Lake Life April 2014

Presorted Standard | US Postage Paid Newport, WA | Permit No. 18 | ECRWWS

Celebrating Life at Diamond Lake and Sacheen Lake Volume 3, Issue 1

Time to Fish New dock regulations Page 3

Moon Creek heads to federal court Page 5

Produced by The Miner Newspapers

April 2014

Publisher’s Note

Lake Life is back for another summer

W

hen we started this little magazine we never realized how popular it would be. Both Diamond and Sacheen lake residents who are lucky to live all year on the lakes as well as those that enjoy it just in the summer tell us they look forward to getting each of the five issues. We even hear from many residents in the south Pend Oreille County area who get it in their mailboxes as well as people who just pick up a free copy at one of the stores where we distribute them.

Keep letting us know what you like to see and read. We like to hear from you.

This first issue happened to fall just after the first day of fishing on lowland lakes.

The opener was one of the best in years, anglers reported. Even though it was cold, windy and wet Saturday, April 26, the fish were biting. On Diamond Lake some big rainbow and brown trout hit the lures being trolled.

On our cover, Courtney Oscarson, a Priest River Lamanna High School graduate who is now attending Eastern Washington University, landed this big brown trolling a super duper lure near the surface on Saturday. It even snowed in the morning on Sunday. But that’s lake life. See you next month.

-Fred Willenbrock Publisher

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Published: April 2014 Publisher: Fred Willenbrock Writers & editors: Michelle Nedved, Don Gronning and Desireé Hood Design: Charisse Neufeldt, Pandi Gruver and Michelle Nedved Advertising: Susan Willenbrock, Lindsay Guscott and Cindy Boober LAKE LIFE is published monthly in April, May, June, July and August as a supplement to The Newport Miner and Gem State Miner, 421 S. Spokane, Newport WA 99156.

TELEPHONE: 509-447-2433 E-MAIL: minernews@povn.com, mineradvertising@povn.com FAX: 509-447-9222 Reproduction of articles & photographs is prohibited without permission of the publisher.

See all issues at: The Miner Online: www.pendoreillerivervalley.com.

If you want to receive Lake Life in your mail contact The Miner at 509-447-2433.

2 Lake Life | April 2014

New requirements for docks, bulkheads

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Dock permitting is handled a little differently by county officials now that the updated Shoreline Master Program is in effect.

Pend Oreille County Community Development Director Mike Lithgow says dock work falls into three basic categories: routine repair and maintenance, construction of small docks and construction of large docks.

“If you are just replacing a few boards on the dock, no permit is required,” Lithgow said, although he recommends people contact community development before doing any work. While a county permit is not necessary for replacing boards, a state or federal permit may be required.

Some things are the same.

Docks that were permitted before the SMP are grandfathered in under the SMP. If you substantially change your dock, or build a new one, you need a county permit to do it, which has been the case for years.

But other things have changed.

Under the new shoreline rules, no treated boards or tires may be used on any docks. People don’t have to remove treated wood to comply with the SMP, but when they do replace boards and other treated parts of the dock, they should use an alternative material such as untreated wood, metal, concrete or plastic. Routine repairs should not alter the size of the dock.

Docks are permitted differently, depending on their size – large or small. That applies to both replacement and substantial renovation of existing docks and construction of new docks.

Regardless of whether

they are considered a large or small dock project, docks shouldn’t extend more than 55 feet into the water from the ordinary high water

‘If you are just replacing a few boards on the dock, no permit is required.’

Mike Lithgow

Pend Oreille County Community Development Director

mark. They can be longer if needed in order to reach water deep enough for boat moorage.

Dock ramps should not be wider than 4 feet and piers should not be wider than 8 feet. The total square footage of the dock should not be more than 320 square feet, unless approval is given for the dock to extend farther

N

hern t r o

than 55 feet into the water, in which case it can be as much as 450 square feet.

“Diamond Lake has some places where you could have the 450 square foot dock,” Lithgow said. Small docks also must cost less than $20,000, including the cost of materials and labor. That dollar threshold changed this past legislative session.

New dock surfaces on the river must be covered with grating, although docks on Sacheen and Diamond Lake don’t have that requirement.

The lakes do not have bull trout. The reason grated decking is required on river docks is to allow light to go through the dock to water underneath.

A float system dock must be held in place by a piling or other fixed structure.

For work on small docks, a Shoreline Authorization

Not many changes for Diamond, Sacheen lakes under new SMP

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – The updated Shoreline Master Program has a host of new requirements but not many of them will impact people living at Diamond and Sacheen lakes, according to Community Development Director Mike Lithgow.

“Diamond Lake is mostly built out, so properties are grandfathered in,” Lithgow said.

Under the old plan people could build as close as 25 feet from the ordinary high water mark of the shoreline.

Under the updated plan, new development will not be allowed within 100 feet of the shoreline in most cases for residential development, although people with existing developments will be grandfathered in under the updated plan.

Sacheen Lake isn’t as developed as Diamond Lake, so there are fewer developments that would be grandfathered in, Lithgow said.

But the SMP has alternative ways of calculating setbacks that may apply to lots there, he said.

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DOCKS | FROM PAGE 3

made by the Community Development Department is necessary. A Hydraulic Project Approval from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife is also required, although that isn’t a new requirement. An HPA costs $150. A county permit for construction on a small dock costs $225, depending on the extent of the construction.

To build a new small dock, a State Environmental Policy Act application must also be completed. With the SEPA, the cost rises to $350.

The-12 page SEPA application asks about environmental impacts of the dock, things such as “Could erosion occur as a result of clearing, construction, or use?”

Construction and repair of big docks have the most rules. They require a $450 Substantial Shoreline Development permit from the county, which includes a SEPA review, as well as a $150 HPA from Fish & Wildlife. The application goes before the county planning commission for a public hearing.

The SMP allows low voltage solar

or battery powered lighting. Any other forms of hard wired fixtures and high voltage lighting is not permitted on new and existing docks.

