Lake Life - August

Volume 1, Issue 5

Turkeys on the move Page 4

August 2012

Produced by The Miner Newspapers

Weed spraying Page 11

Sacheen sewer improvements Page 9

P U B L I S H E R ’S N O T E H & S Certified Marine Service Brent Harnack Outboards Sterndrives Factory Trained All Makes • All Models

Last Lake Life until next year… Hope you enjoyed it As the nights get colder and days shorter, everyone starts scrambling to squeeze the last fun out of summer. We hope our readers have found Lake Life to be an important part of their summer fun.

From what we have been told, they have enjoyed this new publication. Lake Life will be back next spring, just as a new summer season at Diamond and Sacheen lakes begins. For those of you lucky enough to stay in the area for winter we hope you enjoy those beautiful winter days that are just around the corner.

If you want to keep up with what is going on until the next Lake Life read The Newport Miner each week. If you leave the area, we mail them any place in the world and give you free access to our Miner Online version 24/7. We even send Facebook alerts and have a version for your Smartphone.

We debated long and hard about the final cover for Lake Life. At first we were thinking of going out with a bang: wake boarding, personnel watercrafts and catamaran sail boats – a violent sea of water sports ending like the grand finale of a fireworks show. But we selected our favorite Diamond Lake photo of the summer and one that probably was closer to the real important part of lake life. It was a pregnant moose apparently swimming for some relief during a hot summer day. Not concerned with no-wake zones, milfoil, elections or human drama – just cool clear water.

-Fred Willenbrock Publisher

(509) 489-0093 • N. 6622 Perry, Spokane

PRIME RIB ROASTS

PRE-COOKED OR FRESH SPECIALTY CUT STEAK SMOKED TURKEYS • Smokehouse Ribs - Beef & Pork • Jerky • Summer Sausage • Sausage • Cheeses & Mustard • Block And Party Ice

• Cooking Classes • Fresh Baked Bread & Cookies • Great Kitchenware & Wines!

MASON’S

MON-SAT 10-5:30 SUN 11-4

MEAT PACKING COMPANY

1871 Green Rd. • Diamond Lake Area • Newport

(509) 447-4600 211 S. WASHINGTON NEWPORT

(509) 447-3788

ing r e t a c Summer fresh

LAKE LIFE is published monthly in April, May, August, July and August as a supplement to The Newport Miner and Gem State Miner, P.O. Box 349, Newport, WA 99156.

Editorial and advertising offices are located at 421 S. Spokane, Newport.

TM

Crowd Pleasers

Endorsed by:

$300 Breakfast Combo $500 Featured footlong monthly 509-447-3347

2 Lake Life | August 2012

hwy 2 newport

Published: August 2012 Publisher: Fred Willenbrock Writers & editors: Michelle Nedved, Janelle Atyeo and Don Gronning Design: Michelle Nedved Advertising: Susan Willenbrock, Lindsay Guscott, Cindy Boober and Amy Robinson

State Representative Shelly Short - 7th District State Representative Matt Shea - Spokane Valley State Representative David Taylor - Yakima State Representative Cary Condotta - Wenatchee Outstanding Rating CAPR Home Builders Assoc.

Paid for by Committee to Elect Karen Skoog Cecily Wright, Treasurer

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 the mail outside Pend Oreille County contact The Miner at 509-447-2433.

Beaver dam access still an issue DIAMOND LAKE – The help relieve high water at Diamond Lake, the improvement association (DLIA) is hoping to install tubes to get water flowing through beaver dams in the lake’s outlet channel. Gaining access to those dams remains an issue. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) constructed a fish management structure in the late 1950s on the outlet channel that leads to Moon Creek. To do so, they had agreements with at least three landowners that allowed access to do construction and maintenance of the facility, including dredging of the stream. DLIA asked to use those agreements to access the creek in order to install beaver tubes and dredge the channel.

WDFW declined the request for three main reasons. Mark Wachtel of WDFW told DLIA president

Geri Guinn in an Aug. 13 email that WDFW is allowed access for fish management only.

“It would be a violation of these agreements to access the private property for any other reason, such as lowering the lake level,” he wrote.

He added that the department has no current needs to manage fish there. It has been at least 20 years since WDFW has utilized the agreements, he said. Currently Diamond Lake is managed as a mixed species fishery. That means that the lake supports a mix of warm-water game fish and stocked trout, and there is no plan to change this strategy in the near future.

He also pointed out that the documents outline an agreement with landowners, not an easement.

WDFW can’t use the agreements to grant access to other individuals or groups.

Workshop will focus on high water at Diamond Lake DIAMOND LAKE – The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is hosting a workshop Thursday, Aug. 30 to discuss high water issues.

Engineering geologist Steven Neugebauer, who spoke recently at a meeting of the local property rights group, will speak.

Neugebauer has been the project leader on many hydro-

logic, ecological, and environmental projects and has also conducted ground water studies. Neugebauer’s company, SNR, has been conducting research on Diamond Lake, including the history of the area based on historic USGS topographic maps, historic air photographs, and other Continued on page 15

USK GRILL

Just past The Crossroads at Hwy 20 & 211 in beautiful Downtown Usk, WA - 509.445.1262

Fall bike tour comes through area NEWPORT – The 12th annual Great Northwest Fall Bike Tour will have cyclists embarking from Newport City Park Sunday, Sept. 2.

Riders will take a loop route of 15, 30, 50 or 85 miles, heading toward the Scotia Valley.

Some routes continue on to Diamond Lake, Sacheen and past Cusick for the longest ride.

The Newport/Priest River Rotary Club organizes the ride and provides support along the route and a meal in the park at

the finish.

Check-in on race day starts at 7 a.m. at the park. The 85-mile riders will start at 8 a.m. with all others taking off at 9 a.m.

Registration is open through Active.com, or download the form at the event website, gnwft.homestead.com. The cost is $45 for the ride and a T-shirt, $35 for the no shirt option, or $60 for a family of four and one T-shirt. Proceeds support Rotary projects.

There will be a raffle for a

bike tune up from Sandpoint Sports. Riders can include money for tickets when they register or purchase them the morning of the race for $1 each. The winner must be present to win. The drawing will take place at the end of the ride.

For more information, contact Nadine Parker at 208-5975478, ubigmoose@frontier. com or Terri Ivie at 208-4482431, tivie@priestrivertimes. com.

