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Eastern Washington residents earn right to protect against wolf attacks
Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune | MAY 9, 2013
OROVILLE FARMER’S MARKET OPENS
Submitted by Amanda Webb Public Information Officer
OLYMPIA - After months of negotiations and legislative public hearings about how to address threats posed by gray wolves in northeast and north central Washington, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission today adopted an emergency rule that allows people to lethally remove a gray wolf without a permit in order to protect their property, pets and livestock. The change to the state’s wolfconservation and -management plan was spurred by a letter sent to the commission earlier this week, which asked for consideration of the proposed rule. The letter was signed by 10 state legislators, including Sen. John Smith and Reps. Shelly Short and Joel Kretz – the Seventh District delegation that has worked for months on wolf-related bills that became the subject of heated debates throughout the course of this legislative session. “I am encouraged by the commission’s commitment to address the critical issues that affect Washington residents as wolves continue to multiply at a rapid pace,” said Smith (R-Colville). “This has truly been a team effort by Representatives Short and Kretz, district county commissioners and the thousands of residents who told their stories and voiced their opinions. Smith’s measure, Senate Bill 5187, laid the foundation for the emergency rule’s adoption today. “This is a good first step to move the conversation forward,
Submitted photo
Sen. John Smith with Shelby, the dog attacked March 10 by a gray wolf in Twisp. Also pictured are 7th District State Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short; Shelby, a dog attacked by wolf in March and her owners, John Stevie and Sharon Willoya; and county commissioners and local representatives from Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry and Okanogan County Commissioners Jim Detro and Ray Campbell, who traveled to Olympia March 20 to testify in support of Senate Bill 5187 in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Smith is the prime sponsor of the bill. They are pictured in front of the legislative building. said Short (R-Addy). “I want folks back home to know that not only did we hear them, we never gave up trying to find a solution so that our constituents can have the peaceof-mind protection they need to protect their families, pets and livelihoods.” The provision is only for federally delisted portions of Washington. Other stipulations include: any wolf kill must be reported to the state Fish and Wildlife Department within 24 hours; the wolf carcass must be surrendered to the department; and the owner must grant or assist the department in gaining access
to the property for the purpose of investigating the incident. “This came down to a matter of preserving the health, safety and welfare of our residents,” said Kretz (R-Wauconda). “I don’t anticipate this change will have a negative effect on the recovery of wolves, but it was absolutely necessary, especially as grazing season begins and because we know that non-lethal methods do not always work.” The Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority, granted by the Legislature, to adopt emergency rules when necessary to preserve public health, safety and general welfare.
NWS updates flood stage for Similkameen River NWS release
NIGHTHAWK - The National Weather Service forecast office in Spokane, in coordination with the Okanogan County Department of Emergency Management, has updated the flood stage for the Similkameen River near Nighthawk. Effective May 3, the new Flood Stage will be raised from 13 feet to 14 feet. Action Stage, Moderate Flood Stage, and Major Flood Stage will all be raised by one foot as well; to 13 feet, 15 feet, and 16 feet, respectively. The flood stage for this location was established relatively recently and is evaluated during high flows. During the 2011 spring runoff the river crested over the previous flood stage of
13.0 feet, reaching 13.02 feet on June 9-10, but no flood damage was observed. During future high water events the flood stage will continue to be evaluated for accuracy. The Spokane forecast office provides all weather services for Okanogan County. The office collects meteorological data; prepares and disseminates weather forecasts, river and flood forecasts and warnings; and issues severe weather watches and warnings to the public. The Northwest River Forecast Center prepares river stage forecasts for more than 350 locations along major rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The centerís area of responsibility includes the Columbia River basin and the coastal basins of Washington and Oregon.
