Lacamas, We Have A Problem

An Urgent Call to Save Our Lake

We need to talk about the recent city open house - a well-intentioned event, supposed to share a plan to manage Lacamas Lake. We were hopeful for a presentation, Q&A, and a chance to learn about the future of our lake. Instead, it felt more like a science fair, with posters replacing plans.

We walked in hopeful, eager for specifics on solutions, details on costing, and most importantly, a timeline for implementation. But we walked out with only explanations of past actions, not future plans.

So, what are they actually doing? This question was echoing in the minds of many of us there. Our beloved lake is crying out for help, with the remnants of last weekend’s toxic bloom still visible and very much on our minds. We need action, we need urgency, and most importantly, we need a plan. Yet all we got were more options to consider.

The broken biofilter at Lacamas Shores seemed to be the elephant in the room. Why did they avoid taking water samples from near its discharge? Why is there no mention of it in their lengthy report?

Think about it this way - if your home was on fire, and you had a bucket of water in your hand, would you wait for the fire department to arrive or start fighting the fire right away?

The lack of urgency is concerning. I overheard someone ask, “Do they want the lake to die?”

That hit me hard. We need a Mission Impossible, all-hands-on-deck, let's-fix-this-now approach.

Unfortunately, our lake is worse off than four years ago, the same solutions are being suggested, and the toxic algae has gained ground. All this while we've spent time and money on consultants and studies instead of taking action. That's what inaction and lack of urgency lead to.

There's a disheartening thought doing the rounds - just let the lake die, remove the dam, drain it, dry it up, pave it over and build some more housing developments. Why not?

Well, the answer is simple. It’s our crown jewel. It's where memories are made, where we spent our childhoods, where we want our kids and grandkids to grow up.

Remember, the lake doesn’t have a voice, but you do.

Let’s make our voices heard. Let’s work together to save Lacamas. Because attention drives action, and remember, nothing changes if nothing changes.

Feel free to share this. And send me a note—I want to know what you think.