Upgrades close Diamond Lake boat launch after Labor Day DIAMOND LAKE – Upgrades to the Diamond Lake Boat Launch are underway but the facility operated by Washington Department of Fish and Game will close for one to two weeks after Labor Day to finish work.

Madonna Luers of WDFW said the project will most likely be completed this season and some work can be done while the launch is operational. Work will also depend on weather.

The double ramp is scheduled to be replaced, and an associated boarding dock will be installed. The two new ramps will be 12 feet wide and 52 feet long. The dock will be six-feet, three-inches wide by 60 feet long and located between the two ramps. A concrete abutment and additional ADA parking stalls will be installed.

There will be a ditch clean up and re-grading as well as asphalt repair and paving. An eight-foot by 12-foot dissipater constructed of light, loose riprap will be installed at the west

edge of the parking lot.

WDFW plans to provide ad-

equate public notice of closure periods during construction.

“Rock-Candy Holidays” Vacation Rental & Lake Cruises Friends & Family from “Far-A-Way” We Can Help With A Place To Stay

Why eatt iin a bbar Wh when you can drink in a restaurant?

Sun. - Tue. 6am - 3pm Wed. - Sat. 6am - 9pm Bar Open Late on weekends

TOP PRICES PAID FOR

H CASARD W RE

• ALUMINUM A S • STAINLESS STEEL B C L • BRASS • COPPER • LEAD

ACTION Recycling/ Phoenix Metals, Inc. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

E. 911 Marietta (East of Hamilton), Spokane • (509) 483-4094

Caring for Family and Friends Since 1910

Owners: Keith & Cindy Campbell with children Isaiah, Miranda & Carly

For Assistance in:

On the Water at Diamond Lake

Give Us A Call

(509) 590-6074 www.rockcandyholidays.com

• Pre-Planning & Pre-Payment Plans • Funerals • Monuments Cremations (Preformed Locally)

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home & Crematory Locally Owned & Operated

(208) 448-1012 118 Wisconsin Street • Priest River

(509) 447-3118 423 W. 2nd Street • Newport August 2012 | Lake Life 3

Theft victim warns neighbors to mark their boats DIAMOND LAKE – Two 12-foot Pelican sit-on-top kayaks were stolen off Deb Morris’ beach on Diamond Lake Aug. 3, and she’s warning her neighbors to mark their property and keep track of serial numbers.

“The thieves took my canoe paddles to paddle the kayaks to the public launch where they were removed

from Diamond Lake,” Morris said. “The attendant remembered the kayaks because of the canoe paddles. The kayaks are yellow on the decks and white on the sides and bottoms.”

As of Friday, Aug. 24, the kayaks had not been retrieved.

“My advice to anybody is Continued on page 13

Fuel & Propane Delivery to All of Pend Oreille County

il

Rock Your “ W l

or ld”

We W

Hwy 2 - Oldtown, ID H 208-437-3513

Concrete Aggregate Excavation

Our Mud’s For You

Sherman man Rock & Co Concrete (509) 447-4214 • Hwy 20 • Newport

MINER PHOTO|FRED WILLENBROCK

Turkeys walking south for winter?

These turkeys were heading down Elu Beach Road near Diamond Lake for unknown destinations. Fall hunting seasons are just around the corner. These survived the Spring hunt.

Weed management operates under two permits NEWPORT – Treatment of noxious weeds in Pend Oreille County is conducted under two different permits: the Aquatic Plants and Algae Management permit and the Noxious Weed permit. Weed director Sharon Sorby explained how the two permits work.

The Aquatic Plants and Algae Management is designed specifically for in-water treatments. The county weed board holds this permit for the water bodies in the county – all of the lakes and river frontages with an herbicide treatment schedule operate under this permit.

For the lakes treated with grant funding, the weed board hires the applicator. For those groups treating from self-generated funds, they hire the applicator. This permit

House Watcher Assisted Living Apartments and Memory Care Suites • Private, spacious studio, 1 bdrm & 2 bdrm apartments • All utilities and basic cable included • Pets welcomed • Transportation to/from medical appointments/activities • 3 home cooked meals per day and snacks • Housekeeping and laundry services 510 S. Olive Avenue • Around-the-clock continuous personal care assistance • Medication management/administration 208-265-3557 Ask for • Individualized care plan by licensed nurse Lindsay Young, • Spacious, secured and home-like Memory Care Community

Res. Serv. Coordinator or

Wendy Traffie, Administrator www.luther-park.org

an

4 Lake Life | August 2012

managed community

has a hefty fee and this year the weed board is invoicing the lakes and the applicator who treats on the river $100 each to operate under it, Sorby said. Diamond Lake has always been treated under the weed board’s permit to do its Eurasian watermilfoil treatments.

The Noxious Weed permit is designed specifically for treating noxious weeds growing along the shoreline of water bodies. The Washington State Department of Agriculture holds this permit and allows weed boards and other entities to operate under it as a limited agent without a fee.

“We can further allow specific applicators to operate under our limited agent status (we

Snowbirds • Vacationers Holiday & Seasonal Residents

• We will check your house while you’re away • We will update you with regular reports • In case something needs fixing we are licensed and bonded as general contractors (GREENCC9250N) • Prior law enforcement experience 509-447-2007 • 509-220-3467

Continued on page 13

Sewer system is on its way

BY SHEILA PEARMAN SACHEEN LAKE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT

From the diagnostic study that was performed in 1990, five recommendations were made to assist in improving the water quality at Sacheen Lake: • Develop best management practices • Reduce non-point source pollution • Control lake level • Lower phosphorus loading by eradication of Milfoil • Install a sewer system Of these five things, the one that has yet to be completed is installation of a sewer system … until now. With approval of nearly 70 percent of the property owners, lake residents have agreed to a phase 1 project, known as Local Improvement District No. 3, that focuses on providing sewer service to the high density areas and shoreline lots of Sacheen Lake. The resolution forming LID No. 3 was signed by the board Sept.

12, 2011.

In December 2011, a loan contract for this project was signed with the Public Works Trust

Fund as approved by the State Legislature. This loan package carries an interest rate of 2 percent with incentives for early completion that could reduce the interest rate to 1.5 percent.

On July 20, the district completed the purchase of 160 acres of land on Rocky Gorge Road from Stimson Lumber where the treatment plant will be located. The plant will include treatment cells as well as storage lagoons.

