Lake life may

Celebrating Life at Diamond Lake and Sacheen Lake Volume 6, Issue 2

May 2017

Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Newport, WA Permit No. 384400

WHO TO CONTACT Pend Oreille County Website: pendoreilleco.org

Commissioners

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509-447-4119 District 1: Chairwoman Karen Skoog (2020) District 2: Member Mike Manus (2018) District 3: Vice Chairman Steve Kiss (2020) Four-year terms Annual salary: $53,945.28 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.

Public Utility District No. 1 509-447-3137 Fax: 509-447-5824 Website: www.popud.org To report an outage, call 509-447-3137, 509-446-3137, or 509-242-3137.

General Manager: F. Colin Willenbrock

Diamond Lake Water & Sewer District 509-447-4660 Fax: 509-447-0180 172 South Shore Diamond Lake 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 Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Maintenance hours are daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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

Sacheen Lake Sewer & Water District

509-447-4641 8272 Fertile Valley Rd., Sacheen Lake, WA 99156 Located at Sacheen Lake in southern Pend Oreille County. The district’s new sewer collection and treatment system serves the majority of the lakefront properties. The district continue to investigate connecting more homes to the system. The district also continues to work on lake water quality and lake level issues as well as milfoil control.

The district 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 is Mike Quick (2017), position 3 Peggy Johnsen (2019) Commissioner stipend: 0 District Manager: Sheila Pearman Commissioners meet at Sacheen Lake Fire Station,

Highway 211, on the second Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m.

South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue 325272 Highway 2, Newport, WA 99156 Website: www.spofr.org Serving south Pend Oreille County including Diamond Lake, Sacheen Lake, Deer Valley, Camden and Fertile Valley areas.

Chief: Mike Nokes 509-4475305 Annual salary: $72,930 Commissioners: Gary Wilkey 509-447-0744, Finance Officer Randy Miller 509-292-8065, Galen Hansen 509-292-9458, Vice Chairman Karen Johnston 509-939-7714, Chairman Harry Egland 509-936-0524 Commissioner stipend: $100 per meeting Commissioners meet the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Diamond Lake Station.

Published: May 2017 Publisher: Michelle Nedved Writers & editors: Don Gronning and Sophia Aldous Advertising: Lindsay Guscott, Cindy Boober and Micki Brass 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.

May Lake Life

How high is that water?

High lake levels lead to no wake zone for Sacheen

By Sophia Aldous of the miner

DIAMOND LAKE – Residents of Sacheen Lake that attended a recent town hall meeting with Pend Oreille County Commissioners undoubtedly got their wish when commissioners passed a temporary no wake restriction on Sacheen Lake. The commissioners approved the restriction during their regular weekly business meeting Tuesday, May 2.

No Wake Zones on Diamond and Sacheen lakes were on the minds of residents that attended a Town Hall meeting with Pend Oreille County commissioners Friday, April 28. The

Lake Life photo|Caneel Johnson

High lake levels are a concern for some area residents around Diamond and Sacheen lakes, as illustrated in this picture of the pump house on Sacheen Lake resident Dyana James’ property.

town hall format is a series of meetings, about two to three a year the commissioners hold throughout Pend

Oreille County to give residents an update on county See no wake, 5

Lake Life photo|Sophia Aldous

Residents of Diamond and Sacheen lakes gather to visit with Pend Oreille County Commissioners Karen Skoog, Steven Kiss and Mike Manus at the Boat Launch Restaurant and Lounge in April regarding the possibility of a No Wake zone.

May Lake Life

PAGE 3

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‘Legends and Lore’ premieres June 3

SACHEEN LAKE - Rainbows, unicorns, folklore, and much more will be celebrated in “Legends and Lore,” the spring production of Northwoods Performing Arts.

“Legends” is scheduled on June 2-3, 9-10, 13, and 16-17. Tickets are $25 per person for dinner and show, or $12 for show only. Senior and children tickets are $10.

Dining service begins at 6:30 p.m. and the curtain opens at 7:30 p.m.

Dinners are provided by Skeyes the Limit (menu for June 2 and June 16 is chicken parmesan); Mi Pueblo (menu for June 3 and June 9 is chili Colorado); River Catering by Darcie (menu for June 10 is BBQ pork ribs), and Travis Coffey (menu for June 13 and June 17 is BBQ pork ribs).