Docks should be spaced and oriented to minimize obstructions to navigation and other water activities such as fishing and swimming.

One dock per lot is allowed.

People are encouraged to share docks.

People are encouraged to share docks.

People may not have structures on residential docks, such as living quarters, covered boat moorage or fueling facilities.

Docks can have a landing pad onshore, but the size of the pad must be the minimum necessary to secure the ramp or dock. In order to be processed under a county Shoreline Authorization, the landing pad must not cost more than $6,400, including labor and materials. If it costs more, a Substantial Shoreline Development Permit is required.

New bulkheads or walls on the shoreline are prohibited. Property owners can maintain their walls, however.

SIDEBAR

FROM PAGE 3

Property owners could buffer average. When a property owner cannot build on their property because of the setback, they may be allowed to increase the setback elsewhere on the property to compensate for where they need to build closer to the water.

Property owners could also use a common line setback. If there is a grandfathered home built to the 25-foot setback on one side and another home built to the 25-foot setback on the other, a property owner may ask to build a new home to the 25-foot setback.

Sacheen Lake does have some lots that have a rural conservancy designation, with a 150-foot buffer.

Barge helps control milfoil

BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

DIAMOND LAKE – Herbicides and a barge with a diver will be used during the summer to treat milfoil and noxious weeds at Diamond Lake, said weed board coordinator Sharon Sorby.

The diver will hand pull milfoil and other weeds, while herbicide will be applied to shorelands on parts of Diamond

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Lake to treat Yellowflag Iris and Canarygrass. Sorby said no schedule has been set for spraying but the estimated time is near August or September. This work may be done along shorelines and Sorby said residents will be given 10 days notice for milfoil work and 24-hour notice when herbicides will be sprayed.

“It’s really a project they can be proud of,” Sorby said. “It seems to work pretty good at keeping it in control.”

Sacheen Lake will have inwater milfoil work done this summer, also using a diver and barge. The diver will bring a boat and help clear the lake of milfoil, Sorby said. Area residents are paying to have the diver come help foil the milfoil.

Sorby said one native plant, the watershield, in the Sacheen Lake area has become a nuisance for area residents and the plant will be sprayed to rid the issue. No dates have been set for spraying. Sorby said this is the only spraying happening at Sacheen Lake and it is in the water.

The barge deploys a diver who loosens the milfoil with their hands. The barge then sucks the milfoil into a holding tank, so the fragments don’t “run astray,” Sorby said. This process rids the area of the plants with minimal spreading. In the past, large groups have hand-pulled SEE MILFOIL, 13

Moon Creek dispute in federal court

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

SPOKANE – The dispute over efforts to lower high water at Diamond Lake in 2012 is the subject of a federal court case.

The Friends of Moon Creek, a seven member group living near an outlet on the west end of Diamond Lake, sued the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, Pend Oreille County’s Noxious Weed Control Board and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in federal court.

The Friends of Moon Creek filed the federal lawsuit seeking a declaration from the court that spraying of herbicide and modifying and destroying beaver dams and killing beaver was improper and should not be allowed.

They also seek attorney’s fees.

The lawsuit named the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Control Board coordinator Sharon Sorby and Phil Anderson, Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. All are represented by attorneys.

While they haven’t won, the Friends of Moon Creek haven’t lost the lawsuit either.

In January, Senior U.S. District Judge Justin Quakenbush heard from attorneys in a conference call. He asked for more information.

In late February Quakenbush declined to dismiss the lawsuit and extended for a month a temporary injunction prohibiting the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the county from entering Moon Creek property without giving 10 days written notice or without written permission from the Friends of Moon Creek.

In late March, Quakenbush granted a temporary injunction against the Diamond Lake Improvement Associa-

tion prohibiting their members or agents from entering the property of the Friends of Moon Creek. But in the same ruling the judge said he can’t stop county or state agencies from doing work authorized by state laws.

In their federal lawsuit, the Friends of Moon Creek also claim their property was trespassed upon.

Diamond Lake Improvement Association President Rich Clubine denied that the association had trespassed or engaged in any other unlawful behavior. He said he was confident that the DLIA would win once all the facts came out.

“Litigation is a long process,” he said. “As of now, the court has only heard one side of the story. Once more facts are presented, we are confident that we will prevail.”

James Schwartz, an assistant attorney general representing WDFW, said he wouldn’t speculate on the trial, but said the parties had a telephone conference with the judge to finalize the process to be followed in the case.

FILE PHOTO

Herbicide being applied from an air boat.

“The parties have already discussed among themselves the possibility of filing motions for summary judgment to have certain parties dismissed,” Schwartz said.

In his March ruling, Quakenbush wrote that Sorby was authorized by state law to enter onto property to SEE CREEK, 6

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April 2014 | Lake Life 5

CREEK FROM PAGE 5

COURTESY PHOTO|DAN HOLMAN

The water was waist deep at the Diamond Lake ditch last September when more 30 residents volunteered to pull Reed Canary Grass root balls that were blocking the flow from the lake. The Diamond Lake Ditch is located near where the Moon Creek dispute started.

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control weeds. There may be “genuine issues concerning the adequacy of the notice,” he wrote, but public interest would not be served by prohibiting the weed board from doing its work on Friends of Moon Creek property.

Sorby said no spraying is scheduled for the Moon Creek area this year.

The purpose of the injunction is not to decide the merits of a case but rather to preserve the status quo until he can rule on the merits of the case, Quakenbush wrote.

The party seeking the injunction must show that they would be likely to prevail in court in order to be granted injunctions, Quakenbush wrote.

Friends of Moon Creek contend that Moon Creek is a non-navigable waterway and that they own the land under it.

Essentially, the Moon Creek claims were that they had suffered a taking without just compensation as defined by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that their property had been trespassed upon. In his March 27 ruling, Quakenbush wrote the Friends of Moon Creek’s argument about unconstitutional taking “is not convincing.”

Their trespassing claims had more merit, Quakenbush said. He wrote that they would likely win a trespassing case.

