Lake LIfe, May 2012

Volume 1, Issue 2

Produced by The Miner Newspapers

May 2012

Gotta Love Opening Day See page 11 for Fishing Results

Fresh catch at the lake Page 10

Photo contest winners Page 12

Beaver problems Page 13

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Gotta love Lake Life on opening day N

obody loves the opening day of fishing season more than my yellow lab, Bentley. Our cover for this second edition of Lake Life shows him demonstrating this love for a fat rainbow with a quick kiss before I carefully put the fish back in the icy cold waters of Diamond Lake. (I told the editor to cut the “dawg� on top off, but she didn’t.)

When my son was young he would scream “the doors are open� at 5 a.m. like it was Christmas morning and not a day set by the government for fishing to start. I think I finally told him when he was about 11 that the rest of the world called it “opening day� but at near 30 years old he still likes to say “the doors are open.�

And I like to hear it. I hope his son uses the same misguided phrase. Since he lived on the lake, he and his brother could have slept in and fished all they wanted after the opening rush. But there is a drive that a spawning salmon running up a shallow stream must have. A drive for first out – first fish – biggest fish – most fish.

That’s Lake Life – you gotta love it.

We hope you also love this second of five monthly issues this summer. Let us know; so far the response has been fantastic. If you miss a free issue in your mailbox, they are available at some area stores or you can read it on The Miner’s website. If you would like, we can mail one to you.

-Fred J. Willenbrock Publisher

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

LAKE LIFE is published monthly in April, May, June, 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.

Kenny Loggins

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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.

WAT E R L E V E L

High water study completed

BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER

DIAMOND LAKE – A portion of the outlet at Moon Creek is clogged, causing high water levels at Diamond Lake this spring. A study by James A. Sewell and Associates pinpointed the clogged area to the spot between North Shore Road and the beaver dam pond downstream.

Engineer Eric Eldenburg said there appears to be very little restriction to flows between the lake and North Shore Road. But downstream of the road, the lake level is about two feet lower between the road and the pond. He said the vegetation is so heavy there that they can’t tell if the restriction has to do with the weeds or another beaver dam.

On April 17, Sewell engineers measured the lake level at the boat launch to be 2,342.92 feet.

The level didn’t change much until the section of the outlet downstream of North Shore Road where the level was 2,340.89.

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association has submitted permits to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Ecology that would allow them to clear weeds and install tubes to allow water to flow

through the beaver dam.

In order to keep from flooding Sacheen Lake, which is downstream of Moon Creek, Eldenburg had recommended waiting until the water goes down to do any work should they get the permits.

He said that gaining access to that area of the channel will be a problem. Every time the engineers tried to access the area, the neighbors said no, he told The Miner.

Sewell is done with its work at Diamond Lake. Eldenburg said the project is now in the hands of the association.

DLIA president Geri Guinn said they’re not sure what their next step will be. They haven’t yet looked into the access issues.

“We don’t have the authority to do anything,” she said. “That’s why we really wished the county would get involved in that.”

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association has received the permit allowing them to treat Aquatic Invasive Weeds. The association has treated some areas of the lake for several years along with a hand pulling program using volunteer SCUBA divers. Guinn said they might treat the outflow, Moon Creek, to help restore normal flow. They said they assist in a program to trap and relocate beaver this year.

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Wind storm hits Sacheen Lake SACHEEN LAKE – Strong winds late Wednesday afternoon, May 9 caused damage around Sacheen Lake. The winds began around mid-morning and continued to strengthen throughout the day.

A roof collapsed over an RV just off Tennate Road and residents reported several downed trees. No injuries were reported.

The strongest gusts occurred between 1-4 p.m. as a dry cold front moved through the area. During the height of the storm, the winds were estimated to be between 45 and 55 mph, according to local climatologist Bob Lutz. He said the winds came from varying directions, making this event rather unique.