James A. Sewell Engineering is designing the system, which will use grinder pumps at each residence and a pressurized line system to pump all waste to large lagoons where it will be treated and then spray irrigated to the trees of the juvenile forest on the Rocky Gorge property. This will remove the unwanted nutrients from the lake and will instead provide them to enhance the growth of the forest.

Through the end of this year the engineers will complete the design work including site visits to each individual property. Bid packages should go out at the beginning of 2013 with construction to begin in the spring of 2013. We look forward to completing the project by the end of 2014 and taking advantage of the reduced interest rate.

Customers could get hooked to fiber this fall NEWPORT – With the grant period ending in the spring of 2013, the Pend Oreille Public Utility District announced that it needs to hear from anyone by the end of September that wants to get hooked up to the fiber system for free.

After that, because of the time it takes to design the drops to the homes and with potential winter construction delays

ahead, the contractors might not be able to get to them before the end of the grant period, according to Joe Onley, Community Network System manager for the PUD. The PUD board agreed to make the announcement at its last meeting with the hopes more homeowners would contact the PUD this

D R O A S K

Continued on page 12

Journeyman Plumber Senior & Vet Discounts

509-671-7855

Wear talks about water level NEWPORT – As the only Pend Oreille County commissioner up for re-election, The Miner asked Diane Wear if she would vote to put another no-wake zone on Sacheen and Diamond lakes next year, if circumstances were the same.

Wear, a resident of Sacheen Lake, has long worked on water issues there and throughout the county.

“After talking with the sheriff and many others, I have suggested an update to the boating ordinance which could include an automatic clause, like the Pend Oreille River has with the Corps (of Engineers),” Wear said. “Let’s not overlook that Bead and other lakes are also involved.

It could be automatic, more effective, easier to enforce, logic based, agreed on, and far less political than it has been these last two exceptionally high water years.

“About six years ago Diamond was ‘low’ and Sacheen ‘higher’ and the thought then was that it was the beavers on both lakes, too,” she said.

Wear said people need to realize that lakes go through a process of natural death, called eutrophication, when they get shallower and more meadow-like, with weeds dying off each year and settling on the bottom, which raises

the level. This has happened at Eloika Lake.

“We were and are our own worst enemy by building so close to the shorelines,” she said.

Wear was a member of the sheriff’s citizen committee that updated the ordinance in 2001. The committee was represented by two members for each of the largest lakes and the river along with marine

deputies.

“It required reasonable, thoughtful study and discussion over about two month’s time,” Wear said.

Wear said she cannot say if or how she would vote until it is determined if an updated ordinance is generated or not.

“I will only cross one bridge at a time and try my best to do it with common sense,” she said.

Lic#KARDOP*051K6 KARDOTS055NB

When you go on vacation... send me on Vacation

LuckyUsRanch Dog Boarding & Grooming

Scotia Road • Newport • 509-447-3541

Did you get your book yet?

This special collectors edition is selling fast. . .only a few left.

$

1830

with tax

5

$ 38

shipped anywhere

THE NEWPORT & GEM STATE MINER NEWSPAPERS

A county is born

le Rough and tumb Pend Oreille

(509) 447-2433

We are proud to be locally owned and operated since July of 2003. We have been protecting Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho for over 9 years.

County weathers Prohibition

Our friendly servicemen have been professionally trained to effectively treat for: Ants, Carpenter Ants, Termites, Bed Bugs, Spiders, Yellow Jackets & Wasps, Mice, Flies, Fleas, Box Elder Bugs, Roaches, Gophers, Voles, Birds, Exclusions, and most other pests.

•Free estimates •All work guaranteed •Member of the Washington Pest Management Association and National Pest Management Association •Use EPA registered products and Green products • licensed and insured.

“What Matters To You Matters To Us.”

509.466.8585 www.primepestcontrol.com THIRD AND WASHINGTON IN NEWPORT, JANUARY 1913

83

August 2012 | Lake Life 5

W E AT H E R B A B B L E

Scrap metal PRICES have not been this HIGH in years. rs rs rs. s..

Copper • Brass • Aluminum Stainless • Aluminum Cans Batteries • Radiators We also recycle Newspaper Steel

PAYING CASH!* *In accordance with WA State Law.

DU-MOR RECYCLING N 6404 Perry • Spokane, WA (509) 489-6482 482 One block north of Francis, 14 blocks east of Division

Elk Septic Pumping • Cleaning

We are the GREEN COMPANY! Cleaning the World,One Tank at a Time.

Approved EPA Disposal Included Reasonable Rates

Locally Owned 16+ Years

Ted 509-292-8599 509-220-5346 .com

ANGELA NEWCOMB Broker Top Producer (509) 671-2088

Serving My Neighbors & Friends 2 2 2

0 0 0

0 9 1 0 1 1

angelanewcomb@johnlscott.com www.johnlscott.com/angelanewcomb

Wed-Fri 11-5:30 Sat - 11-4 and certain festivals

Father & Son Computer Repair (509) 951-3347 28114 N. Newport Hwy Chattaroy, WA Arthur L. Pointer apointer@air-pipe.com 6 Lake Life | August 2012

Global Warming not happening

BY BOB LUTZ CLIMATOLOGIST

SACHEEN LAKE – Now that we are in the lazy dog-days of summer, I thought I would get your blood pressure up a bit by talking about Global Warming. It is a subject of much debate, and one that gets me fired up every time somebody mentions it.

To make a long story short (and no, you’re not Lutz going to get off that easy) the climate information that we’ve gathered since the late 1800s is simply not enough to prove global warming, global cooling, or even global status quo for that matter.

The earth has literally been around for billions of years, and the measly 125 years (or so) worth of weather records that we have established is just a drop in the bucket in the “global” (no pun intended) scheme of things.

The fact is our air is cleaner than it has ever been in modern times thanks in part to government standards all over the world. Furthermore, take a look around you right now and chances are you will see a few trees. Those trees are God’s natural air filters, which take out tons of pollution, both man-made and natural. And speaking of natural, the volcanic activity around the world at the present time is putting out more harmful pollutants than mankind is doing, but Al Gore does not seem to attack them with his line of barn-yard bull spit.