The judge wrote that, while the Friends of Moon Creek had not definitively established that further trespass will occur, they had established “more than a remote possibility of future injury,” from trespass.

The hydraulic permits do not expire until 2016 or 2017.

In his written analysis of the case, Quakenbush said both the Moon Creek group and the DLIA sought to protect their real property.

The Friends of Moon Creek want to protect their property from trespass, unwanted herbicide application, dredging and destruction of wildlife. The SEE MOON, 7

MOON | FROM PAGE 6

Diamond Lake Improvement Association sought to protect their members’ property from flooding by applying herbicide and installing culverts so water could drain through the beaver dams.

Quakenbush wrote public interest on both sides must be considered.

On the Friends of Moon Creek side, Quakenbush wrote that there is a long established public interest in preserving nature and avoiding irreparable environmental injury.

On the Diamond Lake Improvement Association side, there is a public interest in avoiding damage by flooding.

The dispute is far from settled.

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association has filed its own counterclaim that the Friends of Moon Creek, by allowing noxious weeds to grow, have unlawfully restrictCOURTESY PHOTO|PEND OREILLE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ed water flowing out of the lake, causing high water on Diamond Lake.

The high water resulted in Camp Diamond was a popular destination from the late 1920s to the early 1950s. It was often photographed by Spokane photographer Leo basement flooding, mold damage Ostreicher, like this photo. Camp Diamond is no longer accessible by the public. and soil erosion, among other things, the association claims in its counterclaim.

They also deny trespassing.

They point to a recent survey Office 509-244-5421 • Toll Free (800) 396-2220 they paid for that shows the ANGELA NEWCOMB www.spokanerock.com Multi-Million Dollar Producer beaver dam and access they use Cell: 509-671-2088 to it is on property owned by Office: 509-447-3144 a person who has given them www.angelanewcomb.johnlscott.com permission to use. angelanewcomb@johnscott.com They are also asking for an injunction against the Moon 301 N Union Ave, Newport, WA 99156 Creek property owners. It Your Waterfront Specialist would stop the Moon Creek Welcome to Paradise! property owners from causing restrictions to the flow.

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April 2014 | Lake Life 7

Sacheen sewer project goes to bid

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

SACHEEN LAKE – For the second time, the Sacheen Sewer and Water District has put its wastewater collection and treatment project out to bid.

The first time bids came in more than $2.5 million over the estimate of $7.25 million, so commissioners rejected them all.

This time district commissioners project the cost at about $12 million, according to Gary Garrett, one of the district’s three commissioners.

The district received a $5 million grant from the state and a $6 million loan from the state Department of Ecology. The loan is for 20 years and at 0 percent interest.

The $6 million is based on the county’s census numbers combined with the cost of the system.

The remaining $1.2 million balance will be funded through the state’s public works fund.

The Sacheen Lake sewer project was ranked fourth among 70 applicants for the competitive grant.

The district has called for bids for the project, which is designed to serve 388 lots around the lake.

If things go the way officials hope,

‘To have the grant and the loan at 0 percent interest shows they have great faith in us.’

Peggy Johnsen

District commissioner

construction could start in July, although a timeline won’t be known until the bids are received and reviewed.

The project is being bid in three sections. Bids will be opened May 20, 21 and 22.

The sewer system has been controversial. District commissioners initially tried to form an LID for

a $9 million system in 2010 but a group opposing the project successfully challenged it in Superior Court.

A judge ruled that the district had improperly included some public property in the LID, which had the effect of raising the bar for the number of people needed to challenge the LID formation.

So commissioners formed a smaller LID for the smaller sewer project.

Despite the controversy, the district is committed to building a sewer system. The district was formed by people who wanted a sewer and it seems they’re about to get one.

District commissioner Peggy Johnsen said she was happy Ecology has faith in the district.

“We’re thrilled to have money from Ecology,” she said. “To have the grant and the loan at 0 percent interest shows they have great faith in us.”

Diamond Lake level average DIAMOND LAKE – Most Diamond Lake level observers say the spring level is about average this year. This is good news for many lake shore property owners after several years of unusually high water.

It is about a foot lower than the highest level it reached during the last few years that caused some property owners concern.

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association launched a campaign to open the outlet ditch and eventually put tubes in the major beaver dams. The county also started checking and cleaning the North Shore Road culvert regularly.

A recent inspection of the tubes and ditch showed water flowing. This apparently has kept the lake level under control. DLIA leaders haven’t announced a work plan for this summer. They have said that without cleaning the beaver tube and ditch the flow out of the lake will eventually be slowed and stopped.

They are being challenged in court by property owners along the outlet. (See related story in this issue.)

County boating ordinance emphasizes safety

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NEWPORT – Pend Oreille County’s 25-page boating ordinance outlines how to safely operate a boat on bodies of water including Diamond and Sacheen lakes.

Following are highlights of the ordinance, but not a complete list.

For the entire ordinance, contact Pend Oreille County at 509-4474119. Both Pend Oreille County marine deputies and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents can write tickets covered SEE ORDINANCE, 10

LAKE LIFE PHOTO|FRED WILLENBROCK

The Diamond Lake boat launch had a steady stream of boats launching on opening day with anglers using the shore and dock to fish. The launch was rebuilt last year with a new floating dock added. The Diamond Lake Improvement Association had its volunteer boat inspection going all weekend.

LAKE LIFE PHOTO|FRED WILLENBROCK

Opening day Dave Jelinek of Nine Mile Falls landed this fat rainbow opening day on Diamond Lake. His son Curt is next to him. It was windy, cold and wet most of the day but the anglers didn’t mind because they were catching fish. Rainbow and brown trout in the 16-inch range weren’t uncommon along with many smaller planted fish. Most said it didn’t matter what part of the lake they were on to get a bite.

Merv’s Mercantile closes

DIAMOND LAKE – Merv’s Mercantile, the gas station and store at Diamond Lake on Highway 2, closed its doors this past winter.

Roger Tompkins, the building’s owner, has said he wants to lease the building. Merv’s was operated by Rob and Sandi Munden.

