Hey all, here it is!
Its time to get your ideas out of cyberspace and onto paper! You can do this as a local gathering or immediate family. You can do this alone, if you want or are unable to get together, too.
Preparation:
- Plan your groups - if there's more than 10 people joining in the charette, divide into more than one group. Groups can be organized into older and younger to help everyone get their ideas heard.
- Designate a lead of each group who doesn't mind keeping notes and sketching.
- Print out the drawing as big as you can - BUT KEEP IN MIND, that it still needs to be a size that you can scan back into a computer. This drawing is set up for letter size, but I printed it out at 24"x36" with no problem. I'm planning on photographing it with a high resolution camera to get it into a file.
- Each group needs their own drawing and trace paper or at least (2) copies of the drawing
- Get your markers, pencils, crayons, whatever you want to use.
Charetting:
- The group leader guides the discussion, writing and drawing the ideas onto the trace paper or one of the copies of the master plan drawing.
- Talk about what you want at the Falls, what you think is needed there and what you want to do there. This can include mundane things like roads, wells and utilities, too. Go ahead and jot the ideas down. Sketch what and where you think things go. Sketch your ideas of what a lodge or camping site or whatever should look like up in the margins, too if you want.
- THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: money doesn't matter at this point. This is a pie-in-the-sky discussion. Phasing and funding will be discussed later. If you think we should have lodge built out of solid granite, encrusted with gold and jewels then we'll discuss if that works or how get the money for it later.
- Once your group comes to a consensus of what its master plan should be, use the remaining master plan drawing to draw up a finalized version. This isn't a masterpiece, we just want a completed copy of your ideas without a whole bunch of cross-outs and scribbled out ideas. Go ahead and write down on the drawing the things that you think a picture won't convey very well. Notate your sketches so we know what we're looking at.
- Keep in mind that you probably shouldn't write too small. These drawings will be put looked at online.
- Rate the importance of your ideas. In other words, put a "1" next to the things that you think need to be done right away, "2" next to the next urgent items, and so forth.
- Put your group's name on the drawing somewhere so we know who to praise or blame ;).
Critique:
- Optional: iff there's more than one group at your gathering then maybe you can critique each others before showing it to the whole family.
- We haven't worked out the details of the family-wide critique yet, but here's a start.
- Get your final drawing into a digital format. You can scan it in, or if you have confidence in your skills, photograph it at a high resolution. Since we don't know which file format we want to use yet, for now save it in a lossless format (NOT JPG, it loses quaility everytime you save). We'll let you know the best file formats for uploading when we're at that point.
- Hopefully we'll have a website up soon to upload your plans to.
- Once we get the website up, I think we'll have a deadline for getting your master plans posted by. Once we're at that point, I'll give more directions about critiquing work.
Every Step:
- HAVE FUN!!!
Let me know if you have questions. I'll be at Granddad's this weekend, otherwise you can reach me at ad.macmail@yahoo.com or 360-386-9317.
Aaron
Friday, April 3, 2009
beginning summary
It is exciting that it is finally time to work on the family preserve. It is exciting to hear the ideas you have, the understanding of what needs to be done, and the expertise we have within our family group. The gates have been opened and we are ready and raring to go. therefore, let me recap where we are;
Mike has the legal entity of the family organization in order as a non profit org. He will open a bank as needed.
The CFLLC has given the family (the MacDonald Family Association) the go ahead to work on the family land (MacDonald Family Preserve).
Aaron has been nominated and accepted as the Master Plan Chairman.
1st step is to brainstorm by Charette groups (an intensive, fast, study group)
The Charette's will answer these 2 questions:
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
2ND QUESTION: HOW DO YOU WISH TO USE the land? What do you want to DO at the land?
All of the family is divided by geographical groups are each a Charette group and will to brainstorm ideas for the master plan.
1) California; 2) Idaho; 3) Iowa/Michigan; 4) Utah; 5) Washington East; 6) Washington West;
[OK, you know who you are ;go organize, come up with a plan by Easter time and get ready to report what you think could be a master plan.]
Evan will get a web "forum" set up and running for everyone this week. Jenny will be a fellow consultant with Evan. Jenny and Evan will let us know when we can use it.