Bellowing cumulus clouds in the area at the time were also creating mini downdrafts in the unstable pattern. The “swirling” type winds were likely caused by the surrounding terrain, which typically serves to protect this region from such strong wind events, Lutz said.

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SACHEEN LAKE – Overall, it’s been a stormy spring and I’m sure many are left to wonder if all the rainfall will follow us like a lost puppy into the “dog days” of summer like it did last year. Well in short, I think Lutz this summer will turn out a bit different than last year for many reasons.

You might remember that last month I talked about how Arctic Oscillation (no, there won’t be a test) messed up our winter forecast in that it negated the effects of our normally wet, cold La Nina cycle. Well, when the Arctic Oscillation went to bed several weeks ago, it left La Nina as free as a horse fly to aggravate

the Northwest with a parade of storms – storms that should have been here back in January!

Well now it appears that after a nearly a two-year reign, La Nina herself is fading away like a bat in the night and as such, so too will the strength of the Gulf of Alaska storm factory. The demise of La Nina in the Equatorial Pacific should, (I say “should”) gradually bring about a longerlasting change to more high pressure here in the West. That high will serve to deflect most of the major storms into Canada (eh) eventually leaving our area with more sun and less rainfall.

In fact, the beautiful weather already experienced this month is a result of one of those strong high-pressure ridges. This is further proof of increased odds of a drier summer. Having said that though, scattered thunderstorm and shower activity moving

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up from the four-corners area is always a wild card, so we’ll just have to wait and see what Mother Nature throws our way this season.

Wait, I’m not done confusing you yet! There seems to be a consensus amongst the longrange weather models that there could be an El Nino (La Nina’s warmer cousin) developing by late in the summer. If this comes to fruition, then it will likely turn much hotter toward the final months of the season. At this point I’m thinking lots of sunscreen and bug spray just to be on the safe side!

First though, we’ll need to get through a couple of more months, which could potentially produce above normal precipitation. That is probably the last thing we need right now. As we read in the last issue of Lake Life, all this excessive liquid falling from above (already over 18 inches here at Sacheen since Jan. 1) has left us boaters traversing our area waterways at a snail’s pace due to the high water levels. And if that was not bad enough, all this moisture has led to a bumper crop of those flying B52 blood banks (aka mosquitoes) looking for involuntary donors! Yes, welcome to spring in Pend Oreille County!

Now, even though precipitation may average above normal for the remainder of the season, I don’t think it will be near as wet as last year. We are already seeing some periods of nice, quiet weather in between storms and that will likely be the norm before the summer heat really kicks in. And speaking of heat, for those of you that lost sleep last year trying to figure out when our first 70 (or even 80) degree day was going to be, well you can rest easy! On the 23rd of April, we topped out at a sizzling 84 degrees here Sacheen, which was several weeks ahead of last year. Yes, I know – that’s a load off! In the next issue of Lake Life, I’ll have our spring weather wrap-up and let you know how all this early rain could result in a nasty wildfire season and what you should do to prepare.

In the meantime, you can read my regularly updated exclusive forecast narratives (including my Boating Forecast) anytime simply by logging onto my website (climatehawk.org) and clicking on Bob’s Northwest Summaries.

INFR ASTRUC TURE

Beavers love Sacheen Lake

The focus of the Sacheen Betterment Association, now the Sacheen Lake Association (SLA) is to foster community and stewardship at the lake. Part of that stewardship has been to assist in maintaining the flow of the lake’s outflow, the West Branch of the Little Spokane River.

The local beaver population loves living in this area, and they do their best to reduce the flow and dam up the stream, increasing the level of the lake and causing shoreline erosion. Years ago it was not uncommon for dynamite to be used to clear out the beaver dams, at times blowing out windows in neighboring homes.

This is no longer an approved means of control or removal. In conjunction with the Sacheen Lake Sewer and Water District, the SLA has installed tubes through the beaver dams that allow the water to pass through to maintain flow. The first tubes installed were taken from a design out of Vermont and were constructed out of cedar.