Now, there are indeed subtle changes that are occurring, but I would tend to lean more toward climatic cycles rather than long-term global warming. Climatologists have studied tree rings in the great cedars of northern California for years and have discovered that those “cycles” could range from 10 years all the way up to 500 years. For one extreme of weather, there will be another just the opposite. Take for instance the record heat in the Midwest. As I suspected, it did not take long for the mainstream media to talk global warming. The reason for the heat in the Midwest this season is two-fold. First, there was no winter there thanks to that Arctic Oscillation I talked about earlier this season; hence the atmosphere was already warmer than normal. Second, the waters in the equatorial Pacific are swinging from a cool La Nina, to a warm El Nino cycle and as a result, stagnant high pressure has developed in the central part of the country.

This combination is known to cause bizarre weather. It has happened before, and it will happen again.

Now, what you did not hear much about was the record cold that pounded the Arctic region over this past winter. If you’re a Discovery Channel Deadliest Catch fan like we are, then you saw the record sea ice that was produced by the extreme arctic weather. So on one

extreme, we had the cold in the Arctic, and now the other extreme involves the heat down here in the lower 48. Oh, and while the media continues to spout off on global warming here in the U.S., Johannesburg residents in South Africa were talking about their unusual cold snap and the snowfall that occurred on Aug. 7! Go and talk global warming to those folks, and you’re likely to get a rhino horn (readily available down there) shoved up your yahoo.

Since it’s so hot outside, let’s talk glaciers.

Once again the mainstream media would have you believe that ALL of the world’s glaciers are melting away like the wicked witch of the West on the Wizard of Oz. That fact is that there are many glaciers that are actually growing rather than shrinking.

You might argue that there have been many all-time record highs of late. Well, I have an answer for that too. The reason is that many of the official National Weather Service recording sites have been in the same location since the dawn of time. Urban development (due to our increasing population) has managed to build up around those sites creating an urban heat island effect. That urban heat island effect is the result of structures and pavements that hold in heat, kind of like a large body of water, only more severe. In addition, everybody, and I mean everybody is recording temperature now. Many of those very new sites are again, in urban areas. I’m fairly certain that sometime over the past 4.5 billion years (the approx age of earth) it’s been this hot Continued on page 13

WEEDS

Curly-leaf pondweed usually follows milfoil PEND OREILLE COUNTY WEED DEPARTMENT

Curly-leaf pondweed will be dying back for the season and disappearing from sight shortly. Its growth cycle starts in late fall or early spring, growing into dense infestations by early summer.

Curly-leaf pondweed infestations reduce habitat for many aquatic organisms, fish and native plants. They also interfere with many recreational activities, although not as badly as milfoil.

I do not know if it occurs in Diamond or Sacheen lakes, although it often follows milfoil as a problematic aquatic weed.

Curly-leaf pondweed is a perennial plant, meaning it sprouts from the roots every year.

It reproduces by seed, fragment, and mostly by structures called turions. These are composed of small, compactly grown and hardened leaves that are formed at the ends of the stem branches. They are sharp and extremely nasty to step on Courtesy photo|Sharon Sorby with bare feet Potamogeton crispus – curly-leaf pondweed when wading or swimming. wildlife of a lake system. Most native aquatic It’s important vegetation neither grows in dense mats nor to remember tops the lake’s surface. that not all Although curly-leaf pondweed does grow in aquatic vegetadense mats, it usually does not top the lake’s tion is milfoil, Courtesy photo|Sharon Sorby surface. Nonetheless, it still creates problems most is an Curly-leaf pondweed turion, like for boating and swimming. It also creates waarray of native this one, are small, compactly ter quality problems for fish as it goes through plants that are grown and hardened leaves that its daily photosynthesis cycle. important to are formed at the ends of the the fish and stem branches.

Continued on page 13

Research shows many factors cause high water DUVALL, Wash. – A hydro geologist with SNR Company of Duvall, Wash., explained the various circumstances causing the high water at Diamond Lake and said it will take a variety of actions to alleviate the problem. The following information was taken out of an email Steve Neugebauer sent to Diamond Lake residents.

SNR research indicates that the Diamond Lake outlet is

BARBER SHOP (509) 447-3734 Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

301 S. Washington Newport

BY SHARON SORBY

Hydro geologist addresses beavers, history, nature of Diamond Lake

Connie and Clyde’s

manmade, as most kettle lakes do not have naturally occurring outlets. The lakes are created by retreating glaciers.

These lakes often had mills on them, and the source of the logs for those mills were trees in the immediate area.

The following is taken from a report provided to lake property owners recently: Large conifers and other trees in the area can remove up to 75 percent of the precipitation that occurs, greatly reducing water runoff. As clear-cut harvesting continued, the surface water volume

increased, resulting in higher lake levels. This can impact the mill on the lake shorelines.

To alleviate the problem, mill owners would excavate a drainage ditch to the closest downgradient point, where the water can enter a stream a river, or another drainage ditch system. This would prevent the lake water from getting higher than the outlet under normal circumstances.

In addition, it appears Diamond Lake may also have an inlet in the northeastern por-

Walk-ins Only House Flooded? Broken or Frozen Pipes?

--35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE -• Flood Dryout Services • Mold Inspection & Remediation • Remodeling & Repairs INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME Brooks Swanson, General Contractor RCT-13983 (CMI)(CMRC)(ART)(WRT)(llCRC)

(208) 448-2950

AMERICAN SERVICES

231 N. Washington Street, Newport Licensed & Insured WA & ID 509-447-2319

Communications Broadband Internet is now available in the Diamond Lake area!

Call your LOCAL Frontier Office with questions or to order yours today!

(208)263-4687

Continued on page 8 August 2012 | Lake Life 7

RESEARCH I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

tion of the lake. This inlet can divert surface water from a relatively large area into the lake and the “headwaters” for this drainage network that apparently enters the lake has been getting larger.

This means the lake not only receives the normal runoff from drainage around the lake, but it also receives flows from a much larger area. Additionally, the lake is in a ground water recharge area that is approximately

8 Lake Life | August 2012

28,000 acres in size.

Further study indicates that the sedimentary materials in Diamond Lake includes “volcanic” rock, which has a relatively low permeability, as does the metamorphic rock in the area. This suggests that Diamond Lake is not only influenced by surface water entering the lake, but it can also be influenced by ground water recharge in the area.

Unfortunately, there are limited ways to allow the lake to drain and routs that are available are nearly flat.

Air photographs as early as 1995

show limited ponding and possible one beaver dam across the drainage ditch from the lake. Beaver activity has increased and bypassing those dams may provide some benefit to the flooding, it is not known how much it would improve the situation.