A small "forum" is through GoogleGroups. Check em out! groups.google.com This is a free service that (aside from having a message board/forum) lets members build pages with information, upload files (like maps, photos, blueprints, Scottish music and videos of grandad playing the bones ... click here: http://is.gd/pB8K ). Evan (and Lindsay and
Nina) www.evanandlindsay.com
Granddad wrote about some improvements that need to be made to have a working family preserve. Check out his ideas in the attachment.
Aaron's direction's
A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analyzing the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette):
A) Gather together, pick a facilitator for the group,
B) Facilitator directs the group's discussion and asks people to write and draw the ideas,
C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and
D) Each group presents to the whole family by using the "FAMILY FORUM" where we gather comments and review ideas (the Critique stage).
(Jan's little note here - as an artist, I have an opinion of what makes for a useful critique. A critique must be a 'what works' and 'why' and 'what doesn't work' and 'why' and 'suggestions to make it work.')
Steps 2) and 3) will be done by the architect or planner, Aaron, who after presenting the master plan back to the "family", also completes step 4) for final review.
Lastly, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for General Conference is an excellent opportunity for the Washington East group to have a Charette.
All you other Charette groups, when are YOU meeting?
What do you think?
Janice
keep the ball bouncing
Mike has the legal entity of the family organization in order as a non profit org. He will open a bank as needed.
The CFLLC has given the family (the MacDonald Family Association) the go ahead to work on the family land (MacDonald Family Preserve).
Aaron has been nominated and accepted as the Master Plan Chairman.
1st step is to brainstorm by Charette groups (an intensive, fast, study group)
The Charette's will answer these 2 questions:
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
2ND QUESTION: HOW DO YOU WISH TO USE the land? What do you want to DO at the land?
All of the family is divided by geographical groups are each a Charette group and will to brainstorm ideas for the master plan.
1) California; 2) Idaho; 3) Iowa/Michigan; 4) Utah; 5) Washington East; 6) Washington West;
[OK, you know who you are ;go organize, come up with a plan by Easter time and get ready to report what you think could be a master plan.]
Evan will get a web "forum" set up and running for everyone this week. Jenny will be a fellow consultant with Evan. Jenny and Evan will let us know when we can use it.
A small "forum" is through GoogleGroups. Check em out! groups.google.com This is a free service that (aside from having a message board/forum) lets members build pages with information, upload files (like maps, photos, blueprints, Scottish music and videos of grandad playing the bones ... click here: http://is.gd/pB8K ). Evan (and Lindsay and
Nina) www.evanandlindsay.com
Granddad wrote about some improvements that need to be made to have a working family preserve. Check out his ideas in the attachment.
Aaron's direction's
A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analyzing the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette):
A) Gather together, pick a facilitator for the group,
B) Facilitator directs the group's discussion and asks people to write and draw the ideas,
C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and
D) Each group presents to the whole family by using the "FAMILY FORUM" where we gather comments and review ideas (the Critique stage).
(Jan's little note here - as an artist, I have an opinion of what makes for a useful critique. A critique must be a 'what works' and 'why' and 'what doesn't work' and 'why' and 'suggestions to make it work.')
Steps 2) and 3) will be done by the architect or planner, Aaron, who after presenting the master plan back to the "family", also completes step 4) for final review.
Lastly, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for General Conference is an excellent opportunity for the Washington East group to have a Charette.
All you other Charette groups, when are YOU meeting?
What do you think?
Janice
keep the ball bouncing
Grand Daddy Mac's views
Observations on The Cowlitz Falls and the Family Preserve by Charles MacDonald
I think this is a good time for review, and for some important questions. First, the questions:
Who owns the road? Who decides on use of the road? How is the road to be maintained? Who defines the road right-of-way?
Who owns the wells? Who may use the wells?
Perhaps it’d be well to review what has been done, what projects are in progress, and what the next steps ought to be. First off, after I realized the acre on which I live and, its surroundings, could not become the permanent Family Camp Ground (it’s served pretty well, in the short term, however), I began development of the River Camp Site. This required some land clearing and expense. During that time I envisioned what the Camp Sites might look like, and what I’d hope they would not look like. I envisioned log framed cabins with good roofs and half-walls, one for each of the sites cleared. (There are more good sites available.) These cabins would be made from peeled hemlock logs, availed on the greater 84 acre site, and not marketable for lumber. This would be a low-cost, labor intensive project, perhaps each family selecting their own site to develop. I also talked with Aaron about restrictive covenants, etc. During this time I also cleared the gully leading to the fishing hole, and constructed a trail. You had already constructed a beautiful trail, but it didn’t lead to a fishing hole. The gully was a bigger project than originally conceived, but still went pretty well. We also located an amphitheater, built some seating, and a performing stage will be completed when floor planks are milled.