Vermont beavers must not have a taste for cedar like ours here in Washington do, as our cedar tubes were consumed in a short manner. There has been

Boat renewal notices won’t be mailed NEWPORT – Boat owners won’t be receiving a paper renewal notice for their registrations again this year. All boat registrations expire at the end of June.

Notices are sent out by email for those who have signed up for the service.

Those emails have already been sent out this year.

You can sign up to receive email reminders at dol. wa.gov.

Renewals can be done in person at the Pend Oreille County auditor’s office at the courthouse in Newport. You will need to know the registration number on the bow of the boat when renewing.

much iteration of the beaver tubes. Most recently the tubes installed have been 20 feet long and 24 inches in diameter of corrugated black plastic culvert.

We have also installed a gratetype bar screen that collects the build-up of debris while still allowing water to flow through.

This allows for easier cleaning and maintenance of the tubes.

The improvements made to the tube design have reduced the number of man-hours required to maintain them from more than 150 hours per year to around 50 hours per year.

These maintenance efforts of late have been done totally through volunteers from the SLA. Don Hill is the current SLA president and leads this effort.

Throughout its 55 years, the SLA has sponsored pancake

breakfasts at the Circle Moon and boater education classes at the fire station, conducted twice yearly road clean-up efforts, hosted barbecues, judged Fourth of July boat parades and awarded prizes to the best decorated boat as well as the best decorated dock.

The annual meetings and barbecues have been a way for all to come together and reconnect after the winter’s long absence and for the new folks to meet the old folks. The SLA annual picnic at the Myers/ Harter Sanctuary has become a big hit with great games for the kids as well as wonderful food shared by all. This year’s annual meeting is June 16 at 10 a.m. at the Sacheen Lake Fire Station and the annual picnic is Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Myers/Harter Sanctuary.

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N AT U R E

The beaver: Nuisance or nature’s engineer?

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

DIAMOND LAKE – Each year the beaver gets some attention at lake communities such as Sacheen and Diamond Lake. Mostly it isn’t good attention.

“It seems like beavers have always been a problem at the outflow of the lake,” Perry Pearman of Sacheen Lake said. “There are four to six dams that control the lake levels here.”

What beavers probably are best known for is building dams. The dams serve a variety of beneficial functions. But they also block the outflow for the lakes. That can cause the water to rise and flood basements, cause septic tanks to overflow and generally create problems for property owners.

Landowners whose property is negatively affected by beavers have a right to protect their property, says Severin Erickson, wildlife agent with the Washington State Depart-

COURTESY PHOTO|SEVERIN ERICKSON

When you have a beaver problem, such as a beaver under the house like this one at Diamond Lake, wildlife agent Severin Erickson with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, is the person you call for help. The beaver was released back into Diamond Lake.

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“There are several things people can do,” he says.

Erickson recommends people contact him before doing any-

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thing, however, as there are also several things people are prohibited from doing, at least without proper permits.

One of the things you’re not supposed to do is tamper with beaver dams. That can result in a fine and Erickson says he has written citations over it.

Erickson said there is another reason not to destroy dams.

“People don’t realize that when they remove dams, the do more harm than good,” he said. The beavers quickly build them back. “And they usually rebuild them stronger and taller.”

But landowners whose property is being negatively affected by beaver – through such things as gnawing down big trees and blocking streams – have a right to kill the beaver.

“We had one last week,” he said in early May. “The beaver was taking down large trees.”

Erickson doesn’t recommend people do that before contacting him, but it is permitted under certain circumContinued on page 13

INFR ASTRUC TURE Grants took time for sewer district

BY FRED WILLENBROCK OF THE MINER

Editor’s note: This story on the Diamond Lake Water and Sewer District is continued from last month’s Lake Life.

Ray King, 60, was first on the Diamond Lake Water and Sewer District board for 12 years starting in 1981, before the state-of-the-art sewage treatment system was installed. He later came back to the board and is still serving today. He holds numerous water and sewage system operator certifications and is known for his expertise around the state. The Newport system has received many awards over the years under his management.