The overall hydrology of the lake is causing the flooding, and it is possible removing beaver dams won’t provide the relief property owners are hoping for. However, because the outlet is manmade, it can be maintained. This would typically be the responsibility of

a local flood control district or a diking and drainage district. If those are not available, other sources such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service or other agencies may contribute to the maintenance of this ditch. This would include dredging the channel.

Additionally, beaver dams blocking manmade drainage systems can be addressed by drastic measures if necessary, however, the property rights of downstream property owners must also be considered.

The Common Enemy Doctrine does not allow those downstream to block drainage systems and they can potentially be held liable for water trespass on those upstream. The drainage system will require periodic maintenance and getting access in a hostile situation can be costly, so Neugebauer suggests finding an amicable way to cooperate with those downstream.

The county can impose immanent domain, for the “greater public good,” but the property owners will need to be paid for the land taken. The value would be pretty low in its current state, however, and only the section of land where the drainage system is located is needed.

Neugebauer warns that even if the drainage system is cleaned out and maintained, the capacity of the system may no longer be sufficient. Unless water can drain quickly enough to prevent recharge to the lake hydrology, the process may be slower than it was in the past.

Neugebauer said his company, SNR, can provide a proposal for the best way to proceed, but it is also possible state or federal agencies can provide geologic studies necessary to provide recommendations.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have the ability to provide dredging and ditching services also, however, it is unknown whether the state or federal agencies would get involved, Neugebauer said.

The flood control districts should provide these services, however, in Pend Oreille County this funding may not be available, Neugebauer said.

He also suggests checking to see if a historic diking and drainage district was formed and is merely in suspension (these can be unsuspended by the county commissioners) or a new district can be formed.

Eliminate the Climb!

Jump on Board with Wanna Lift Systems Courtesy photo|Perry Pearman

This helicopter was used to fly over Sacheen Lake to capture 3-D images of the ground surface in preparation for building a sewer system.

Engineers talking to residents about sewer design

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

SACHEEN LAKE – The Local Improvement District has been formed, land has been purchased and the area mapped for the Sacheen Lake $7.9 million sewer system, slated to be in place by the end of 2014.

Engineers are currently talking with Sacheen Lake residents about on site improvements that will need to be made, according to Eric Eldenburg of Sewell and Associates.

“We’ve talked to a little over half the residents,” Eldenburg

said. He wants to speak with the remainder of the 300 or so households that will be hooked into the new sewer system. He urges people to contact him at Sewell and Associates to arrange a meeting, 509-4473626.

In July the district purchased 160 acres of land from Stimson Lumber Co. for $357,500. The land is located on Rocky Gorge Road that will be used as a

treatment site.

The board took action two years ago to purchase the land, district secretary Sheila Pearman said. When the Local Improvement District that was established to pay for the sewer system was challenged, Stimson granted an extension.

The district secured a 20year loan at 2 percent interest Continued on page 15

• Tram Systems • Stairlift Systems • Dumb Waiters • Elevators

Wanna Lift Systems

1-800-594-2353

www.wannaliftsystems.com

Free Site Evaluation

C M S • Lighted • Fenced • 5 Sizes • On Site Owner

509-292-2075 Elk

Law enforcement calls decrease over last year NEWPORT – Calls for service to the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office were up from 191 in June to 276 in July, but are significantly down from 375 in 2011 in the Diamond and Sacheen lake area.

There were three reported burglaries and three reported thefts in July, along with 31 boat inspections and 18 boating citations. Sixteen erratic drivers were reported and there were 42 traffic stops.

One fatal car accident occurred in July.

Opening Memorial Weekend Strawberry Celebration: June 30, July 1, 7 & 8 Cherry Festival: July 14, 15 & 21, 22 Peach Festival: Aug. 18 thru Labor Day Apple Festival: Sept. 22 - Oct. 28

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UP TO DATE EVENT ACTIVITIES GO TO appleranch.com OR FRIEND US ON Facebook. #4 on the map • 238-4709

BONNER SAW & POWER EQUIPMENT

208-448-1522 • 682 High St., Priest River, ID Tues. thru Fri. 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday 8:30 to 2:00 August 2012 | Lake Life 9

1-800-310-DOCK www.marinewestindustries.com

Floating & Free-Standing Docks Gangways & Ramps Boat Lifts & Canopies Swim Rafts

Display yard 8800 N. Fairview, Spokane

WE HAVE

A

SPOT FOR YOU!

(208) 437-0224 www.3dognite.com 1335 HWY. 2 EAST, OLDTOWN, ID

NORTH 40 FENCE To Enhance & Secure Your Investments

Craftmanship & Integrity Commercial, Farm, Home Established 1983 Landscaping

Irises treated on Diamond 509-276-1140

Proprietor: Austin Wells Lic. #NORTH4F96004

new

Exclusively at

superior coverage in half the time

SELKIRK “YOUR HOMETOWN DIFFERENCE”

East end of the Oldtown bridge, Oldtown, Idaho - 208.437.5669 Open 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm 10 Lake Life | August 2012

MINER PHOTO|FRED WILLENBROCK

A crew from Lakeland Restoration Services treats yellow flag iris, using an airboat, and in some cases a backpack sprayer.

BY THE MINER STAFF

DIAMOND LAKE – Popping up on the grassy shorelines at Diamond Lake are innocent looking yellow irises. But those blooming plants are noxious weeds that choke out the native plants that provide good cover for nesting waterfowl.

The yellow flag irises on the shores of Diamond Lake were sprayed with herbicide Monday, Aug. 13. A crew from Lakeland Restoration Services LLC was contracted to do the work, funded by the Diamond Lake Improvement Association. The herbicide application took about nine hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The association has committed $25,000 over three years for the treatment of milfoil, canary grass and yellow flag iris. It is not known how the money will be split between the three weeds over the course of those three years.

The herbicide, an aquatically labeled glyphosate, was applied by an airboat. In some areas, though, the weeds were targeted with a crewmember hand spraying from the shoreline.

Residents say the iris has been around the lake since at least the 1950s. It has never been targeted with a widespread treatment like the one planned for next week, according to Tom Wimpy, who owns property on Diamond. His company, Inland Water Pest Control and Consulting, works collaboratively with Lakeland Restoration.

Wimpy said the infestation has gotten

particularly bad in the last couple years due to the high water. The tubers from the iris break off and go floating all over the lake, he said.