Development of this site has 4 basic elements: a serviceable road, water and bathrooms, and power. First, the road! I had hoped, and had been assured; that a serviceable roadbed would be constructed when the logging was done when equipment was available for the project. This was not done. I was then told the Family Preserve would have the expense, to which I replied, “But, you’re part of the preserve.” I have wanted to participate in some of these costs, but my offers have been declined. Now, the ROAD still needs doing (there are 3 really bad parts requiring culverts). Now, roadbed construction must also include a water line trench, and (the most expense part) gravel. Once I felt a truck load of alder could be salvaged from the 84 acres to defray road costs, but now the lumber market is too poor for that.
POWER was a pretty easy problem for me, but my solution is questioned by some. I bought a really good power generator, and can take it to the site when required. The cost of taking power lines to the camp site would be out of the question. The generator will work well for a long time.
WATER is still a critical need. Well drilling is a major expense, but we already have two wells on the site that were drilled during construction of the dam. I bought a good submersible pump with power cable, and we used this to test both wells. One is very good, and the other has some potential. All that is needed is to get the water to the Camp is a water line and a trench to put it in. Gary Morgan has offered me 2” cable that will be great for water. All we need do is dig a trench and bury the pipe. I can still provide the means to pioneer the roadbed, dig the trench and bury the water line, but cannot afford to do the culverts or lay the gravel. These are the most critical projects, and I believe they must be our first priority.
I think the next big project is to construct what I call a dining hall. That’s a pretty grand name for what I envision. I see a 30’ x 60’ pole building with a nice metal roof. One end of the building has 3 enclosed rooms: 2 privies (outhouses), and a shower room. The 30’ bulkhead wall opens to what I call the kitchen: hot water heater, generator hook-up, sinks, counter tops, bar-be-cue hook ups, and lockable cupboards. The balance of the building is opened walled, and contains tables and benches, and could even have a dirt floor in the short term. This project should be a low-cost for building materials, but labor intensive.
I had hoped to complete this much while alive, so additional costs may be more manageable for young families. But, things are going too slow. I cannot see an easy solutions. The CFLLC has all the WHEN authority. Family Preserve projects must be compatible with CFLLC time tables, and authority to proceed rests with them. As you know the CFLLC has just given us the go ahead. We all need a clearer vision of the Family Preserve role. I think your accomplishments are profound and very good. Our Family can accomplish great things when we work together.
I think this is a good time for review, and for some important questions. First, the questions:
Who owns the road? Who decides on use of the road? How is the road to be maintained? Who defines the road right-of-way?
Who owns the wells? Who may use the wells?
Perhaps it’d be well to review what has been done, what projects are in progress, and what the next steps ought to be. First off, after I realized the acre on which I live and, its surroundings, could not become the permanent Family Camp Ground (it’s served pretty well, in the short term, however), I began development of the River Camp Site. This required some land clearing and expense. During that time I envisioned what the Camp Sites might look like, and what I’d hope they would not look like. I envisioned log framed cabins with good roofs and half-walls, one for each of the sites cleared. (There are more good sites available.) These cabins would be made from peeled hemlock logs, availed on the greater 84 acre site, and not marketable for lumber. This would be a low-cost, labor intensive project, perhaps each family selecting their own site to develop. I also talked with Aaron about restrictive covenants, etc. During this time I also cleared the gully leading to the fishing hole, and constructed a trail. You had already constructed a beautiful trail, but it didn’t lead to a fishing hole. The gully was a bigger project than originally conceived, but still went pretty well. We also located an amphitheater, built some seating, and a performing stage will be completed when floor planks are milled.
Development of this site has 4 basic elements: a serviceable road, water and bathrooms, and power. First, the road! I had hoped, and had been assured; that a serviceable roadbed would be constructed when the logging was done when equipment was available for the project. This was not done. I was then told the Family Preserve would have the expense, to which I replied, “But, you’re part of the preserve.” I have wanted to participate in some of these costs, but my offers have been declined. Now, the ROAD still needs doing (there are 3 really bad parts requiring culverts). Now, roadbed construction must also include a water line trench, and (the most expense part) gravel. Once I felt a truck load of alder could be salvaged from the 84 acres to defray road costs, but now the lumber market is too poor for that.