He lives near the lake with his wife, where they raised their children.

King came on the board when the sewer system dream was struggling to become reality.

“We kept applying for grants,” King said. But they were turned down.

He said that he believes Sacheen Lake residents at the time were ahead of Diamond on the priority list for sewer treatment system grants.

Sacheen still doesn’t have a system.

Loon Lake landed the first grant in the region, just before Diamond.

King said the first design was for a conventional system with 22 lift stations to take the solid sewage to a treatment plant like cities do. But he remembers that the federal grant administrators had an idea for an experimental system and were looking for a community in eastern Washington to try it out.

The system was based on what Diamond eventually got.

Each property has a septic tank and only liquids are pumped away for treatment.

The district became one of the first to try the system even though King said at the time he was more concerned with it working than the cost.

But the district started with 70 percent grant funding and ended up getting an 80 percent grant to fund the project.

“That’s unheard of today,” King said.

The sewer system was working in 1985.

They have had to make modifications over the years to keep in compliance with changing state laws. Most have been to meet new requirements for environmental safety.

The district started with building a water system in the late 70s. King said it uses well water.

He pointed to a King brown wood table and said that’s the color of the water when it comes out of the ground near Diamond and Sacheen lakes. So water from these wells has to go to a treatment system and then to one of three storage tanks.

“The water system is aging,” King said.

The district has worked to get new water rights over the years. Without them public water systems have limited expansion. They continue to purchase new well sites.

King said they have enough water should all the lots in the district be developed but can’t expand beyond the district.

Eventually they will have to replace the water meters among other system equip-

ment.

King is the district’s registered water and sewer operator. If he wasn’t on the board, they would contract for the necessary services, he said.

One of the latest issues he deals with both at Diamond Lake and Newport is the new state requirement for annual backflow valve checks for all homes with sprinkler systems.

King said he understands the need for the valve that prevents contaminated ground water from sprinklers to enter the drinking water system.

“Newport has 28 valves with a 50 percent failure rate,” King said. He is a certified valve tester.

If a fire truck sucks the system down in an emergency, homes without a valve could end up with contaminated water in their drinking system, he said.

The district is responsible to make sure homes are tested.

The test results go to the district office. If they believe a homeowner isn’t getting the test they send them a letter, followed by other action.

Some people don’t understand that the state has ordered the district to do this along with many other new requirements all the time, King said.

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NEWPORT – Appraisers from the Pend Oreille County Assessor’s Office will begin their visits to the Diamond and Sacheen Lake areas in late May. The south part of the county is getting physical inspections for the first time in four years.

As of mid-May, the assessor’s office was nearly complete with assessments in the city of Newport and sales studies were underway for the Diamond and Sacheen areas.

In all, the physical inspections are about 43 percent done. While the hope was to finish them by the end of May, the office is behind schedule. In the last two years, appraisals weren’t done until October. The office has been short staffed, but a new appraiser is being hired.

A statistical analysis will be done to update property values in the rest of the county, but physical inspections happen on a four-year cycle.

Once inspections are done, property owners will receive a mailing notifying them of any

changes in their property values. Owners have 30 days from the date of that mailing to petition the board of equalization or contact the county if there is an error in their assessment.

For properties where the value didn’t change, owners won’t get the notices, but they can still appeal their values at that point.

Assessor Jim McCroskey said people should keep an eye out on their website for information on appeals at www.pendoreilleco. org/county/assessor.

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Iris infestations reduce waterfowl nesting sites and habitat for hiding from predators and the organisms they depend upon for

raising their chicks. They reduce options for mammals that depend on shoreline habitat, including otters and moose. They also interfere with recreational activities.

With the cooperation of the different lake organizations, the Pend Oreille County Weed Board has been trying to implement a management project for yellow flag iris. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources had agreed to give Pend Oreille County $5,000 toward developing an Aquatic Invasive

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Species Cooperative Management Area, of which, I wanted to begin with an iris control project on our lakes. Unfortunately, the funding has never come to pass.