For tickets and reservations call 208-448-1294 or go to www.rthwoodsperformingarts.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport.

Circle Moon Theatre is located on Highway 211, three and a half miles north of Highway 2.

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PAGE 4

DIAMOND LAKE: Bring your builder! This is one of the last FLAT LOTS left on the lake! 50 FT, Boat Dock, Located in great “no wake” bay. Price to sell $175,000. MLS# 201624555

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NO WAKE | No one speaks for wakes From Page 3

issues and topics.

However, the prospect of a no wake zone was at the heart of why the majority of the crowd had gathered in the meeting room of the Boat Launch Restaurant and Lounge in Diamond Lake. A no wake zone means a vessel must travel at or below idle speed, or at such speed that the boat or its waves are not big enough to cause damage to other persons, boats or property.

The temporary speed restriction on Sacheen Lake will remain in effect until lifted by the commissioners.

As of this writing Monday, May 22, there are no wake restrictions on Diamond Lake.

Specifically as it pertains to local lakes, there has been some concern that the high lake levels will exacerbate flooding in houses built near the shoreline.

In an op-ed written on May 16, the Pend Oreille County Commissioners said they are taking “a middle of the road approach” in regards to a No Wake Zone on Diamond Lake, since reports show that lake level is slowly dropping and that levels have been lower this year than the lake levels experienced in the last wake ban on the lake in 2012. The op-ed also considers that Diamond Lake has areas where wakes would not have as much impact on improved property and because there “is less acceptance of a wake ban by residents.” The board has opted to provide signs on the lake shore to remind people of the Negligent Operation portion of the current County Boating Safety Ordinance (read in full at http://pendoreilleco.org).

“We urge the public toMay Lake Life

ward careful and prudent boating operations under the existing conditions to reduce the effects of vessel wakes on private property,” reads the op-ed. “Operators with boats designed to produce a large

“We cannot make official county decisions at town hall meetings, we are just here to hear what you have to say.”

Karen Skoog Commission Chairwoman

wake should be considerate of others and aware of potential damage done by large wakes.”

The commissioners are the only governing body that can decide to create a no wake zone on local lakes, whether it’s indefinitely or for a limited amount of time.

Though there were those at the town hall that asked the commissioners to make a decision during the evening, the commissioners refused on the grounds of legality.

“We cannot make official county decisions at town hall meetings,” commission chairwoman Karen Skoog said. “We are just here to hear what you have to say.”

In 2012, the levels at Diamond Lake were more than 2,343 feet. That was the last time the lake had a no wake zone. This year the lake levels are at the 2,342 mark.

Sacheen Lake is currently at 9.4 decimal feet.

According to Sacheen Lake Association president Don Hill, boat recreation would be more ideal if the gauge was at 7.9.

If there was anyone at the meeting who didn’t want a no wake zone, they didn’t speak up. The majority of the

audience was overwhelmingly in favor of the commissioners imposing a no wake zone, even if it was only for a short time so the water levels would have a chance to recede. Many cited shoreline damage, basement flooding and safety concerns for wanting a no wake zone.

While some residents said that basement flooding could most likely be caused by ground water, depending on where on the lake a home was constructed, speed boats not showing courtesy and respect for other people’s property by running at high speeds near the shore as opposed to in the middle of the lake were still a problem.

The Pend Oreille County Emergency Management Department has made sand bags available to those in need at the District 3 road shop next to the transfer station on Deer Valley Road.

This is to protect infrastructure and buildings from floodwater.

County commissioners are also considering a wake ban on Bead Lake due to the amount of sediment in the lake, as it is also the surrounding community’s drinking water supply. Shoreline debris has washed into the lake causing additional risk to boaters.

Those interested in giving public input can email the commissioners at commissionersoffice@pendoreille. org, call 509-447-4119, or attend commissioners’ meetings at the Courthouse located at 625 W. Fourth St., in Newport.

The board meets every Monday and Tuesday. Meetings are open to the public and the public comment period is at 4 p.m. Meeting agendas can be viewed at www.pendoreilleco.org/yourgovernment/commissioners.

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If you answered “YES” to one or more of these questions, call “The Water Professionals” at Fogle Pump & Supply!