POWER was a pretty easy problem for me, but my solution is questioned by some. I bought a really good power generator, and can take it to the site when required. The cost of taking power lines to the camp site would be out of the question. The generator will work well for a long time.
WATER is still a critical need. Well drilling is a major expense, but we already have two wells on the site that were drilled during construction of the dam. I bought a good submersible pump with power cable, and we used this to test both wells. One is very good, and the other has some potential. All that is needed is to get the water to the Camp is a water line and a trench to put it in. Gary Morgan has offered me 2” cable that will be great for water. All we need do is dig a trench and bury the pipe. I can still provide the means to pioneer the roadbed, dig the trench and bury the water line, but cannot afford to do the culverts or lay the gravel. These are the most critical projects, and I believe they must be our first priority.
I think the next big project is to construct what I call a dining hall. That’s a pretty grand name for what I envision. I see a 30’ x 60’ pole building with a nice metal roof. One end of the building has 3 enclosed rooms: 2 privies (outhouses), and a shower room. The 30’ bulkhead wall opens to what I call the kitchen: hot water heater, generator hook-up, sinks, counter tops, bar-be-cue hook ups, and lockable cupboards. The balance of the building is opened walled, and contains tables and benches, and could even have a dirt floor in the short term. This project should be a low-cost for building materials, but labor intensive.
I had hoped to complete this much while alive, so additional costs may be more manageable for young families. But, things are going too slow. I cannot see an easy solutions. The CFLLC has all the WHEN authority. Family Preserve projects must be compatible with CFLLC time tables, and authority to proceed rests with them. As you know the CFLLC has just given us the go ahead. We all need a clearer vision of the Family Preserve role. I think your accomplishments are profound and very good. Our Family can accomplish great things when we work together.
Aaron's how to do a Charette
Hi again,
Thanks for the input, I figured there were others out there that thought the same. I'd be happy to take the lead. Janice's First and Second Questions below are the keys to creating a master plan. For once in the real world, the financial realities take a back seat and are dealt with later. A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analysising the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette): A) Those interested in contributing gather together with the facilitators, B) Everyone splits into 2 - 4 groups each with a facilitator who directs their group's discussion and also writes and draws their ideas, C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and D) Each group presents to the whole gathering for comments and review (the Critique). Steps 2) and 3) are done by the architect or planner, who after presenting the master plan back to the "community", also completes step 4) for final review.
I can give more details on steps 2) to 4) later, but I was tossing and turning last night trying to figure out how to do step 1), the Charette, when the "community" is phyisiclly scattered all about. I have a couple of ideas. My favorite is having localized families have their own Charette (or steps A, B & C above). We can create a website where family members can go to get the tools they need to have their Charette and then post their results so that everyone can comment on them. I can do my analysising and repost to the site for additional comments. The "final" master plan and any future revisions can be on this site. I have the means to set up a site for free and pretty easily (Google Sites); however, I know there those of us who have WAY more skills and resources than I have who could perhaps take the lead on the website. Also, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for Conference is an excellent opportunity for those nearby to have a Charette.
Your thoughts?
Having recently done this at work with a school group, I can tell you that everyone had LOTS OF FUN and they took an even larger feeling of pride and ownership in their school.
Aaron
Thanks for the input, I figured there were others out there that thought the same. I'd be happy to take the lead. Janice's First and Second Questions below are the keys to creating a master plan. For once in the real world, the financial realities take a back seat and are dealt with later. A master plan takes four major steps: 1) Brainstorming, 2) Analysising the brainstorming ideas, 3) Developing a plan from the ideas and 4) Revising the plan. Here's how step 1) happens when there's "community" involvement (this step is also called the Charette): A) Those interested in contributing gather together with the facilitators, B) Everyone splits into 2 - 4 groups each with a facilitator who directs their group's discussion and also writes and draws their ideas, C) Each group sketches up their own master plan based on their ideas and D) Each group presents to the whole gathering for comments and review (the Critique). Steps 2) and 3) are done by the architect or planner, who after presenting the master plan back to the "community", also completes step 4) for final review.