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Calendar of Events WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

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DIAMOND LAKE WATER AND SEWER: 10 a.m. - District Office, 172 South Shore Road DIAMOND LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION: 6:30 p.m. - Diamond Lake Fire Station, Highway 2 SACHEEN LAKE SEWER AND WATER DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. Sacheen Fire Station, Highway 211

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 HOME AND COMMUNITY EDUCATORS DIAMOND LAKE CLUB: Noon - Call Billie Goodno at 509-447-3781 or Chris King at 208-437-0971

THURSDAY, MAY 15 SOUTH PEND OREILLE FIRE & RESCUE: 7 p.m. - Station 31, 325272 Highway 2, Diamond Lake

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 DIAMOND LAKE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT BOARD: 10 a.m. District Office

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 SACHEEN LADIES OF THE LAKE: Noon - Various Locations, call President Maria Bullock at 509-998-4221

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ORDINANCE FROM PAGE 8

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10 Lake Life | April 2014

by this law.

• Speed Restrictions: No person shall operate a vessel, except for vessels exempted by watercraft testing or racing permit, at a speed greater than 45 MPH on any lake over 200 water acres in P.O. County, unless otherwise posted at a lesser speed. (c) 35 MPH on Sacheen Lake, unless otherwise posted at a greater/ lesser speed. (d) NO WAKE on any lake of 200 acres or less(e) SEE ORDINANCE, 16

Weird winter weather SACHEEN LAKE – It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that we had one heck of a strange winter here in Pend Oreille County!

It was almost as if the populace of lake beaver gathered together, and with their huge flat paddles, fanned all the winter weather east where many might argue it is well deLutz served, especially for some of those hammer-heads in DC! Well, you might see something of that nature on Al Gore’s global warming TV network, (I sure hope there isn’t such a thing, but who knows) but in the real world, it was a huge, nearly stationary ridge of high pressure that was the culprit. Like a stubborn mule, which locks its legs at a 45 degree angle into the dirt when you try to get it to move, the high also refused to budge. This despite the fact that the strong winter jet streams tried to give more than a gentle push every now and then. In short, the high (like one of those fabulous Seahawk linebackers) blocked most of the storms from entering the Northwest which ultimately gave us an unusually dry start to the winter season.

While there was a significant lack of snow at first, there was certainly no lack of cold air throughout the winter months!

In fact, the first of what was to be three strong Arctic outbreaks hit on Dec. 4 making our furnaces work harder than a one-legged ant trying to swim across the Pend Oreille River during spring run-off!

Now for us hardy souls that ride-out the long winter seasons here in Pend Oreille County, we are always on the lookout for cheap entertainment. And as luck would have it, Arctic air masses come with just that! For those of us that live in an area with lots of Grand Firs around our homes, we get to go outside and listen for popping noises out in the forests – kind of like small fireworks! This

Weather Babble occurs when the sap pockets in those Fir trees freeze and explode. For me however, I had some different images dancing around in my noggin …

While standing out on the back deck (in shorts with my wife giving me side-eyes) listening for those popping sounds, I was imagining that it was some of those left-over yellow jackets exploding in the crisp morning air! Say what!? Well, did you actually like those obnoxious creatures this past summer?

Alright then, I rest my case!

Okay, on a more serious note, (not that all those bee stings I sustained last year were a joke) the lack of snowfall in November, December and early January was certainly creating a bit of worry for our local hydrologists as the mountains were lacking that crucial snow pack.

And for us bottom dwellers here in the valleys that rely on the snow to make a few extra bucks during the winter season, the scenario was not much better.

In fact at one point I was thinking about investing in one of those snowmaking machines! Yes, the plan was to strategically place it over my customers’ parking lots while they slept, so that I could get some plowing work! Fortunately, my wallet was spared the expense

as around mid January, mother nature’s snow machine kicked into gear all on its own. This only occurred after the high pressure ridge finally got its butt kicked by a strong Polar jet stream. In the end, the valley snow-belt regions finished out the season with a respectable seasonal total of 76.5 inches of snow, which includes the 3 inches that fell April 27 after Mother Nature pulled a cruel, late April fool’s joke on us! The mountains faired even better with snow packs finally building to above normal levels in February and March.

If your heating bills were a bit higher this past winter, there was good reason!

While most Western states saw temperatures well above normal, Washington and North Idaho were the exception to the rule as we kept getting “clipped” by those Arctic air masses moving down from Canada. That Arctic air was rarely able to make it any further south than the Washington/Oregon border thanks to that blocking West Coast High.

Then in March, it seemed like it took forever for the snow to melt and for the thick ice to come off our area lakes. That was because once that blocking high dissipated, it opened the door for a parade of cold storms keeping the region on the cooler and wetter side of normal right through

the early part of spring.

And on the subject of spring (more specifically spring clean-up-yuk) you might have noticed another strange phenomenon caused by a our weird winter weather … Mounds of heaved-up dirt and grass in your yard! No, this was not caused by gigantic, one-eyed winter moles from Hanford drilling though your soil. No, it was actually a result of our abnormal winter patterns. Typically, by the time Arctic air arrives we have a thick blanket of insulating snow on the ground.

That was not the case this past winter as we had a lack of snow pack, and the Arctic air actually arrived unusually early.

This all combined to generate numerous frost heaves in places that you would not normally see them, and some were quite substantial! Now those frost heaves should have all settled back into place this late in the game, but if they have not, then maybe it is time to start looking for those gigantic moles!

In our next issue of Lake Life, I’ll talk about some of those weather terms (i.e. El Nino, PDO, etc) that you have likely been hearing about on the news of late. We’ll sort it all out and let you know what it means for our upcoming summer season.

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STOCK PHOTO

Two-hundred-fifty jumbo Rainbow trout were stocked in Diamond Lake during April. Diamond Lake also received 1,092 smaller Rainbow Trout and 30,000 triploid Rainbow Trout.