We’re the water problem solvers!

Q&A with Pend Oreille Master Gardeners Editor’s note: This is the first in a series in which Pend Oreille County Master Gardeners answer questions about gardening in the short Pend Oreille County season. There is contact information at the end of the column.

Question: Can I grow watermelons in Pend Oreille County?

Answer: Watermelons originated in tropical Africa.

Lots of heat and light are required to produce good quality melons. If you are willing to experiment, here are some suggestions.

Start with a variety designed for a short summer season with cool nights such as Blacktail Mountain watermelon. Start the seeds indoors about three to four weeks before our last spring frost.

Using a heat mat under your pots with a temperature of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit will speed germination. Set the plants out in your garden after the last frost and apply a complete fertilizer and a shovelful of compost. Consider covering your soil with black plastic mulch and placing floating row cover over the plants to protect them from early cold snaps.

Keep the soil evenly moist, reducing the amount of water as the season progresses.

Remove the row cover before flowers appear. To be sure the fruit is ripe, check the tendril on the vine that is closest to the fruit. It should be brown and dry.

See GARDEN, 10

PAGE 6

May Lake Life

Lake Life photo|Caneel Johnson

This dock is back in place now, but it had to be towed back after it floated to the middle of Sacheen Lake. Getting docks anchored is one of the challenges unique to lake dwellers.

Time to spring clean

By Caneel Johnson Special to Lake life

SACHEEN LAKE – It is springtime and that means spring cleaning. Everyone is getting rid of the winter clutter, and preparing their yards for the summer season. Those living on the lake have extra responsibilities.

“Life on the lake is a challenge,” says Sacheen Lake resident Dyana James, “but it is well worth it.”

James has a few added chores on her list this year.

The chains on her dock rusted out during the winter.

When the ice thawed, her dock floated out to the middle of the lake. “I had to get my neighbor to go out, and tow it in with his row boat,” says James. It is temporarily tied to the shore by a marine rope and a dog chain. “Now I have to purchase new chains, and ask my other May Lake Life

neighbor to get his wetsuit out, and attach them to the bottom of the lake.”

That is not the only maintenance that people on the lake have to deal with.

“The water was so high I could not get to the door of my pump house until last week,” says James. The heavy rain and excess run off brought the lake waters up higher than usual. The front of James’ pump house was under water until May 10. Her friend Fred Rossman was there brainstorming ideas on how to fix it and prevent the issue next season.

“I think your best bet is to build up the foundation. It needs to be done correctly and permanently,” says Rossman. Not only was her pump house under water, it is also falling into the lake.

“The shoreline is constantly eroding,” says James. “The

no wake restrictions the (county) has implemented should help.”

James works for the Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Control Board. “Yellow Flag Iris are noxious and invasive, but I don’t want to remove them. It is the only thing stopping my shoreline from eroding away. Still, I must do my due diligence and clear it out of here,” says James. “I recently found out I can plant native spirea species to keep down the erosion. That will be my first project this spring.”

Despite the extra work, James has noticed more people deciding to become year-round residents. She offers some advice.

“A generator is a must because the power goes out a lot, but the birds sing a symphony for me every morning.

You can’t beat that,” she says.

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By Caneel Johnson

Passion for animals leads to business

special to lake life

DIAMOND LAKE – Janet Reed has dedicated her life to the care and rehabilitation of dogs in need.

“I have always loved animals, but especially dogs.

I have a true connection to them,” she says. Reed got her first dog at 9 years old. It was a beagle. “It went everywhere with me. It was my constant companion.”

She primarily rescues shepherds.

“I just understand them,” says Reed, who has turned her love of dogs into a business.

She and her husband Rick own and operate Lucky Us Ranch, located just off Scotia Road, south of Newport.

Raider, her German shepherd, was abandoned by eight different owners before Reed took him in.

It wasn’t the dog’s fault; it didn’t work out with the eight people, she says. Many people get dogs based on what appeals to them, but usually give little consideration to the needs of the breed. Then they can’t take care of them and have to find new homes for the animals.

Shepherds fall victim to this all too often, Reed says, because they are intelligent, energetic dogs that require a lot of stimulation.

“There are two types of intellect in dogs,” she says.