I can give more details on steps 2) to 4) later, but I was tossing and turning last night trying to figure out how to do step 1), the Charette, when the "community" is phyisiclly scattered all about. I have a couple of ideas. My favorite is having localized families have their own Charette (or steps A, B & C above). We can create a website where family members can go to get the tools they need to have their Charette and then post their results so that everyone can comment on them. I can do my analysising and repost to the site for additional comments. The "final" master plan and any future revisions can be on this site. I have the means to set up a site for free and pretty easily (Google Sites); however, I know there those of us who have WAY more skills and resources than I have who could perhaps take the lead on the website. Also, the upcoming gathering at the Falls for Conference is an excellent opportunity for those nearby to have a Charette.
Your thoughts?
Having recently done this at work with a school group, I can tell you that everyone had LOTS OF FUN and they took an even larger feeling of pride and ownership in their school.
Aaron
Aaron's how to work this ideas
Hi all,
This is exciting that things have moved forward. I think that the Family Preserve will be of a great benefit to our family (especially the rising and future generations).
Below it mentions "So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property? ...The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom).... It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point." May I strongly suggest that we come up with a master plan before things start popping up everywhere. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure there are already various master plans in some of our heads. I believe that before we start building cabins, tent sites, etc we need to drawn up and agree upon (as much as possible) a plan. I'm willing to help out as much as needed. In my professional experience I've seen developments that have had no master plan or a poor one, and they have fallen grossly short of their potential.
I hope I haven't come across preachy, I'm just wanting the best for our Preserve. Your thoughts?
Aaron
This is exciting that things have moved forward. I think that the Family Preserve will be of a great benefit to our family (especially the rising and future generations).
Below it mentions "So, what CAN we do with The Family Preserve while we wait for the legal segregation of property? ...The family can improve the road, bring in power, water, build cabins, tent sites etc, etc... The only restriction is that we do not build a place with a permanent plumbing (like a bathroom).... It is now time for the Family organization to rise up and get busy... no need to wait for the LLC at this point." May I strongly suggest that we come up with a master plan before things start popping up everywhere. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure there are already various master plans in some of our heads. I believe that before we start building cabins, tent sites, etc we need to drawn up and agree upon (as much as possible) a plan. I'm willing to help out as much as needed. In my professional experience I've seen developments that have had no master plan or a poor one, and they have fallen grossly short of their potential.
I hope I haven't come across preachy, I'm just wanting the best for our Preserve. Your thoughts?
Aaron
Neal's containing ideas
I know the Family doesn't hear too muchh out of me, but when I give an idea it should be really great and something that most everybody would agree with. Here is my idea for a simple cheep and very "GREEN" idea...from MR. Goldburg. Now I saw this on the HGTV back in the states before I had to start pay a TAX to watch TV...And it to me seemed like it would work great for what we would like to do up at the falls. okay enough of the delay. we could build a non-residential building or Family lodge with a conex or shipping containers!!! the best part of all is that they are actually really cheep too buy! depending on the size and location that you buy them from. The average cost per container is about $1,500-$2,000. You can even order them off e-bay http://shop.ebay.com/items/Shipping-Containers.
I have it all laid out in my head how it would look, but i do not have any program that i could use to draw it up. but it's very simple;
just pour a solid foundation (a 50ft x 30-40ft or depending on the length of the containers) stack 2 in each corner or 2 on both ends( if you went with say a 20ft or 40ft) (also if you stack 2 then you can have a cheep second floor and turn the corners into rooms/lofts) and walah!!!you have the main foundation and 80% of the "family lodge" built. the front and back sides could be sealed to the (water proof) conex with a simple garage style walls that connect the two ends. and even a garage door could be used. Are you guys seeing this from my heads point of view yet?. here is another link that has several other links on it, so you can see what other people all over the world have done with this. http://www.shedandshelter.com/conex/conex.htm
even if nobody else wanted this I still think that it would be a good idea for a garage/shed for all of the CFLLC stuff like tractors and other such things that would want to be kept stored and safe. but the great thing about building this is it wouldn't be hard to updat and refit with plumbing if the time ever came to were you could do so. again they are cheep, thousands of configurations, very eco/green and it just looks really cool. This is just my idea and want to see what the rest of you might think about doing something like this.
love neal.