Davis Lake and a few waterfront owners on Diamond Lake took the initiative last year and had their populations treated.

This work was a good start.

We are happy to assist any other landowners who wish to undertake similar action. Other options include digging out the iris plants – no easy task. 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. It’s also important to wear gloves as the sap of this plant is toxic.

For those who choose to take a more relaxed approach, in late summer, seedpods will be maturing. Landowners can assist by removing the seedpods and disposing of them on dry land (in burn or compost piles or in the trash).

Vacation rental rule enforcement complaint driven Only permitted vacation rentals at Diamond and Sacheen lakes

BY DON GRONNING OF THE MINER

NEWPORT – More than a year after adopting the vacation rental chapter in the county development regulations, there are only two permitted vacation rentals in the county – one on Sacheen Lake and one on Diamond Lake.

Vacation rentals, which are defined as housing that is rented for less than 30 days at a time, have been a somewhat contentious issue.

On Diamond Lake, Sonja and Kevin Willits have a two-story vacation rental property at 325481 Highway 2.

On Sacheen Lake, Don Hill has a vacation rental on Eastshore Road.

But these are the only two permitted vacation rentals in Pend Oreille County. Which isn’t to Some people say there say they are no are no different than other vacation loaning your rentals. cabin to family A quick for a weekend. internet search turns up a vacation rental at both Sacheen and Diamond Lake.

Some people say they are no different than loaning your cabin to family for a weekend.

They produce income for their owners at a time when the economy is struggling.

But for others, vacation rentals can be a nuisance, with vacationers partying around the clock, traffic congestion and more people in the neighborhood.

Until 2005, there were virtually no rules about vacation rentals in unincorporated residential neighborhoods.

The county developed zoning regulations in 2006. The county decided that vacation rentals and other commercial developments would be permitted through conditional use permits, meaning if certain conditions were met, the use would be allowed. The county approved conditional use permits for a small number of businesses, such as an ani-

mal kennel, a restaurant and a therapeutic massage clinic.

Some vacation rentals were permitted as conditional uses, but there are none that are in compliance with the conditions they were initially approved under, according to Pend Oreille County Com-

munity Development Director Mike Lithgow.

For example, The Inn at the Lake was originally permitted as a bed and breakfast the county believes it has changed to a vacation rental, Lithgow said.

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May 2012 | Lake Life 9

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“The old lodge used to straddle three lots,” he said. The new homes will be setback from the shoreline 25 feet, which is the current standard. The three lots actually extended back across South Shore Road. When there is what is called intervening ownership of property within the lots – such as the road – the lots can be subdivided by administrative action, he said. That is what has happened. The three lots were divided into two lots.

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Possible Diamond Lake algae bloom investigated DIAMOND LAKE – When the weather warmed in early May, people began noticing what appeared to be a huge algae bloom in Diamond Lake. Washington Department Ecology officials said they would ask for samples of the water to determine what is causing the water to cloud. The cloud color ranges from red to green.

Residents were reporting an intense fish smell as well. DOE’s Tricia Shoblom, who works in the department that monitors fresh water algae blooms and tests for potential toxicity, said she had several reports from Diamond Lake of the possible bloom.

It has been reported in all parts of the lake but moves around with the wind.

She said since the weather is warming she has had algae sightings on lakes throughout the state. Algae blooms can be caused by increased nutrients from sewage leaks and other sources. Some forms of the organism can produce toxins, which are harmful to wildlife and humans. The blooms usually only last a few weeks but they can be followed by another.

Once state tests are concluded they will be released to the public. One possible type is Cyanobacteria, formerly called “bluegreen algae” which are relatively simple, primitive life forms.

Sacheen boat launch to get upgrade

Wake zones still on as of mid-May

OLYMPIA – The boat launch at Sacheen Lake will get an upgrade after the state approved $500,000 in capital funding money from the state jobs bill in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will lead the project, hiring a local contractor to do the design and development. Work will involve upgrading the boat launch and replacing the toilets.