“Breed intelligence, which are the skills that are particular to each breed, like herding or retrieving. The other intelligence is the ability to be trained.”

Shepherds have both. But PAGE 8

Lake Life photo|Caneel Johnson

Grooming is one of the services offered by Lucky Us Ranch. Here Lucky Us Ranch groomer Clara Hall vacuums a client.

they need more than just running around. They are taskoriented animals and need to work, she says. After giving Raider some work, he became far better behaved.

“No one wanted Raider because he was so skinny and hyper,” Reed says. “He is still skinny, but now everyone wants him because he is so sweet.”

What sets Reed apart from other trainers is her focus on socialization, both with rehabilitation and normal training. Dogs that have been neglected, abused, or aban-

doned have a lot of fear. This is what causes dysfunction, she says. She spends hours going to town, and exposing the dogs to everything she can think of to take away the dog’s fear. By exposing them to different situations she is able to begin the healing and training process.

One thing she doesn’t do is punish her animals unless absolutely necessary for the dog.

“Many trainers use pain to train, but then the dogs will just stop working,” Reed says.

She does not believe in this type of system. She uses the reward or marker system instead

of the punishment system. She uses a marker word like the dog’s name or “good” when the dog performs correctly. Treats or toys can also be used. She believes this makes for a happier dog.

“If the dog is happy it will never stop performing,” said Reed.

Reed was the narcotics K-9 handler in the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office in 2006, which is where she learned to train for scent work.

She and Rick started Luck Us Ranch in 1992.

Sherlock has passed away,

but he will always be a part of her family, Reed says. The newest member is Holmes the retrieving chocolate Lab. Together they are perfecting their retrieval skills.

Reed also gets additional training weekly from another professional trainer.

In addition to training, Lucky Us Ranch also boards dogs.

The ranch was one of eight kennels that received “Best Dog Boarders” honors by the Expertise, a best of service website, this year.

Boarding costs $25 a day for May Lake Life

Nonprofit offers low cost spay, neutering NEWPORT – Angel Paws of Pend Oreille is a nonprofit organization that works with the community to promote responsible pet ownership. Their goal is to educate and assist people in caring for their pets, including providing low-cost spay and neutering.

“We will help any animal with anything to ensure happy and healthy pets,” says volunteer Janet Reed.

Donations are used to provide discounted services for your pet from participating veterinarians in the area. They assist with spay, neutering, vaccinations and feeding. Larger animals like horses or cows are not exempt either. They have also assisted the elderly with pet food.

“All the proceeds from the adoptions of my rescue dogs go to Angle Paws,” said Reed, one of the 25 members. “Í work with some amazing people,” says Reed.

There are many ways to get involved. Fundraisers coming up this year include a golf tournament, motorcycle run, and pet pictures with Santa. “We have had people bring all types of animals. Every year, one person brings their chicken. It is so cute we all wait for it. We have even had people bring their horses to see Santa,” says Reed. The prize for the motorcycle run, set for Saturday, June 24, is a custom engraved Glock .45 from Lone Wolf in Priest River. “We are very excited to award this amazing prize,” says Reed.

Newport High School is also getting involved. Travis Stott, the woodshop teacher, has made donation boxes in the shape of dog houses, and the art class painted them.

If you need services, would like to volunteer, or for more information on events or the location of the donation boxes visit the Angel Paws Facebook page or contact Reed 509-447-3541.

Lake Life photo|Caneel Johnson

Janet Reed and Holmes, the retrieving chocolate Lab.

the first dog and $12.50 a day for each additional dog.

In addition to training and boarding, Reed will also groom and clip nails. Grooming starts at $28 and nails May Lake Life

are $10, and are available by appointment. One-on-one courses in basic training, scent work, and retrieving are $25 per session.

Lucky Us Ranch is located

just off of Scotia Road south of Newport.

For more information visit the website at www.luckyusranch.com or call her at 509447-3541.

Friendly, Professional and #1 300 S. Washington • Newport Licensed in Washington & Idaho (509) 447-2421 • (800) 788-3084 www.cbnorth.com PAGE 9

GARDEN From Page 6

This summer the Pend Oreille County Master Gardeners are trying out these procedures in our demonstration garden located behind the WSU Extension office on Garden Avenue in Newport.