These forecasts are then forwarded to National Weather Service forecast offices throughout its service area for dissemination to the public. The river forecast, river gage location and flood history can be found on the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service website at: h t t p : / / w a t e r. w e a t h e r. gov/ahps2/hydrograph. php?wfo=otx&gage=nitw1 The USGS operates and maintains the Similkameen River near Nighthawk gage. The USGS webpage for this gage is: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_ no=12442500 You may find these public information statements on the National Weather Service Spokane Forecast Office webpage, www.weather.gov/spokane
Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus Presents
The Oroville Farmer’s Market started their selling season in front of the Community Library last Saturday. The market, which was open 9 a.m. to noon, has extended their hours until 1 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 26. The market features fresh local produce, plants and flowers, as well as homemade arts and crafts items. New at this year will be Music at the Market featuring various performers throughout the season. Alene Halliday and Steve Pollard are scheduled to perform at the April 18 market. Anyone who wishes to take part in this volunteer entertainment should call (509) 476-2662. Gary DeVon/staff photos
lake | FROM A1 During the runoff season the level of the lake can rise sharply. Ecology does all it can do to keep lake levels from rising too precipitously during this period, which can run through early July, but many things are out of the agency’s control, explained Al Josephy, with Ecology’s Office of Columbia River. Lake Osoyoos is fed from Okanagan Lake and is governed by operational concerns up the Okanagan system in British Columbia. Making room for snow runoff in the upper watershed puts pressure on smaller Lake Osoyoos. Also, water backs up when the much larger Similkameen River joins the Okanogan River below Oroville during spring snowmelt. This makes it impossible to dump water from Lake Osoyoos at the
dam, Josephy said. “When runoff is high throughout the system, dam gates are wide open,” Josephy said. “Even so, there will still be areas of flooding and inconvenience to property owners along the lake and down to the site of the dam itself.” With adequate snow levels reported in all watersheds in the region, Ecology’s target is to maintain a level of between 911.5 and 912 feet from May 1 to Sept. 15. “The lake often rises beyond 913 feet and has reached as high as 915 feet, though rarely,” Josephy said. “ Lake levels are mandated by the International Joint Commission (IJC), a board made up of representatives from the United States and Canada. This past winter,
new Orders of Control were negotiated to replace 25 year-old orders that expired in February. The new orders provide for a longer period for filling the Lake in the spring. For more information on the operation of Zosel Dam or Lake Osoyoos, contact Al Josephy at Ecology at (360) 407-6456. Additional information on the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control and the new Order of Approval can be found at http://ijc.org/boards/iolbc/. To track the progress of lake levels in “real-time,” as well as find additional information, go to the U.S. Geological Survey web page for Osoyoos Lake. For more information on Zosel dam and to see current announcements, see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/dams/zosel.html.
well. Water levels barely reached flood stage in 2012, at 15.02 feet. Major floods in 1848 and 1972 saw water levels at about 22 feet, as well as about 18.5 feet in 1950
and 1974. Alerts on water levels can be found online and forwarded to one’s email or cell phone by registering online at water.usgs.gov/ wateralert/.
FLOOD | FROM A1 the flood plain. If water levels reach 18 feet, major flooding of surrounding cropland is likely, with the threat of low-lying buildings and basements experiencing flooding as
To honor those who gave all
To o hon r those who gave some A new musical Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture
Monty Python and the holy Grail Stage direction by Judy Johnston Musical direction by Don Pearce Produced by Kim Harriman
MAY 10, 11 12 & 17, 18 19 - 2013 Fri/Sat Performances 7 p.m. Sunday Matinees 3 p.m. at the
OMAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER General Admission $17 Students w/ID $12 • Children under 12 $8 This show is PG-13 Tickets available at: Brewster: Brewster Drug Okanogan: Rawson’s Omak: Havillah Road Printing & The Corner Shelf Tonasket: Roy’s Pharmacy Oroville: Oroville Pharmacy Online at www.brownpapertickets.com For more information visit www.ovocinfo.com or call 509-429-4407 Monty Python’s Spamalot is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performances materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW). 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10018 (866)378-9758 www.theatricalrights.com
U.S. Armed ForceS LegAcy Tonasket, WA is dedicating the completion of the site with a Parade Ceremony, Saturday, May 18 Parade starts at north end of town at 11 a.m. All entries are welcome. Military theme: “Proud to Be An American.” Opening ceremony, 12 noon at the U.S. Armed Forces Legacy Park South end of Tonasket
Presentation of Colors/Opening Invocation National Anthem by Kim Harriman Fly Over and Air Show by Paul Lewis, flying a Nanchang CJ6 Introduction of Guests Guest speakers to be: Captain Alan Walker, 28 years U.S. Coast Guard, hometown Curlew, WA Lt. Commander Allen Willey, U.S. Navy civil engineer, 26 years of active duty. Tonasket High School graduate Closing ceremony Refreshments before and after provided by the Tonasket American Legion Auxiliary Retirement of Colors Visit our Military Library and Service Officer, Shane Burton Parade info: 509-486-2144 General info: 509-486-1482 or 509-486-2724