The hope is to complete the project this year, but it depends on conditions and the water levels. More detailed plans should be available later this summer.

The public access is on the northeast shore of the lake off of Highway 211.

NEWPORT – Water levels are going down a bit, but a no wake zone remains in effect on Diamond and Sacheen lakes.

The no wake zone can only be taken off by a vote of the county commissioners. They have discussed it at recent meetings, but no action has been taken as of May 15.

The commissioners don’t have specific criteria such as a target lake level for determining when the no wake zone goes on or off.

On the Pend Oreille River there is a set level when it goes on and off. Some have proposed having the same done for the area lakes.

Anglers, fish turn out for opening day DIAMOND LAKE – The official opening of lowland lake fishing started Saturday, April 28.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife checked Diamond Lake in Pend Oreille County that day and 44 anglers were interviewed with 74 fish, 81 released and an overall catch rate of 3.5 fish per angler. The overall harvest rate was 1.68 fish per angler.

WDFW’s creel checkers reported most anglers were happy with the fishing opportunities, information officer Madonna Luers said. It was cold but the sun came out for most of the day with wind picking up in the afternoon. The largest fish reported caught at Diamond was a 21-inch rainbow trout.

Sheriff’s Office responds to calls at lakes DIAMOND LAKE – The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office responded to 177 calls for service in the month of April in the Diamond and Sacheen Lake area. This is up from 159 in March.

The sheriff’s office began boating inspections last month, inspecting a total of 12. They also wrote five boating citations and responded to one boating problem.

There were six reported burglaries. The sheriff’s office arrested two suspects believed to be responsible for four of those burglaries. The other two are still under investigation. Damage was done at both scenes with very little or nothing taken.

A stolen vehicle from Spokane was recovered in the area.

Yard sale benefits Clean Waters DIAMOND LAKE – The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is holding a yard sale to help fund the “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” program. This is your chance to clean out your garage or basement.

Donations will be accepted or collected through June 8. Call 509-998-1121 or 509-9986272 for pickup, or you can drop off your donation at 6034 North Shore Diamond Lake Road. The sale will be held the same day as the Diamond Lake Community yard sale, Saturday, June 9, at 6034 North Shore Diamond Lake Road.

May 2012 | Lake Life 11

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Whether they are required to get a vacation rental permit is one of the legal questions to be decided.

As for enforcement of vacation rental codes, Lithgow said it is complaint driven, meaning if someone complains, the county will look into it.

If you are interested in becoming a vacation rental call the county’s Community “It’s mostly a Development Department life and safety to begin the inspection,” process.

There is a Mike Lithgow pre-inspecPend Oreille Countytion done by the county.

Community “It’s mostly Development a life and Director safety inspection,” Lithgow said.

The inspector is looking at things like fire alarms and entrances and exits.

The inspector will also look at the number of parking spots.

There is a $165 fee for the inspection.

When the property is approved, a $450 vacation rental permit is issued.

The permit is not transferable to a new owner or another location.

The permit is renewed annually at the cost of $125.

Boat inspection station up and running DIAMOND LAKE – The Clean Boats, Clean Waters boat inspection station at Diamond Lake is ready for boating season. The station opened at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat launch on the opening day of fishing season, April 28.

The volunteer-staffed station isn’t in operation full

time yet. Once the season picks up, volunteers wearing their Clean Boats, Clean Waters garb will be on site more often. Eventually, a lake host will have an RV on site 24/7.

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association is running the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program.

President Geri Guinn said they have many volunteers

who were trained by WDFW’s aquatic invasive species biologist.

They’ll ask boaters launching at the site to undergo a voluntary inspection of their vessel, checking for invasive species such as zebra mussels and milfoil. If a contaminated boat is found, a pressure washer is on site to clean the boat.

eryone,” he said. Relocating beavers is far preferable to just killing them, he said.