You are invited to check on our progress.

Source: Michigan State University Extension, “How to Grow Melons”, Migarden.msu. edu

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www.copperbayconstruction.com NOW SERVING THE PEND OREILLE VALLEY PAGE 10

Question: What insect causes the gall on lodgepole pines?

In addition to insects, plant galls may be caused by a variety of parasites including mites, bacteria and fungi. The round swellings found on the branches and trunks of lodgepole and ponderosa pines are caused by Western gall rust, a fungus.

The orange spores are carried by the wind for many miles.

Most of the lodgepole pines in the Pacific Northwest are infected and eradication is not possible. When the trees are infected, stems are malformed and can break. If the gall is located on the trunk of the tree, the tree may die.

If you have a tree with many galls, removing the entire tree will reduce infection of the surrounding trees. If the tree has a few infected branches, removing the branches will increase the vitality of the tree.

Since the rust requires a living tree to survive, you do not need to dispose of the trees or branches after cutting.

Sources: “Western Gall Rust” in Forest Health Notes issued

by Washington State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture; “Western Gall Rust Management” in Insect and Disease Management Series, 2011, USDA Forest Service See GARDEN, 16 May Lake Life

Other nasty aquatic invaders to keep out of lakes: quagga, zebra mussels

Paper Recycling Do’s and Don’ts Please no cardboard in paper bin!!

YES! Pend Oreille does accept: • Loose newspaper, no strings or plastic • Magazines, but not in plastic wrapping • White office paper only • Window & non-window white envelopes • Loose, white shredded paper and junk mail

By Sharon Sorby Pend Oreille County Weed Board

Quagga and zebra mussels are something we never want to see infesting the beautiful waters of Pend Oreille County.

Fortunately there are many state and federal agencies as well as non-government volunteer groups throughout the west working hard to keep them out. Preventing them from entering our waters is the only hope as ridding the water of their scourge once they’re established is next to impossible.

These foreign mussels will attach to any solid surface in the water, fouling propellers, boat hulls, dams, irrigation and potable water intakes and pipes, rocks and other habitat structures.

Mussels are filter feeders that devour the bottom of the food chain, leaving little food source for growing fish, resulting in low fish stocks and the fish being stunted.

When mussel populations increase to a large size, as they die-off, the putrid stench wafts for close to a mile. The shells remaining after the mussels die are razor sharp and pose

NOT Recyclable:

• No brown paper bags • No telephone books • No colored paper • No manila clasp envelopes • No paper inside plastic bags

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These mussels are attached to a substrate tester.

a hazard to children, pets and beachcombers.

Substrate structures are usually a foot of plastic pipe with holes drilled in them and sometimes fine-mesh netting is wadded inside. They are deployed on a length of rope off a dock or other fixed structure.

The mussels will attach to this item so it is used as an early detection monitor.

Currently, the only known ones in Pend Oreille County have been deployed in Dia-

mond Lake. If you are interested in deploying substrate structures in your lake, the Boy Scouts have made them for Diamond Lake and may be willing to make them for your lake as well.

Monitoring for early detection of mussel colonies can help in preventing an infestation from becoming established. There are resources from the state to help eradicate the mussels should they be detected early.

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May Lake Life

PAGE 11

Judgment nears in Moon Creek lawsuit

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NEWPORT – An exasperated Pend Oreille County Superior Court judge has dismissed most of the claims filed in a lawsuit filed by aggrieved landowners over unwanted weed spraying and beaver dam destruction and killing on Diamond Lake.

The Friends of Moon Creek are made up of a group of property owners west of Diamond Lake. Three people involved in the lawsuit have died since the cases were filed in U.S. District Court and Pend Oreille County Superior Court against the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, the Pend Oreille County Weed Board and the state of Washington and Sharon Sorby of the county Weed Board.

Superior Court Judge Jessica Reeves said in a March 16 summary judgment hearing that the case was complicated and convoluted, with many parties and claims. She said she had been pushed to the “absolute brink of her capabilities” reading and understanding the voluminous files. “ … after spending weeks of my spare time reading this file and all the materials provided along with desk books and case law, I’ve about reached max capacity,” she said. “And this is a very, very convoluted case. I mean right down to the question of, is it a ditch or a creek or what is it?”

