Okanogan Highlands

Hi Everyone,

I've been looking for land for the past three years, and finally I got some land, 22.65 acres, in the Okanogan Highlands, near Chesaw, Washington!!! I would love to meet my natural building/permaculture Cascadian neighbors! Is there anybody reading this who lives in Okanogan County or nearby across the border in Canada? I know you're out there somewhere.

I recently saw a video by Paul Wheaton with Ernie and Erica Wisner showing their rocket stove in their living room, in the Okanogan Highlands, in the winter. I look forward to meeting you on line and eventually in person.

My next steps:

1. As soon as possible I'm going to get myself a biodiesel pickup truck. Then rent some place near my land and move there from Portland, Oregon, to my new digs in the Chesaw/Oroville area.

2. My land has been surveyed previously but three of the four corner pins are yet to be found. Anyone know of a good place in the area where I could rent a good metal detector?

3. I'd like to discuss with experienced persons: septic system, composting toilets(I know the county has a short list of approved composting toilets.), and your dealings with the county officials concerning these things. I've talked with many of them many times in my preparing to make my land purchase and on the whole they seemed quite reasonable. It would be good to hear other peoples experiences with them though.

Forward!

Ken

Howdy Ken,
Nice area there. Some friends of ours have a place close to town.

Okanogan county is pretty easy to work with in my experience, more flexible than a lot of counties in WA. I'd recommend just telling them what you'd like to do and they'll provide the hoops needed to jump through and the list of ransoms you'll need to pay. It'll go pretty smooth after that. There will be a few limitations that may or may not be congruent with your plans but generally a workable solution can be found to keep you on the up and up. Plenty of non-compliance in the area too. There's generally enough elbow room that it's tolerated as long as your neighbors aren't the complaining type.

Thanks Mo. I appreciate your comments. I am in the process of moving into an apartment in Tonasket. Where abouts in Okanogan County do you live?

Welcome to WA. I've got property over there but live on the WetSide of the state. I haven't figured out how to get there full time yet. I'm working on it though.