At the DLIA meeting Aug. 1, lake resident Tom VandeVanter spoke out against treating the weeds. He said he would rather the board spend money on getting rid of milfoil and addressing the high water issue. Some claimed the iris was preventing shoreline erosion.

“In one weekend with boats, it’s amazing how much that grass has taken a beating,” VandeVanter said, referring to the lifting of the no wake zone the weekend before.

Some residents tried to stop the work, asking the Pend Oreille County commissioners to contact DLIA asking to delay the treatment.

Some felt the weed was helping prevent shoreline erosion. They wanted to wait for treatment until boat traffic subsided in the fall.

Wimpy said the irises don’t help with the erosion problem. David Kluttz of Lakeland Restoration said the irises only create a false impression that there’s something there that will prevent erosion.

Ultimately four residents requested their iris not be spayed and they weren’t, said Sharon Sorby of the Pend Oreille Noxious County Weed Control Board.

Sorby recommended planting native plants, such as spirea, a low growing bush.

It grows quickly and will fill in areas where the irises were removed. In addition, since some of the branches are in the water, it does Continued on page 12

Late summer scenes at Sacheen Lake

COURTESY PHOTO|JOE ONLEY

Pend Oreille County resident Dillon Zickler makes a cut and gets some dramatic spray while water skiing on Sacheen Lake.

COURTESY PHOTO|JOE ONLEY

These people got in some late season cruising at Sacheen Lake.

Jordan Onley is pictured in the center with an apple juice. He is joined by Dan and Margaret Gray, who were visiting from California.

NEED

A

RIDE? 50¢ One Way Priest River - Newport 3 One Way Newport - Spokane $ 00

Newport / Priest River / Spokane Shuttle Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Schedule Ride 24 Hours in Advance

COURTESY PHOTO|JOE ONLEY

Left: Kathryn Onley enjoys some afternoon sun in her kayak.

SPECIAL MOBILITY SERVICES 1-877-264-RIDE (7433)

Serving Washington & Idaho since 2000 LLC

A C O N S T R U C T I O N C O M PA N Y

www.varnoconstruction.com

WA Lic# VARNOL*896K6 • ID Lic# RCE-32589

new construction remodels additions 509.671.0406 509.447.5541

STYLE

ELEGANCE

FUNCTION August 2012 | Lake Life 11

IRIS I Pend Oreille County

Public Utility District “Quality Service at Low Cost”

www.popud.com

509-447-3137

509-242-3137

For All Your Auto Collision Repair p Needs!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

work to break up waves before they hit the shore.

DLIA members surveyed the lake for iris infestations earlier this year. They came up with 99 locations. The southwest end of the lake bordering the Boy Scout property is particularly thick with yellow flag iris.

The iris grows along the edge of the water, which is owned by the state. Therefore, the landowner’s permission is not required before doing the treatment. Residents were notified of the treatment with a letter from Lakeland Restoration sent July 23.

Because some residents may want to keep the ornamental flowers, Lakeland suggests they move it from the shoreline before the

treatment date. The state doesn’t technically allow the cultivation of noxious weeds, but Kluttz said since the plant propagates by dropping seeds in the water, it wouldn’t be able to spread around the lake if it was kept in beds away from the shoreline.

“We’re trying to reach a happy medium,” he said. “If people really want the plant, they could grow in a garden.”

People are advised to wear gloves when digging the iris, as the rhizomes can cause skin irritation. Also, be careful not to allow the rhizomes to break off into the water.

Canary grass, which was treated in Moon Creek, is dying where the water does not touch it. Wimpy said the weeds in the water are turning green again.

• FREE Estimates • Full Service Auto Body Collision Repair • Computerized Frame Analysis • All Insurance Accepted • Lifetime Guarantee www.rogersbodyandframe.com

509-447-4225 • 530 S. Cass Ave., Newport, WA

Need Help With Yardwork?

Mowing • Trimming • Cleanup Pruning • Flower Beds • Sprinkler Repair

Richard 15 Years Experience

208-610-1223

Wild Coyote Lawn Services MINER PHOTO|FRED WILLENBROCK

DLIA holds annual meeting

The old Finch Lodge at the Boy Scout Camp was the site of the annual Diamond Lake Improvement Association meeting Saturday, Aug. 25. The lodge is scheduled to be torn down and rebuilt so this might be the last meeting there. About 150 people attended to hear reports on association activities, which included the new boat launch inspection program, fish pens and milfoil eradication. Volunteer boat inspectors wore their red shirts like the couple in this picture listening to board member Pam Tulley speak. The DLIA boat inspection theme was “Clean boats, Clean Waters.” The members voted to spend up to $5,000 next year on the annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

FIBER I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

12 Lake Life | August 2012

month. So far they have the grant funds to hook everyone up but they must spend the money by the end of the grant period. They have about 3,000 of the potential 5,500 homes and businesses signed up for drops now.

The agreement does not commit the property owner to use the fiber or pay anything.

It simply gets the fiber to the structure for future purchases of services from a retail service provider. This fall contractors will be installing the hubs or ground level boxes that provide service to groups of homes or

businesses. They will continue to install underground and overhead drops to the actual structure near the electrical meters in most cases. Every home or business in the south Pend Oreille County area is eligible to receive free fiber connections regardless of how many miles from the main line.

WEEDS I

WEATHER I

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Fortunately, because of its early growth start in the spring, it is easy to manage with herbicide application without damaging native plants that do not sprout until later in the spring.

Homeowners can pull or rake the plants later in the season, although it is not a permanent solution as the stems usually break-off, allowing spread through fragmentation and leaving the roots to re-sprout. If this option is chosen, it is necessary to have the “Blue Book” – “Aquatic Weeds and Fish” on site as it constitutes your permit to perform the work.

Books are available from our office.

before, we just were not around to record it.

PERMITS I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

submit a list of applicators for both permits),” Sorby said.

It was under this permit the reed canary grass was treated in Moon Creek and the yellow flag iris was treated around Diamond Lake. The county does not charge for operating under this permit, as it is free.

As the weed board’s job is to promote noxious weed control, any person or group who wishes to treat them will receive assistance in any form the weed board is capable of lending (everything depends on money), technical assistance in project design, referring applicators, financial assistance through our Neighborhood Cost-Share program, and educational assistance.