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OLYMPIA – Washington’s biggest fishing day of the year – the lowland lakes trout opener – was Saturday, April 26, and state fish hatchery crews got ready by releasing millions of catchable fish in lakes across the state.

For this year’s fishing season, the Washington

Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) plans to plant nearly 16.5 million trout and kokanee in hundreds of lakes on both sides of the Cascades.

Those fish include 2.3 million catchable trout, nearly 115,000 jumbo trout weighing up to 11 pounds apiece, and more than 50,000 triploid trout averaging 1½ pounds each.

Millions of carry-over trout that were stocked last year and have grown to catchable size will also be available in lakes throughout New Construction • Customs • Remodels the state.

This season, Diamond Lake received 1,092 rainbow trout April • Shops • Garages • Barns 1. An additional 30,000 triploid Rainbow Trout were stocked in FREE Estimates • References Available April, as well as 250 jumbo Rainbow Trout. The lake also received Matt Jared (509) 671-2276 (509) 220-8714 12,000 Brown Trout. The Diamond Lake Improvement AssociaLic# RIVERCE886B7 tion also raises fish in net pens at

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STOCKED | 2.3 million catchable trout; nearly 115,000 jumbo FROM PAGE 12

the Boy Scout Camp. They traditionally release them several weeks after opening day.

Sacheen Lake received 6,000 triploid Rainbow Trout in April and Sacheen also received fish in October 2013. Crews began this year’s stocking program in March and will continue through June. All opening day lakes will be stocked prior to the opener on April 26.

To put this in perspective, if all the catchable trout being released were laid end to end, they would stretch from Westport to Spokane.

“With this many fish planted, families should enjoy a great fishing season all across the state, so come on out and fish Washington,” said Chris Donley, WDFW inland fish program manager.

Donley reminds anglers to make sure they have a current Washington freshwater fishing license, valid through March 31, 2015. Licenses can be purchased online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov ; by telephone at 1-866-246-9453; or from about 700 license dealers across the state. For license vendor locations, visit the WDFW website at http:// wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/ .

Freshwater fishing licenses cost $29.50 for resident adults 16 to 69 years old. Fifteenyear-olds can buy a license for $8.05, and seniors 70 and older can buy an annual freshwater fishing license for $7.50. Children 14 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license. The department’s Fish Washington website, available from the department’s homepage wdfw.wa.gov, provides the when’s, where’s and how-to’s of fishing throughout the state. Fish stocking details, by county and lake, are available in the annual stocking plan on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/statewide/.

Triploids planted in Pend Oreille County The process for making trout sterile is complex. When trout spawn, the female’s eggs possess two sets of chromosomes and the male’s sperm possess one set. After the eggs are fertilized, the chromosomes recombine and each egg inherits one set of chromosomes from the female and another set from the male – similar to humans. The third set is then kicked out of the egg. Rarely in the wild, an egg will “forget” to kick out the third set and the fish becomes what is known as a triploid, possessing three sets of chromosomes. Triploid fish look, swim, jump, and taste like normal fish, except for one important difference – they never develop normal eggs or sperm and are unable to reproduce.

Through experimentation with this natural process, researchers found that they could create triploid trout

both by exposing trout eggs to pressure and by placing trout eggs in a warm water bath shortly after fertilization. Both processes inhibit a trout egg’s ability to kick out that third set of chromosomes and, a triploid fish is born.

Hatchery staff say that contrary to rumors these fish do not grow bigger, faster. In fact, they have noticed that they might not be as hearty.

‘Disney on Stage’ at Circle Moon NEWPORT – The Mountain Harmony Show Choir, with the support of Northwoods Performing Arts, brings to life “Disney on Stage,” Friday and Saturday, May 9-10 at the Circle Moon Theatre, 3642 N. Highway 211.

The show offers a fully choreographed choral presentation featuring solos and small groups.

Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets cost $25 including the meal.

Shows start at 7:30 p.m. and show only tickets cost $12. Reservations for dinner are required.

Youth tickets cost $5 for ages 5-18, and children 4 and under get in for free.

Family tickets, for two adults and three children, cost $25.

Call 208-448-1294 or go online at http://circlemoon.webs.com for more information.

MILFOIL | Process is not perfect FROM PAGE 4

the milfoil in shallower waters. The contractor disposes of the plants.

Sorby said that this process is not perfect and stronger measures may be used if milfoil gets out of control. Herbicides are the most common when this occurs, Sorby said.

The best way to rid the area of these plants is to keep after it, Sorby said.

“If you keep after it, maintenance is low,” Sorby said.

Three different permits are issued for controlling milfoil and other noxious weeds. The aquatic noxious weed permit is issued by the Department of Ecology to the Conservational District to spray the

shore when needed. An aquatic plant and algae permit is issued by the Department of Ecology to the weed board and gives permission to treat native and noxious plants. The barge also has to be permitted and the Diamond Lake Improvement Association is issued a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permit. This is issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect the freshwater fish from projects that use hydraulic pumps of any kind and may impact the path the water travels.

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Diamond Lake still looking for lake host

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FILE PHOTO

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DIAMOND LAKE – The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is still looking for a lake host to monitor the public boat launch and check boats for invasive species during the 2014 summer season.

DLIA volunteers began inspecting boats Saturday, April 26, the opening day of fishing season.

They will continue to inspect boats for aquatic plants and invasive specials during the weekends and high-traffic times, such as holidays.

The hours may vary but inspections can happen between 6-10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteer Pam Tully said volunteers are welcome. Call Tully at 509-447-5942.

The lake host will close the gate to the boat launch at 10 p.m.

Monday through Friday. The gate will be closed Saturdays and Sundays by volunteers, according to DLIA member Ken Schueman.

The host should have a self contained RV for dry camping to live at the launch, located on the south side of the lake. A stipend of $25 a day will be offered. In addition to inspecting boats, the host will use the power washer, if necessary to clean boats, pass out educational information and record stats.

The host will also work with government agencies, volunteers and recreational lake users.