Lixing Sun is a biology professor at Central Washington University and has written books and papers about beaver.

He said that beavers can be a nuisance but they do serve a valuable ecological function.

He said successful relocation requires some planning.

“The problem is, they don’t always stay where you want them to,” he said.

Kretz can attest to that. A few years ago the state offered to relocate a beaver to his ranch. But the trapping killed one, so there was only one beaver to relocate.

Kretz didn’t think that would work, so he declined and the department offered the beaver to someone else.

Sometime later, Kretz said he saw the beaver again.

“He was walking down the road,” Kretz said. “I’m sure it was the same beaver.”

Sun says beavers need water and food. They eat bark from poplar, willow, aspen and other deciduas trees. They need water that doesn’t flow too fast.

The purpose of a beaver dam is to protect the beaver from predators, Sun said.

“The entrance is always below water,” he said. The dam controls the water level around the beaver lodge, keeping the entrance underwater.

There used to be far more beaver in North America. Before western contact, it is estimated there were 200 million beaver in North America.

Even 30-50 years ago there were significantly more, Sun said.

But agriculture and development have taken a toll on beaver habitat. Before western contact, there were probably tens of millions of beaver in the state.

Today the population of beavers in Washington is estimated to be about 10,000.

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stances. Beavers can be shot or trapped legally, although to trap them, you need a license.

That option – known as lethally removing the beaver – is best left to professionals, Erickson said.

“There are people here in the county who are trappers,” he said.

Another option that may be used more is relocating beavers to areas where they are welcome.

That may happen more often after a law sponsored by 7th District Rep. Joel Kretz, R- Wauconda, goes into effect later this summer.

The law was a result of an unusual partnership between Kretz and the Lands Council, a Spokane environmental organization whose Beaver Solution project has successfully relocated seven beaver families in eastern Washington.

Kretz, not normally known for working with environmentalists, said he recognizes that beavers can be both a nuisance and a benefit.

One of the biggest benefits he sees is the watershed protection that comes from beaver dams. The land retains rain and snowmelt better.

“It acts like a sponge,” he said. The Beaver Solution reintroduces beavers to build dams to store spring runoff. Beaver dams also create wetland areas that retain rain and snowmelt, trap sediment making streams cleaner, increase groundwater levels, and create habitat for fish and wildlife.

Kretz points to the Frazier River Valley in British Columbia, where ranchers wanted to bring in beaver because water tables were drying up.

The beavers were reintroduced and the ranchers got their water back within three or four years, Kretz said.

“To me, that benefits ev-

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Property selling again; prices and quantity down aren’t enough listings yet, she added.

Jones said she thinks both For several decades, Mary buyers and sellers are realAnn Jones has been involved izing that the market might in either the real estate sales be like this for a long time so or construction business in they are ready to buy or sell Pend Oreille after holding on County. It’s “People are looking for and waiting for been her busiseveral years. waterfront. But they do “People are ness to keep tabs on the ups want good buys.” looking for waand downs. terfront,” she -Mary Ann Jones When the real said. “But they estate indusdo want good Broker try put some buys.” statistics out The area recently, it was time to check hasn’t been hit as hard as with Jones to see if they were others with foreclosures, she right. noted, which also means less This month, regional real new property on the market. estate sales statistics were Things are better this year, released and they showed sales she said. were up over the last couple of “Last year everybody was in years, and prices were down. survival mode,” Jones said last Jones confirmed that in week in her Newport office.

Pend Oreille County they are She said the PUD fiber-tofinally selling properties and every-home project will make closing on a regular basis and a big difference in the future. the prices are down at least It will make higher end homes 20 percent from five years on waterfront more attractive ago. One of the factors hinder- to secondary home buys or ing the sales upswing is there other professionals interested

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in rural life.

Jones has two sales agents in her John L. Scott office that live on lakes and have special insights in their areas and property: Angela Newcomb on Sacheen Lake and Dorothy Yeaw on Diamond Lake.

