed due to low turnout. In both instances, those who did vote overwhelmingly supported the change.

What You Can Do

Your participation can make a difference. With your help, we can finally put this protection in place.

Please take a moment to review and respond to mailings from LISECC. If you have questions, our Board members and General Manager are always happy to speak with you.

Contact Us:

360-758-2699

business@lisecc.com or board@lisecc.com

Thank you for helping us protect and strengthen our community.

Sincerely,

LISECC Board of Directors

Beach Avenue Landslide Repair and Island Drive Pavement Repair Project

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Nearly four years after the cataclysmic events brought on by the first weather event termed an “Atmospheric River” by the weather gurus, major repairs to Beach Avenue are scheduled to begin.

Granite Construction will be doing the work. Their plan is to store equipment and some materials on the Aiston Preserve property and work from the south to the north of the destroyed roadway.

There will be a full road closure of Beach Avenue starting approximately from the intersection of Beach Avenue and Cedar Avenue to the south near the intersection of Beach Avenue and Aiston Ceeek Road. The full road closure is currently planned to take place from July 21, 2025 to September 8, 2025 as Granite reconstructs the washed-out section of Beach Avenue.

For those of you living south of Aiston Creek Road, this will be a major disruption. An alternate route around most of the work area is Berry way to Aiston Creek Road – over the bridge and down Aiston Creek Road to Beach Avenue. Please take it slowly and give yourself equal room side to side on the bridge. It’s plenty sturdy, but a little narrow. Take extra care.

In conjunction with the road closure, access to the lower entrance of the Aiston Preserve will also be closed until construction is complete. Visitors are welcome to use the “Inati Trail” access for the upper sections of the Aiston Preserve and will be able to hike down to the waterfront from there.

Whatcom Superior Court WRIA 1 Water Adjudication Summons

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Recently, the Washington State Department of Ecology sent a summons to all users of surface or groundwater within the Nooksack Watershed to file a claim verifying their legal right to use water. Upon receipt of this summons, we have heard from many concerned LISECC members seeking clarification on how to respond to the summons.

For the purposes of the adjudication, Lummi Island is identified as being within the Nooksack Watershed. Anyone who has a private well or uses surface water on their properties must enter a claim and document their right to water usage and submit date on how much water they are using. However, if your property is connected to the LISE Water System and that is your only source of water, you do not need to respond to the summons or file a claim.

The responsibility for responding to the summons rests with LISECC, and any necessary actions will be taken on behalf of the entire membership. There is no need for members to take any personal action or submit any responses. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the adjudication, please feel free to contact the board directly using the email address board@lisecc.com.

We appreciate your cooperation and will continue to keep you informed of any developments, as necessary.