Hold on, I’m not done yet! Others have brought up the fact that recent storms have been the most destructive in recorded history. That is true, but it’s not because the storms are necessarily more severe. Again, with increasing population, comes more widespread infrastructure. For example, what once was a farmer’s field is now a housing development. Fifty years ago, a tornado touching down over that field would destroy crops. Today, it will destroy homes. Add inflation to the equation and you can plainly see why our storms are so costly now. So, why all the hype on global warming? As usual, it’s all about the money.

If you’re still not convinced, I’ll leave you with this thought … What caused all the ice that took out the dinosaurs? Better yet, what caused all that ice to melt?

I can’t find any evidence that the smoke signals sent out back then mentioned anything about “man-made” global warming. So, one can only conclude that it was a “natural” occurrence. Or was it perhaps the local Neanderthal population passing a little too much methane gas in their man “caves”? I’ll let you decide.

In the meantime, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to continue your recycling program and change over a few of your light bulbs to those ugly CFLs. After all, every little bit we do now will help to conserve resources (and conserving our resources is what it should be all about) for our future generations. Though, I doubt any of that will save us from the global warming media hype, or the fact that naturally occurring climate changes have, and always will be a part of living here on beautiful planet earth.

A reminder that while this is the last issue of Lake Life for the season, you can still get a fix on all your weather needs by visiting my website, climatehawk. org. In September, I’ll be issuing my 26th annual winter forecast … You don’t want to miss it! I hope you all enjoy the fall season just ahead as I think it will feature some spectacular weather!

Your Scuba Diving Adventure Begins With Us Over 25 yr experience

Sales • Classes Rentals • PADI Scubapro Spokanes’ largest scuba inventory www.atlantisaquatics.net

16717 E. Sprague (509) 534-2144 330 N 1st Ave. • Sandpoint, ID ( ) 255-4186 (208)

“New York Style” ITALIAN RISTORANTE

Reservations Recommended

Deck Dining Located on Beautiful Sand Creek

Open for Lunch & Dinner “LIVE MUSIC” Quality Used Boat Sales and Expert Professional Service for your boats & watercraft Vince Zimmer – owner on Diamond Lake since 1957

S p o k a n e ’s P r e m i e r W a t e r s p o r t s D e a l e r S i n c e 1 9 7 6 E. 12710 Indiana Spokane WA (I90 & Pines)

(509) 927-2505

www.alpinehausmarina.com

THEFT I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

to get the serial numbers and file them,” Morris said. She also suggests carving or painting your name on vessels and mark them up as much as possible to make them identifiable.

“It’s really sad that people do that kind of thing,” Morris said.

A stolen property report was filed with the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the missing kayaks should contact the office at 5069-4473151.

“To the people who stole our kayaks, please do the right thing and return them,” Morris said.

Where shopping is an experience!

The girls at Just Because believe in inspiring women to dress with confidence and style through clothes that compliment who they are. At Just Because you’ll find small town hospitality with big city style and selections.

317 S Washington Ave, Newport, WA 509-447-2762 • www.shoppingjustbecause.com

August 2012 | Lake Life 13

W H O T O CO N TAC T D S

LAW OFFICE OF DENISE STEWART

• Wills • Trusts • Powers of Attorney

• Probate • Medicaid • Business

301 S. WASHINGTON AVE. - SUITE A NEWPORT • (509) 447-3242

Thank You

for making our 2012 Season so successful!

See you next May!

The Plantman Lodge Jewelry Fine China Framed Art Furniture

County Commissioners District 1: Laura Merrill, Chairwoman (2014) District 2: Diane Wear, Vice Chairwoman (2012) District 3: John Hankey, Member (2012) Four-year terms Annual salary: $53,148 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 the responsibility of another elected official. Appoint citizens to commissioners and boards; represent the county locally, regionally and sate wide 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: Chris Mylar Office hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday

Noxious Weed 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 county

commissioners’ meeting room.

Weed coordinator: Sharon Sorby E-mail: ssorby@pendoreille.org

Diamond Lake Water & Sewer District 509-447-4660 Fax: 509-447-0180 172 South Shore Road, Newport, WA 991569300 Operates water and sewer systems around Diamond Lake.

Commissioners (six-year term): chairman Bob Graham (2017), Secretary Richard Swan (2016), Ray King (2013).

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. Monday-Friday.

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 District 509-447-4641 Mail: P.O. Box 463, Colbert, WA 99005 Located at Sacheen Lake in southern Pend Oreille County, the Sacheen Lake Sewer & Water District is working on lake water quality, lake level issues, milfoil control and beginning design and construction of phase 1 sewer collection and treatment plant.

The district also 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 (2013) Managing secretary: Sheila Pearman Commissioners meet at Sacheen Lake Fire Station, Highway 211, on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

I Love Shopping at

• Convenience • Savings • Variety

BEN FRANKLIN

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Mon - Sat 8 am - 7 pm Sun 10 am - 6 pm

® BEN“OFRANKLIN V S ” UR

ARIETY

HOWS

(208) 437-4822

201 East 4th Street North • Oldtown

306 S. Washington Ave. • (509) 447-5913 14 Lake Life | August 2012

facebook.com/bfoldtown

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 509-4475305 Commissioners: Gary Wilkey 509-447-0744, Randy Miller 509-292-8065, Leonard Pielli 509-447-3793, Galen Hansen 509-292-9458, Karen Johnston 509-939-7714.

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 Web site: www.spofr.org

ENGINEERS I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Custom Boat Docks Dock Accessories & Boat Lifts

509-922-3610 or 1-866-508-7701 205 S. Evergreen Rd, Spokane Valley www.larkdock.com

PROTECT YOUR HOME Courtesy photo|USDA Farm Service Agency

This image shows Sacheen Lake from satellite. The red square indicates the 160 acres the district purchased for the sewer treatment area.

from the Public Works Trust Fund. If the work is completed early, the interest rate will drop to 1.5 percent.

When commissioners formed the Local Improvement District to fund the sewer system, they told people they anticipated assessments of about $16,970 per lot, which could be paid at once or over 20 years. The exact amount isn’t yet known.

The $16,970 figure is less than an earlier LID, which called for a $21,580 assessment for a developed lot and a $14,000 assessment for an undeveloped lot.

Some property owners successfully challenged that assessment in court and the district formed another LID. After LID No. 2 was successfully challenged in court, the district went back and formed LID No. 3. With the LID, residents agree to assess each property owner to pay for the sewer.

An aerial topographic survey of the lake was conducted last spring, using lidar technology mounted on a helicopter.

With lidar, laser pulses yield direct, 3-D measurements of the

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

resources.