She dismissed most of the claims of the Friends of Moon Creek in partially granting and partially denying a summary judgment, citing no proof of damages. She said only claimant’s opinions had

been offered to show damages in claims of outrage, trespass, takings and loss of wildlife.

Friends of Moon Creek attorney Mark Wilson argued that their testimony was allowed and it was up to a jury to weigh its value.

Reeves told him that a fact at summary judgment was a “reality rather than a supposition or opinion.”

“Reality matters,” Reeves said after some back and forth about the legal reasoning for using plaintiff’s testimony about damages as proof. “You have to have more than an opinion, a bare assertion.”

Wilson didn’t give up, asserting that the testimony was relevant. Reeves cut him off.

“I don’t expect you to agree with me,” she said. “We’re going to be here until 6 if every sentence I say you tell me I’m wrong. I get it.

You disagree. But let me get through it.”

While she granted a summary motion March 16 that dismissed as a matter of law most of the claims, she denied the defendant’s claim that the Moon Creek drainage ditch was a public ditch.

She said there is no disagreement as to whether the ditch was man made or not – it was, she said. The issue was who was to maintain it.

“Was it the private owners who own to the center of the drainage ditch?” she said at the March hearing. Is it the county, which is responsible for surface water running into Diamond Lake? Is it the county or the landowners who are responsible for the weeds that impede the flow of water out of Diamond Lake?

“It’s not clear what you have and who is responsible for it,” she said. “And I don’t think it is appropriate to say on summary judgment that there is no genuine issue of material fact.”

She said there may well be a public easement but it wasn’t clear.

“And if it’s not clear, it’s ambiguous,” she said. “If there’s more than one possibility, I’m going to deny the summary judgment on that part.”

Reeves did find there was no proof offered to support a number of the claims.

She dismissed damage claims by the Joe Struthers estate because his land wasn’t sprayed, he was upstream of the spraying.

Reeves found damages alleged by Douglas Anderson for losses to his chemical free tree farm unproved. She found the farm had never been certified organic and that he hadn’t documented the value of lost trees beyond his estimation of their value.

Reeves said it was unfortunate the DLIA and Cheryl Ballentine couldn’t have worked out a settlement. She describes Ballentine as “a force to be reckoned with.” “… if they had been able to work on the same team, they could probably have resolved the problems,” Reeves said.

“But that didn’t happen.”

Reeves ruled that the Ballentines hadn’t submitted evidence to support a claim of emotional distress and ruled that it wasn’t outrageous to spray for noxious weeds. She said the fact that some of the plaintiffs had died wasn’t proof of emotional distress and denied their claims.

The trial is still on in federal court.

May Lake Life

FIND YOUR PERFECT COLOR.

26 Courtesy photo|Bret Britz

A young man uses the WeedRay to pull out some weeds at Sacheen Lake and drops them on the dock.

Nuisance lake weeds spark a big idea

SACHEEN LAKE – Sacheen Lake home owner Bret Britz saw a need and came up with an innovative solution.

Britz, a mechanical engineer, spent several summers trying to rid his dock and lakefront of the unsightly prop-tangling weeds that plague many waterfront homeowners. He purchased a shed full of weed removal tools that claimed to be the latest and greatest.

What he ended up with was a slimmer wallet and a bunch of tools that just didn’t do the job they claimed to do.

He set to work designing and building his own lake weed rake. What he discovered was something so easy and fun to use that one local resident proclaimed, “It does an hours’ worth of work in 10 minutes!”

The design of the weed removal tool allows it to easily glide across the top of the water and drop down exactly where you want it to. Since the flexible blades bow slightly May Lake Life

when it’s gliding across the water, it resembles a Manta Ray. The WeedRay was born.

Partnering with his lifelong friend Bryan Garrett, the product was launched at the Spokane Boat Show in January of 2017. In the midst of a snowstorm and with all the area lakes frozen over, the expectation to sell any was low, but they thought it would be a great opportunity to show it off and get the word out. What they found was a very enthusiastic public. They ended up selling almost half of their inventory of 50 WeedRays. The WeedRays sell for $199.