Schueman said they’ve been lucky with the same person taking the job for the last three years, but they aren’t returning this year.

Anyone interested in the position can email Tully at tullyspoint175@povn.com, or call Schueman at 208-661-3402.

Little Diamond campground open for season DIAMOND LAKE – The Newport/ Little Diamond Lake KOA Campground, located at 1002 McGowen Road in Newport, is now open for the 2014 summer camping season.

The campground is managed by Jill and Mike Johnson.

The campground will be offering a free night of camping Saturday, May 10, as part of Kampgrounds of America’s annual KOA Care Camps Big Weekend. Campers who stay as paying guests Friday, May 9, will receive a free night of camping Saturday, May 10. The 11th Annual KOA Care Camps Big Weekend event is the official start to the 2014 summer camping season and is being offered at participating KOAs throughout North America.

The Care Camps Big Weekend event is also the major fundraiser for KOA Care Camps, the official charity of Kampgrounds of America and the KOA Owners Association.

Donations raised during the May 9-10 weekend will go to benefit KOA Care Camps, a network of 55 COURTESY PHOTO|KOA specialized, medically equipped Recreation opportunities abound at the Newport/Little Diamond Lake KOA Campground. The fishing is good in this little pond, and visitors can rent summer camps throughout North paddle boats.

America that offer children 2014 Outdoor Collections In Stock battling cancer a true summer camp experience at no charge to their families.

To reserve a site or cabin, go to www.KOA.com and click on the Big Weekend event box, or just go to www.koa.com/national-events/care-camps-big-weekend for a complete list of particiWe are proud to be locally owned and pating KOA campgrounds. operated since July of 2003. We have Kampgrounds of America is been protecting Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho for over 9 years. celebrating its 52nd Anniversary in 2014. KOA, the world’s Our friendly servicemen have been professionally trained to largest network of familyeffectively treat for: Ants, Carpenter Ants, Termites, Bed Bugs, friendly campgrounds with 485 Spiders, Yellow Jackets & Wasps, Mice, Flies, Fleas, Box Elder Bugs, locations in North America, was Roaches, Gophers, Voles, Birds, Exclusions, and most other pests. born on the banks of the Yellow- stone River in Billings, Montana •Free estimates •All work guaranteed •Member of the Washington Pest in 1962.

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Lake KOA is one of 485 open-tothe-public KOA campgrounds “What Matters To You Matters To Us.” in the Kampgrounds of America system in the U.S. and Canada.

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April 2014 | Lake Life 15

KOA FROM PAGE 15

wonderful example of what we offer to our camping guests,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier.

The Newport/Little Diamond Lake KOA Campground was awarded the 2014 KOA President’s Award by Kampgrounds of America, the world’s largest system of family-friendly campgrounds. The award was presented this past winter at KOA’s Annual International Convention in Austin, Texas.

KOA is celebrating its 51st Anniversary in 2013.

The KOA President’s Award is presented annually to campgrounds that receive high scores in customer service from their campers, and also receive top scores in KOA’s annual Quality Review.

Kampgrounds of America was founded in 1962 on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Billings, Mont. To find out more about this KOA, any of the other 485 KOAs in the U.S. or Canada, go to www.KOA. com.

ORDINANCE FROM PAGE 10

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Under certain conditions the above -posted speed limits may not be safe/ practical and may be considered unsafe/negligent.

A vessel shall not exceed “wake speed” when within 100 feet of any, dock, ski dock, pier, stationary vessel, trolling vessel, shoreline, swimmer, float, piling or scuba dive flag.

Between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour prior to sunrise, all vessels will operate at a speed, not to exceed 15 MPH. Every vessel shall, when operating in the dark, fog, mist, falling snow, or a heavy rainstorm, operate at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions and shall be able to stop on-half the SEE ORDINANCE, 21

Fire season is here, learn how to burn safely

BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – Fire season has started in Pend Oreille County, and South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Nokes said these rules are used to keep people safe while enjoying recreational fires.

Precautions should be taken with all types of fires, including recreational fires. The fire should be on improved land and not reach more than 3 feet by 3 feet and be no taller than 2 feet. A responsible adult should attend the fire at all times. A charged water hose or five gallons of water also needs to be present, along with a shovel. A clearing of at least three feet around the fire is required.

The county’s burn ordinance is tied to the state Department of Natural Resources policy. When the DNR imposes a burn ban on DNR lands within Pend Oreille County, the ban will also apply to county lands, with the exception provided for properly attended recreational fires.

Throwing a block party or have a story idea?

DIAMOND LAKE – If you are planning to throw a block party at Diamond or Sacheen lake and want to get the word out, let us know. We are also looking for story ideas and pictures.

Contact The Miner Newspapers at 509-447-2433, email us at minernews@povn.com, submit your event info at www.PendOreilleRiverValley. com, fax us at 509-447-9222 or stop by our office at 421 S. Spokane, Newport.

When the DNR bans fires in their campgrounds, all recreational fires will also be prohibited. If a fire were to escape from the property owner, they are responsible for any and all fire

If it isn’t a recreational fire and is more of a debris fire, DNR will be notified. suppression costs.

Nokes said if a fire violation were found, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department would handle the matter. Deputies can write a $125 ticket for the first offense in a calendar year, $250 for a second offense and $500 for violations after that. If it isn’t a recreational fire and is more of a debris fire, DNR will be notified.

STOCK PHOTO

When the DNR bans fires in their campgrounds, all recreational fires will also be prohibited. If a fire were to escape from the property owner, they are responsible for any and all fire suppression costs.

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Who to Contact Diamond Lake Water & Sewer Dist.

509-447-4660 Fax: 509-447-0180 172 South Shore Road, Newport, WA 99156-9300 Operates water and sewer systems around Diamond Lake.

Commissioners (six-year term): chairman Bob Graham (2017), Secretary Richard Swan (2016), Ray King (2019).

Commissioner stipend: $70 per meeting Board meets on the first and third Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the district office.

Office open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MondayFriday. Maintenance hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

In addition, they can be reached by telephone after hours for emergencies.