I have it all laid out in my head how it would look, but i do not have any program that i could use to draw it up. but it's very simple;
just pour a solid foundation (a 50ft x 30-40ft or depending on the length of the containers) stack 2 in each corner or 2 on both ends( if you went with say a 20ft or 40ft) (also if you stack 2 then you can have a cheep second floor and turn the corners into rooms/lofts) and walah!!!you have the main foundation and 80% of the "family lodge" built. the front and back sides could be sealed to the (water proof) conex with a simple garage style walls that connect the two ends. and even a garage door could be used. Are you guys seeing this from my heads point of view yet?. here is another link that has several other links on it, so you can see what other people all over the world have done with this. http://www.shedandshelter.com/conex/conex.htm
even if nobody else wanted this I still think that it would be a good idea for a garage/shed for all of the CFLLC stuff like tractors and other such things that would want to be kept stored and safe. but the great thing about building this is it wouldn't be hard to updat and refit with plumbing if the time ever came to were you could do so. again they are cheep, thousands of configurations, very eco/green and it just looks really cool. This is just my idea and want to see what the rest of you might think about doing something like this.
love neal.
Gordon's question 1
Lets get started...
This email focuses on infrastructure needs, which is the foundation of a good plan.
I suggest someone else start an email thread that talks about the lodge, and some one else start an email that take on another thing that you with were on the Family Preserve.
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
Infrastructure Needs
1. Reliable, all-weather road
fix the drainage problems with puddles in the low spots
clear the brush and berry vines away from the sides of the road
put a cross slope on the road so stormwater drains off the road and take out the big rock so you don't get high centered when you drive the family car down there
provide gravel/crushed rock surface
- at least on the steeper parts at first
- do the rest of the road ultimately
2. Reliable potable water
Option 1 - Hook up the spring and pipe it down to the family preserve
Option 2 - Hook up to the test bore hole #1 that was dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 10 minutes about 2-3 times a day. We would have to pump it to a holding tank.
Option 3 - Hook up to the test bore hole #3 also dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 24 hours a day at 20 gal./min. This was originally planned for Fred and Amy when they build. But plans are still in the formation stage.
Option 4 - Drill a new well on the family preserve
3. Reliable electric power
Option 1 - Is solar an option? I think not because it is in the shadow of Tumwater Mountain most of the day in the winter? This needs more investigation.
Option 2 - bring in power on poles or put in under ground conduits. We could bury conduits at the same time we bring in the water line.
4. Sanitary facilities
Initially - out houses, you know...they way it used to be at the falls
Ultimately - septic system
Another "green" option is a waste incineration system. This leaves no solid waste to dispose of; it all goes up in smoke with a little help from propane. The MacDonalds have no problem with gas.
This email focuses on infrastructure needs, which is the foundation of a good plan.
I suggest someone else start an email thread that talks about the lodge, and some one else start an email that take on another thing that you with were on the Family Preserve.
FIRST QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU WISH COULD BE AT THE FAMILY PRESERVE?
Infrastructure Needs
1. Reliable, all-weather road
fix the drainage problems with puddles in the low spots
clear the brush and berry vines away from the sides of the road
put a cross slope on the road so stormwater drains off the road and take out the big rock so you don't get high centered when you drive the family car down there
provide gravel/crushed rock surface
- at least on the steeper parts at first
- do the rest of the road ultimately
2. Reliable potable water
Option 1 - Hook up the spring and pipe it down to the family preserve
Option 2 - Hook up to the test bore hole #1 that was dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 10 minutes about 2-3 times a day. We would have to pump it to a holding tank.
Option 3 - Hook up to the test bore hole #3 also dug when the dam was built. This will pump clean water for 24 hours a day at 20 gal./min. This was originally planned for Fred and Amy when they build. But plans are still in the formation stage.
Option 4 - Drill a new well on the family preserve
3. Reliable electric power
Option 1 - Is solar an option? I think not because it is in the shadow of Tumwater Mountain most of the day in the winter? This needs more investigation.
Option 2 - bring in power on poles or put in under ground conduits. We could bury conduits at the same time we bring in the water line.
4. Sanitary facilities
Initially - out houses, you know...they way it used to be at the falls
Ultimately - septic system
Another "green" option is a waste incineration system. This leaves no solid waste to dispose of; it all goes up in smoke with a little help from propane. The MacDonalds have no problem with gas.
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