The people who bought The WeedRay, were waterfront homeowners who had spent a small fortune on inferior products that just didn’t do the job. The WeedRay, being so different from other weed removal rakes and completely customizable right out of the box, was an immediate head

turner. A video playing at the booth showed potential buyers just what the WeedRay could do. It easily adjusts for any condition, long weeds, short weeds, broadleaf, etc.

A series of snap together aluminum poles allows the user to easily make the tool as long as they want for those hard to reach areas. Gone are the days of picking the weeds out of a rake. The weeds that are brought to the surface clinging to the WeedRay fall easily to the dock or shoreline by simply turning the handle one half turn in each direction.

The user’s hands stay clear and clean. When done, the rake folds up smaller than a garden rake and stores safely away. While the WeedRay’s are not yet available in stores, they are selling them on their website www.weedray.com. To see the WeedRay in action for yourself, go to the website and click on “videos” at the top of the page.

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Commissioners say ‘yes’ to no wake

By Karen Skoog, chairwoman; Mike Manus, commissioner; Steve Kiss, commissioner Pend Oreille County

Precipitation, saturated soils, high water tables and runoff have caused landslides, erosion and high water levels in lakes, rivers and creeks. We are very sympathetic to the problems our neighbors are experiencing. Impacts from this wet year have been varied. High surface water has caused bank erosion and damage to infrastructure like retaining walls. A high-water table has caused wet basements and land movement that has put homes in harm’s way.

The Board of County Commissioners has reviewed the possibility of wake restrictions on various lakes in Pend Oreille County. Each lake has its own specific set of circumstances to consider; from the size and use of the lake to historic lake levels, drainage issues, wind driven waves, winter impacts and social tolerance to both wakes and a ban on wakes.

Due to the small size of Sacheen Lake, the highest lake levels in almost a decade, and a unified request from the lake association, the board has implemented a temporary wake restriction.

Diamond Lake is currently slightly below the levels experienced during the

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most recent wake restriction in 2012. Reports we are receiving show the level is dropping slowly. Because Diamond Lake is larger and has areas where wakes would not have as much impact on improved property and because there is less acceptance of a wake ban by residents, the board has taken a middle-of-the-road approach. We will provide signs to remind people of the Negligent Operation portion of the current County Boating Safety Ordinance which is available in full on the County Commissioners’ webpage. We urge the public toward careful and prudent boating operations under the existing conditions to reduce the effects of vessel wakes on private property. Operators with boats designed to produce a large wake should be considerate of others and aware of potential damage done by large wakes.

The board is reviewing Bead Lake for a wake ban as well. Of concern is the amount of sediment in the lake as it is also the community drinking water supply.

Shoreline debris has washed into the lake causing additional risk to boaters.

Shoreline erosion is a concern. Our Community Development Department stands ready to give personalized and site-specific assistance for people looking for ways to protect their shoreline with a project. We have seen some projects completed since the last high water event that have been successful in preventing further erosion.

May Lake Life

Summer outlook appears normal

By Bob Lutz Climatologist

SACHEEN LAKE – Many here in Pend Oreille County this spring were saying enough already with the rain! I think it is safe to say that we have all had our fill of what it feels like to live in the coastal areas of Washington state, with more rain of late than a Brazilian tropical rain forest.

Some say that this soggy mess will continue through the upcoming summer, but our resident squirrel says not so fast. In fact, I have not seen any unusual squirrel behavior at all this year, and he has certainly not built any arks with dried pinecone seeds. As such, I think it is safe to say that a normal summer is probably in the cards.

Now of course, I do have some scientific data to back up the beasts’ prognostication. First, temperatures in the equatorial Pacific (a huge factor in our Northwest weather patterns) have leveled out to near neutral readings, and that trend is expected to continue through mid summer. This in

combination with the seasonal shift in the resident Pacific high pressure ridge should give us a fairly normal summer, very similar to last year.

The sunny, warm patterns will at times be interrupted by some brief cool-downs and showers, but overall, much BOB LUTZ of the summer should remain warm and dry.

Now there are some forecasters out there that are hinting at a very hot, dry summer. That is certainly a possibility, but that forecast is hinged on the development of a warming El Nino pattern in the equatorial Pacific. Being that we just experienced an El Nino in the 2015/16 winter season, I don’t think there will be enough warm water stacked up by the trade winds to produce a strong El Nino event. As such, any warming in that region would be on the weaker side, but any degree of warming could certainly favor a warm and drier forecast for the latter half of summer.