Sacheen Lake Sewer & Water Dist.

509-447-4641 Mail: 8272 Fertile Valley Rd., Sacheen Lake, WA 99156 Located at Sacheen Lake in southern Pend Oreille County, the Sacheen Lake Sewer & Water District is in the process of constructing a sewer collection and

treatment system that will serve the majority of the lakefront properties. The district also continues to work on lake water quality and lake level issues as well as milfoil control.

The district also owns and maintains the Myers/Harter Sanctuary, located near the corner of Highway 211 and Fertile Valley Road.

Commissioners: position 1 Perry Pearman (2017), position 2 Gary Garrett (2015), position 3 Peggy Johnsen (2019) Commissioner stipend: 0 District manager: Sheila Pearman Commissioners meet at Sacheen Lake Fire Station, Highway 211, on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue Serving south Pend Oreille County including Diamond Lake, Sacheen Lake, Deer Valley, Camden and Fertile Valley areas.

Chief: Mike Nokes 509-447-5305 Annual salary: $62,000 Commissioners: Gary Wilkey 509447-0744, Randy Miller 509-292-8065, Galen Hansen 509-292-9458, Karen Johnston 509-939-7714

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Commissioner stipend: $100 per meeting Commissioners meet the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Diamond Lake Station.

Diamond Lake Station is staffed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Mail: 325272 Hwy. 2, Newport WA Website: www.spofr.org

Pend Oreille County Commissioners

509-447-4119 District 1: Karen Skoog, chairwoman (2016) District 2: Mike Manus, member (2014) District 3: Steve Kiss, vice chairman (2016) Four-year terms Annual salary: Manus $53,148, Skoog and Kiss $50,490 Duties: Serve as chief legislative and executive body in county; including, but not limited to, approve taxes; adopt a balanced budget, operate budgets under control of appointed department heads; oversee public roads and works; counseling; planning of unincorporated areas; and other services which are not clearly

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the responsibility of another elected official. Appoint citizens to commissions and boards; represent the county locally, regionally and statewide on various boards such as public health and economic development.

Mail: P.O. Box 5025, Newport, WA 99156 Board meets every Monday and Tuesday at 9 a.m. in commissioners’ office, main floor of the courthouse.

Clerk of the board: Elizabeth Braun Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Pend Oreille County Community Development Department

509-447-4821 Mike Lithgow, director Responsible for county land use, growth management planning and the county park system. Also responsible for the review and approval of various development and construction permits, such as building permits, shoreline development permits, subdivision and mobile home park and recreational vehicle park approvals. The park board meets the third Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Cusick Community Center.

P.O. Box 5066, Newport, Journeyman WAMail: 99156 Plumber • Planning Commission District 1: John Stuart, Norris Boyd, Doug Smith; District 2: Don Senior & Vet Comins, Terry Holloway, Guy Discounts Thomas; District 3: Rob Payne, Paul Edgren and Judy Ashton.

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Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed SEE CONTACT, 19

CONTACT FROM PAGE 18

Control Board 509-447-2402 Fax: 509-447-6477 Charged with ensuring the control of noxious weeds in the county. The weed board office is located in the courthouse annex 418 S Scott Ave., and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday.

Mail: P.O. Box 5085, Newport WA 99156 Board: Dist. 1 Warren Koontz, Dist. 2 Wes Bailey, Dist. 3 Vacant, Dist. 4 Joe Sherman, Dist.

5 Vacant The board meets every even month on the second Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the weed board office.

Weed coordinator: Sharon Sorby Email: ssorby@pendoreille.org

Natural Resource Conservation (USDA)

509-447-4217 Fax: 855-847-5495 P.O. Box 280, Newport, WA 99156 Located at Newport post office, Room 110.

Resource conservationist: Mark Simpson

Pend Oreille

Announcing the line-up for our

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Conservation District

509-447-1155 Website: www.POCD.org Office is located at 121 N Washington Ave. in the back of the building District Administrator: Terry Holloway Board of Supervisors: Chairman Ralph Christiansen, Vice Chairman George Stuivenga, Treasurer Michele Mausen, and members Randall Leestma and John W. Floyd Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. except July when there is no meeting. Elections and appointments are held in February.

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April 2014 | Lake Life 19

Schedule at Camp Cowles filling up

BY DESIREÉ HOOD OF THE MINER

DIAMOND LAKE – Camp Cowles Boy Scout Camp at Diamond Lake has many events throughout the summer, filling up the Finch Lodge with people from around the area.

The Outdoor Leadership Skills Training will occur Friday through Sunday, May 2-4.

The Woodbadge is scheduled twice, giving advanced training to Boy Scout leaders.

It is Friday through Sunday, May 29-31 and Thursday through Saturday, June 12-14.

The Councilwide Scoutrageous Camporee happens Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1. This camp happens about every four years and brings together youth and adult scouters from districts of the Inland Northwest Council and teaches topics such as targetry, physical fitness, cooking and camping skills.

The weeklong National Youth Leadership Training, Saturday through Sunday, June

14-22, helps provide youth members with leadership skills and experience. This is a sixday course.

The Japeechen Rendezvous, Sunday through Saturday, June 22-28, is a week of living, camping, eating, sleeping and working in the mid-1800s.

Cub Country Cub Scout Camps for children ages 7-10 happens Friday, July 11 through, Thursday, Aug. 14. These are daily and registration can be found online at http://www. nwscouts.org/camping/cowles-scout-reservation/cub-country-on-diamond-lake/23689.

The Order of the Arrow Service Weekend, Friday through Sunday, August 22-24, honors Boy Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.

In the 1920s, the Boy Scouts of America established the 80-acre waterfront property, donated by William Cowles.

Julius A. Zittel designed Camp Cowles and the Finch Lodge was built in 1923.

Boaters need to take a class

20 Lake Life | April 2014

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association (PORPA) and the Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance (PORTA) are sponsoring an eight-hour boater safety course, Saturday May 10 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Priest River Senior Center, 339 E. Jackson Ave. Adults and children age 10 and above are welcome to attend.