Newcomb said when the sun comes out buyers come out. And this is especially true this year, she Jones added.

The unknown factor around the Sacheen sewer system has hurt sales and values in the past, she said. But with the project mov- Newcomb ing forward she predicts that will change.

Some people prefer Sacheen Lake over Diamond Lake, she said. Sacheen is smaller and qui- Yeaw eter, which some people like.

Newcomb said many buyers who have waited to make offers for a few years because they thought prices would drop even more are starting to realize they won’t. They are ready to buy.

“We are seeing more closings than last year,” she said.

Newcomb said unforeseen things occur to hinder sales like the no wake zones placed on both lakes by the Pend Oreille County commissioners because of unusually high water.

Yeaw also said she is seeing listings on Diamond Lake pick up. Although she says after many years in real estate sales and living on the lake, it is still too early to tell. Many of her listings are secondary lake lots which are very good buys, she said.

Yeaw is noticing an increase in repossessed properties coming on the market, also.

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C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S WEDNESDAY, MAY 23

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.

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Cub Scout Adventure Weekend Cub Scouts will have an adventure family camp at the Cowles Scout Reservation at Diamond Lake with the theme “Mad Scientists.”

SATURDAY, MAY 26

Boating Safety Class Volunteer Charlie Schaefer will lead a free class on boater safety from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Diamond Lake Fire Station on Highway 2. To sign up, contact Kristi Bell at 509-447-4117 or kristibell55@ gmail.com.

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Boy Scouts Wood Badge Training The Boy Scouts of America’s premier adult volunteer training experience will be held May 31 through June 2 and June 14-16 at Cowles Scout Reservation at Diamond Lake. This course is for all scouters and district and council leaders. The Wood Badge focuses

on strengthening every volunteer’s ability to work with groups of youth and adults. The course teaches participants the basics of listening, communicating, valuing people, team development, situational leadership, problem solving, and managing conflict.

JUNE 1, 2, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16

Spring Choral Show Northwoods Performing Arts presents “American Dream: As Time Goes By” at the Circle Moon Theater on Highway 211. The dinner and show cost $20 or show-only tickets are $12, available at Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport or call 208448-1294. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6

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.

Diamond Lake Improvement Association The monthly meeting of the DLIA is held at 6:30 p.m. at the fire station on Highway 2. Visit www. diamondlakewa.org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6

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.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Highway 211 Clean-up The Sacheen Lake Association is

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organizing a highway clean-up. Meet at 8 a.m. at Myers-Harter Sanctuary.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JUNE 9-10

Free Fishing Weekend Washington offers a weekend of fishing with no fishing license required June 9-10.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13

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 a the Spokane County Conservation District office, 210 N. Havana. 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.

JUNE 16

Sacheen Lake Association Annual Meeting The Sacheen Lake Association will hold it annual meeting at the Sacheen Lake Fire Station at 10 a.m.

JUNE 17-23

Boy Scouts Japeechen Rendezvous Scouts age 14 and older will spend a week at Camp Cowles camping, eating, sleeping and working like they would have in the 1830s. They’ll travel back to the 1825 Hudson Bay Company’s trapper camp located on the farthest end of Diamond Lake: Japeechen.

During the same time, the National Youth Leadership Training will take place.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20

Diamond Lake Water and Sewer The water sewer board will have their second meeting of the month at 10 a.m. in the District Office, 172 South Shore Road.

THURSDAY, JUNE 21

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South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue The fire district that covers Diamond and Sacheen lakes as well as the Deer Valley, Camden and Fertile Valley areas meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Station 31, 325272 Highway 2, Diamond Lake.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

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Boating Safety Class A boating safety class will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sacheen Lake Fire Station on Highway 211. To register, contact Linda Walters at 509-447-0446.

Fertile Valley Road Clean-up The Sacheen Lake Association is organizing a roadside clean-up on Fertile Valley Road. Meet at the Myers-Harter Sanctuary at 9 a.m.