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The scary fact is, that Punxsutawney Phil (the famous east coast groundhog) has a better accuracy rate than the models do this far out in the prediction of an El Nino/La Nina cycle, with only around a 50 percent chance of hitting their mark. Of course, this accuracy percentage will improve as the season progresses, and if I see any changes through the summer, I’ll be sure to throw in an update in my future articles.

In the meantime, expect a rather normal summer which means that for all those insects that survived the brutal winter season, it will continue to be party time, so better stock up on the pesticides … Just saying!

And speaking of pests, coming up in the next edition of Weather Babble, I’ll let you know why all the wet weather of the past few months could translate into some really bad news for our pesky bark beetle population!

Bob Lutz is a climatologist living near Sacheen Lake.

You can follow him online at www.climatehawk.org.

May Lake Life

months, when grilling fires most often occur.

According to NFPA’s latest “Home Grill Fires” report, three out of five households own a gas grill, which means a lot of great food and family times. But, it also means there’s a notable risk of home fires. From 2009 – 2013, an

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges grillers to be particularly mindful of cooking safety in the spring and summer

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annual average of 8,900 home fires involved grills, hibachis or barbecues, and almost half of all grilling injuries involved thermal burns. Although many (nearly half) of grillers do so year-round, grilling fires peak in July, followed by May, See fires, 16

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While gas grills cause more home fires than charcoal grills, NFPA reminds everyone that all types of grills pose a risk for fires and burn injuries. According to the report, over one-quarter (27Â percent) of home grill fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch, another 27Â percent started in a courtyard, terrace or patio, and eight percent began in the kitchen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As friends and families get ready for the grilling season, make sure the grill is working properly, and review safety tips,â&#x20AC;? said Lor-

raine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The leading causes of home grilling fires are failing to properly clean the grill or having a flammable object too close to the grill.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also important to check the grill for damage before using it for the first time each year, and then to check it regularly.â&#x20AC;?

NFPA suggests the following tips for grilling: Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.

The grill should be placed away the home or deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Children and pets should be at least three feet away from the grill area.

Keep the grill clean by removing grease and fat buildup from the grates and trays below.

Never leave a lit grill unattended.

For additional information and resources including tips for outdoor cooking with portable grills, visit www. nfpa.org/grilling or download NFPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety tip sheet on grilling for easy access. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA pressroom.

GARDEN | Lichens thrive in Northwest

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Question: What is this orange growth on the bark of my apple trees and blueberry bushes?

Lichens (say LIKE-enz) thrive in the Pacific Northwest, attaching themselves to a variety of solid surfaces and drawing nutrients from the air, rain or fog.

They will not harm your trees or bushes. Lichen is actually two plant forms (fungi and algae) working together that simply use trees as supports, places to call home while they get on with their lives.

There are more than a thousand different kinds of lichens that make their homes in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska, so ridding your apple tree of them would be a difficult task. The older

your tree grows, the greater the chance that lichens will develop on its surfaces.

You may be able to discourage them by pruning to open the canopy of your tree to allow more sunlight and air inside (lichens prefer shade). It is often said of lichens that they are fungi who have discovered agriculture.

Without lichens, much of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crust today would be lifeless and devoid of vegetation, because they take many forms and grow on a wide variety of surfaces, in areas where conditions are so severe that other plants cannot gain a foothold.

Lichens do more than begin the process of soil production, though.

They are considered an indicator of pollution and will die off when subjected to large amounts of airborne pollution. Lichens are so

sensitive in this regard, scientists test them to measure pollution levels in an area.

The plants are seldom seen in large cities with dense populations and high levels of air pollution, so if you find lichens on your property, you can truly breathe easier.

Source: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gardening.wsu. edu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Skagit Countyâ&#x20AC;?

E-mail your gardening, plant and insect ID and other questions to your Pend Oreille County Master Gardeners at pomastergardeners@outlook.com or call the WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension Office at 509-4472401.

Plant clinic hours are every Thursday 4:30-8 p.m., at the Extension Office at 227 S. Garden Ave., Newport, where Master Gardeners are available to discuss gardening and landscaping issues with homeowners.

May Lake Life