The cost is $10 and includes lunch. The state of Washington requires operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater to take a safety education course and obtain a boater education card to oper-

ate in Washington. The state of Idaho recommends a boater safety course. By completing the course you will meet requirements for both Idaho and Washington Boater Safety Cards.

It will be taught by highly experienced certified U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors and will cover: Know your Boat, Before You Get Underway, Operating Your Boat Safety, Boating Emergencies - What to Do, and Enjoying Water Sports with your Boat.

This course is a prerequisite for future on-the-water boating courses.

Many boat insurance compa-

nies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete this course. Completion also makes you eligible for future on-thewater boating courses.

Pre-registration is recommended. Go to http://www. porta-us.com, and pay-pal and credit cards are accepted.

In person registration can be done at the Coast Guard Aux. and PORPA table at Mitchell’s Harvest Foods in Priest River, Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, email Patricia Sudick with the Head of the Pend Oreille Regatta at headrace@netw.com.

ORDINANCE FROM PAGE 16

distance of available visibility.

- Safe Speed: Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

• Speed Restrictions: No person shall operate a vessel, except for vessels exempted by watercraft testing or racing permit, at a speed greater than 45 MPH on any lake over 200 water acres in P.O. County, unless otherwise posted at a lesser speed. 35 MPH on Sacheen Lake, unless otherwise posted at a greater/lesser speed. NO WAKE on any lake of 200 acres or less. Under certain conditions the above-posted speed limits may not be safe/ practical and may be considered unsafe/negligent. A vessel shall not exceed “wake speed” when within 100 feet of any, dock, ski dock, pier, stationary vessel, trolling vessel, shoreline, swimmer, float, piling or scuba dive flag. Between onehalf hour after sunset and onehalf hour prior to sunrise, all vessels will operate at a speed, not to exceed 15 MPH. Every vessel shall, when operating in the dark, fog, mist, falling snow, or a heavy rainstorm, operate at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the existing circumstances and conditions and shall be able to stop on –half the distance of available visibility.

• Operating a vessel in a reckless manner – under the influence of intoxicants.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner on the waterways of Pend Oreille County. It shall be a violation for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.

The fact that any person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws SEE ORDINANCE, 22

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At home, remove paint can lid and place can in a warm spot to dry out, OR add a claybased kitty litter, sawdust or soil to the LATEX paint. Stir daily to break the “skin” and allow the rest to dry out.

When the LATEX paint is DRY or in a semisolid state, dispose of LATEX paint can (keep the lids off) with your regular garbage.

Pend Oreille Public Works Department at (509) 671-6147. bgillespie@pendoreille.org

LAW OFFICE OF DENISE STEWART

• Wills • Trusts • Powers of Attorney

(509) 447-3118 423 W. 2nd Street • Newport

Pend Oreille County

Public Utility District

• Probate • Medicaid • Business

“Quality Service at Low Cost”

301 S. WASHINGTON AVE. - SUITE A NEWPORT • (509) 447-3242 www.popud.org 22 Lake Life | April 2014

509-447-3137

509-242-3137

of the state shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this section. A person cited under this subsection may upon request be given a breath test for blood alcohol or may request to have a blood sample taken for blood alcohol analysis.

• Water Skiing: Any person who shall operate a vessel which has in tow another person (or persons on water skis, aquaplane, or other similar device) and any person who shall operate such water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in tow behind a vessel, shall be deemed engaged in water skiing and shall be conducted in a general counter clockwise direction. An observer (spotter/flag person) is required to be in the vessel, in addition to the operator when a person is in tow.

An observer (spotter/flag person) shall be considered competent to accomplish the task.

It shall be a violation of this section to tow another person (or persons on water skis, aquaplane, or other similar device) during the period from one half hour after sunset until one half hour prior to sunrise.

No person or persons shall (or persons on water skis, aquaplane, or other similar device) within one hundred (100) feet of any boat launching ramp, any vessel, swimmer or swim area, safety buoy, shoreline, or man-made structure or object.

No person or persons shall engage in water skiing operations between the safety buoy line and the shoreline.

Skiers may take-off from docks or shorelines as long as the takeoff is at a 90 degree angle from shoreline. At no time can such take-off cause risk or hazard to other vessels, or persons in or on the water.

No vessel shall follow behind a person being towed on water skis, aquaplane or other similar device, closer than 300 feet, nor shall any vessel cross a towing vessel’s bow by less than 200 feet, nor shall any SEE ORDINANCE, 23

ORDINANCE FROM PAGE 22

vessel come within 100 feet of a person being towed.

A safety buoy line shall not be used as a slalom course.

No person shall operate any vessel, tow rope, or other device by which the direction or location of a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device, may be affected or controlled in such a negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. No person shall engage in water skiing while under the influence of any liquor, narcotic drug, or controlled substance as defined under RCW 69.50. No person shall operate or permit to be operated, any vessel used for towing water skiers or similar devices in which persons or objects are being towed above, on any waterway unless it shall have on board and display a warning flag.

A warning flag shall be a brilliant orange in color, measuring 12 inch x 12 inch, mounted on a handle not less than 24 inches long. (B) When anyone being towed by a vessel becomes disengaged from the towline and is down in the water, an observer (spotter/flag person) in the vessel shall immediately hold the warning flag aloft, visible from all sides, as an indicator to other vessels in the area that a person is down in the water and the flag shall remain displayed to prevent danger to that person and hazards to passing vessels.

Such warning flag shall be displayed only under the conditions set forth in this section or when other eminent dangers exist.

• Burdened Vessel Duty Every Vessel which is directed by this chapter or Washington State law to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances permit, avoid crossing ahead of the other. Every vessel which is directed by this chapter or Washington State law to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, on approaching it, if necessary, slacken its speed or stop or reverse.

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April 2014 | Lake Life 23

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509-447-2433 • 421 S. Spokane Ave. 24 Lake Life | April 2014