Our
roads took a pretty good beating with the numerous freeze/thaw cycles
we’ve
had this winter. As soon as it dries out a bit, we plan on
filling the pot holes. Also
planned for this spring is a widening of
the pavement and improvement of the ditches
where the edge of the road
has been deteriorating along Maple and Alder lane.
Later this spring we
plan on our annual brush cutting along with larger tree removal
and pruning along our island roads. Thanks
to the efforts of Island residents Scott
Wood, Jeff Davis and Sean Taylor, we have a
plan to deal with the larger trees and
branches that are now interfering
with taller vehicles traveling on the island and the
growing safety
issue with visibility. Download Raft Island Right-of-Way Vegetation and
Tree Management Plan to review the approved policy.
A sign will be posted on the bridge just prior to the contractors commencing
the work.
If you would like to assist with this project, please let us
know as the more volunteers
that are available, the more we can
accomplish. Also, there may be some free
firewood!
Please call Roads Chairman Rich Swenson at (253) 405-0639 if you have any
comments or questions on roads.
Excerpt from the Tree Management Plan below:
"With the advent of underground utilities executed on the Island some 10
years ago,
cessation of power line right of way clearing and maintenance created
a general lack
of maintenance for our roadway’s vegetation and tree growth.
Since that time, the right
of way for many of our road ways paths and
right-of-ways has been encroached to the
point where the usable roadway allows
only single car access or prevents the use of
some of our designated pathways."