Residents are invited to attend the free workshop to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of high water, to discuss concerns, and share information about the high water background and the current state of the problem.

The workshop will take place 6:30-8 p.m. at the Diamond Lake Fire Station, 325272 Highway 2. For more information contact Debbie Harkness at dharkness57@gmail.com.

905 E “D” St. • Deer Park www.dpfcc.com

No Contract Required.

Local Sales & Service.

We Service All Models Free Evaluation of Existing Systems.

Newport Alarm & Communications Jack Williams • Owner (509) 447-4903 • (800) 938-4184 email to: newportalarm@ hotmail.com

OUR URGENT CARE PROVIDES

convenient, economical care for conditions that can’t wait until your next medical appointment.

We are here to serve you.

Walk-ins Welcome!

NEW Hours for your convenience

7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday Appointments Call:

(509) 276-5005 or (866) 729-8505 We accept all health insurance programs including Medicare and Medicaid and cash. Sliding cash fee schedule.

THE DEER PARK URGENT CARE is a center that provides high quality, convenient, time-efficient medical care for all non life or limb-threatening injuries and illnesses. Get better faster with urgent care on a walk-in / no-appointment basis.

While we are located in Deer Park, our friendly staff is here to provide the entire TriCounty area with the prompt, affordable and quality care everyone deserves.

New to the Family at DPFCC

The Urgent Care Clinic is available to everyone.

All insurance types are accepted as well as those without medical insurance on a cash basis. Our Urgent Care provides quality care without the high cost of Emergency Room billing.

Dr. Jon Wilson

Pediatrics, Preventative Care & Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT).

DEER PARK URGENT CARE is not a substitute for critical emergency care. For serious or life-threatening problems call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Open Daily 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. www.dpurgentcare.com • 702 South Park, Deer Park

509-262-9000

Riverside H.S.

Hwy 2

WORKSHOP I

ground surface, vegetation, roads and buildings.

Final results are typically produced in weeks, whereas traditional ground-based mapping methods took months or years. Furthermore, they are far more accurate, Eldenburg said.

An archeological survey was conducted in the Rocky Gorge area to ensure that there are no Native American artifacts in the area.

This summer there will be a wetlands survey conducted.

Engineers are meeting with property owners to diagram where wastewater will come out of the home to know where to install a control box and pump unit. They will also identify any septic system that will need to be crushed and filled.

The sewer system is expected to be in place by the end of 2014.

6 Month FREE Monitoring on Competitors Security Systems.

August 2012 | Lake Life 15

C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S FREE E-CYCLE

• Laptops • Computer CPU’s • Computer Monitors • Televisions SOUTH COUNTY TRANSFER STATION Solid Waste Division NEWPORT, WA

THURSDAY, AUG. 30 High Water Workshop

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 Diamond Lake Improvement Association

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is hosting a workshop with engineering geologist Steven Neugebauer 6:30-8 p.m. at the Diamond Lake Fire Station. Residents are invited to attend the free workshop to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of high water, to discuss concerns, and share information about the high water background and the current state of the problem.

The monthly meeting of the DLIA is held at 6:30 p.m. at the fire station on Highway 2. Visit www.diamondlakewa.org. Officers will be elected.

THURSDAY, AUG. 30 Meet the Grizzlies

(509) 447-4513 WWW.PENDOREILLECO.ORG

Connecting

Diamond Lake to the World

High Definition, Digital, & Analog Cable Internet Packages up to 15 MB download .

Larger Internet Packages Coming Soon!

(208) 437-4544 www.conceptcable.com “Your Local Broadband Provider”

Get to know your Newport High School athletes who will be competing in football, volleyball, soccer, cross country and cheerleading this fall. The Maws and Paws Booster Club is hosting the annual Meet the Grizzlies from 7-8 p.m. at the high school gym. The pep-rally type event is usually followed with hot dogs and refreshments. The first day of school for Newport is Sept. 4, and the first home football game is Sept. 7 against border rivals Priest River.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 Great Northwest Bike Tour

Starting at Newport City Park, cyclists take a 15, 30, 50 or 85-mile loop along Diamond Lake, Scotia Road or Calispell Lake. Entry fees for this 12th annual event benefit community projects in Newport, Oldtown and Priest River. A meal is provided for riders after the event.

MONDAY, SEPT. 3 Labor Day

Celebrate the end of the summer season at the lake.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 Diamond Lake Water and Sewer

The water sewer board will have its bi-monthly meeting at 10 a.m. in the District Office, 172 South Shore Road.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 Sacheen Lake Sewer and Water

The water and sewer board will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the Sacheen Fire Station, Highway 211. The commissioners meet on the first Wednesday of every month.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12 Home and Community Educators

The Diamond Lake club of the Home and Community Educators meets monthly on the second Wednesday at noon. Call Billie Goodno at 509-447-3781 or Chris King at 208-437-0971 for a location.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12 Watershed Planning Group Meeting

The planning group for the Middle and Little Spokane Rivers (the Department of Ecology’s Watershed Resources Inventory Areas 55 and 57) will meet from 9 a.m. to noon at the Spokane County Water Reclamation Facility, 1004 N. Freya St. in Spokane. WRIA 55 includes Diamond and Sacheen lakes as well as Eloika Lake, Dry Creek, Deer Creek, Deadman Creek, Dragoon Creek and the Little Spokane River. Visit www. spokanecounty.org/wqmp/projects.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19 Diamond Lake Water and Sewer

The water sewer board will have its second meeting of the month at 10 a.m. in the District Office, 172 South Shore Road.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20 South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue

The fire district that covers much of south Pend Oreille County, including Diamond and Sacheen lakes, holds its monthly commissioners meeting on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Diamond Lake Station, 325272 Highway 2.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26 Sacheen Ladies of the Lake

The philanthropic and social group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at noon at various locations. Call president Maria Bullock at 509-998-4221 to find out where. The group raises money for various causes. Visit sosacheen. tripod.com/sacheenladiesofthelake.

MONDAY, OCT. 22 West Branch LSR Watershed Committee

The volunteer group planning for the West Branch of the Little Spokane River Watershed meets twice yearly now. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. at Riverside Fire Station No. 46, just west of Highway 2 on Deer Park-Milan Road. The fall agenda is flexible, but will likely include updates on the outlet situation on Diamond Lake and the invasive species cooperative initiative from Sharon Sorby.

16 Lake Life | August 2012