CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES March 2011
Volume 6, Issue 1
EDITOR’S NOTE This is the latest issue of Chimney Rock Chronicles, brought to you by The Newport and Gem State Miner Newspapers. Anyone with comments, suggestions or submissions is encouraged to contact our offices at 509-4472433, e-mail theminer@povn. com or mail to P.O. Box 349 Newport, WA 99156. The Miner staff enjoys producing this quarterly newsletter, as it gives us a chance to focus on what is happening around Priest Lake. We maintain our unbiased point of view and want to focus on news stories and events that affect the commuMINER PHOTO|JANELLE ATYEO nity of Priest Lake. If you would like to receive a subscription to this newsletter, contact us by the above informa- Chris Coon of Newport enjoys a cross country trip at Indian Creek Campground at Priest Lake Saturday, Feb. 28. tion. Pat Akins, owner of the Leonard Paul Store at Coolin, said there is tons of fresh snow above 3,500 feet at the lake -Michelle Nedved, Editor and there is plenty of snow down at the lake level for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing.
Not spring yet
Find Chimney Rock Chronicles online at The Miner Online
www.pendoreillerivervalley.com
Photograph compliments of Tom Holman Northwest Images
Grizzly habitat protected Acquisition Secures Habitat, Consolidates Ownership NORDMAN – Nearly 500 acres west of Priest Lake, in an area known as Bismark Meadows, is being protected for grizzly bears. The Vital Ground Foundation, a Missoula-based grizzly bear protection group, announced Jan. 6 that it has acquired an additional 327 acres of crucial grizzly bear habitat at Bismark Meadows. This is the organization’s fourth project at the mead-
ows, and brings a total of 491 contiguous acres of lowland seasonal grizzly bear habitat under Vital Ground ownership and management at that location. To compliment the latest acquisition, the sellers also granted a conservation covenant limiting subdivision and development on an additional 20 acres at the edge of the meadows. Located just west of Priest Lake, Bismark Meadows is a 1,100-acre complex of SEE GRIZZLY, 4
Idaho roadless plan upheld WASHINGTON D.C. – The Idaho District Court in Boise Monday upheld Idaho’s Roadless Rule created in 2006 by then-Gov. Jim Risch. It lays out five management themes for Idaho’s 9.3 million roadless acres based on local and statewide input. The plan was challenged by environmental groups. Idaho has the largest and most diverse amount of land in the lower 48 states impacted by a 2001 nationwide roadless rule adopted by the Clinton administration. In 2005, the SEE ROADLESS, 4
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 2
2011
Grazing may be phased out at Four Corners BY JANELLE ATYEO OF THE MINER
SANDPOINT – With the area becoming more residential, grazing may be phased out at the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s Four Corners allotment along Highway 57 north of Priest River. It’s part of the changes proposed in the IPNF’s Priest Lake Grazing Allotments Project. Acres set aside for grazing at two other allotments off of Highway 57 near Priest Lake may shrink, according to the plan. A environmental analysis for the project was released Thursday, Feb. 10, starting a 30-day comment period. Sandpoint District Ranger Richard Kramer is proposing to reduce the size of the Lamb Creek and Moores Creek acreages and phase out grazing at Four Corners over the next four years. People spoke out about grazing at Four Corners when comments were collected in 2006, saying livestock often wandered off National Forest land. The Forest Service considered fencing the area, but it would be expensive and would dramatically reduce
the forage acres. Currently, up to 83 cow/calf pairs may be grazed between June 1 and Sept. 1 on the 2,006 acres of the Four Corners allotment. Those numbers would stay the same this year, according to the plan, but starting in 2012, head counts would be reduced by 25 percent per year until there is no grazing there in 2015. IPNF officials said they have spoken with the permitee, Sharon Tibbetts. The Miner was not able to reach Tibbetts in time to comment on this story. At Lamb Creek and Moores Creek, acreages would be reduced between 35 and 37 percent under the plan. The allowable head amounts would stay the same on each lot, and the grazing season would go unchanged. The largest allotment at Lamb Creek, west of Luby Bay, the 6,181 acres set aside for grazing would be reduced to 3,911. From June trough October, 25 cow/calf pairs are allowed. Moorse Creek, located south of Gleason Meadow, would be reduced from 2,984 to 1,925
Tree-thinning project in the plans SANDPOINT – The Idaho Panhandle National Forest is planning to thin or prune about 5,200 acres of sapling-sized stands of white pine. The U.S. Forest Service is currently developing a proposal for the project. This is a long-range project. The thinning work would be done over five to 10 years, said Jeffrey Pennick from the Sandpoint Ranger District. Work will probably start this summer. Many of the stands are in the Priest Lake area. Others are south of Lake Pend Oreille, north of Clark Fork and north of
Bonners Ferry. According to the project summary, the juvenile stands were established through planting and natural reforestation. Thinning near Priest Lake would be done at the Copper Mountain, Mad Lamb, Paqua, Klahowya, North Galena, East Lamb, Murray Creek, Flat Creek, Ojibway, Lower Quartz, Peewee Puzzle and Castro areas. Pennick explained that funding for these types of thinning projects is getting more and more scarce, so the forest needs to have a plan ready for when funding arrives.
COURTESY MAP|IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST
The Priest Lake Grazing Allotments plan calls for phasing out grazing at Four Corners, which has become more residential over the years. Allotments at Moores Creek and Lamb Creek would be reduced in size.
acres, according to the plan. The current 31 cow/calf pairs would be allowed from mid-May to mid-September. The Forest Service has proposed adding a cattle guard on Forest Road 639 at Lamb Creek. To protect the stream there, the approaches to the stream crossing may be hardened. The water quality there is at risk due to elevated temperature, according to the environmental analysis. Two new fences may be constructed at Moores Creek to keep cows out of the creek. Three grazing areas that were part of the Priest Lake allotments – Boswell and the Upper and Lower Squaw Valley – were removed from
the project in 2008 when it was decided they were no longer providing viable grazing. Part of Boswell, the Hammond Ranch Pasture, was closed at the end of the last grazing season. Send comments to the Sandpoint Ranger District, Priest Lake Grazing Allotments Project, 1500 Highway 2, Suite 110, Sandpoint, ID 83864; fax to 208265-6670 or submit electronically at comments-northernidpanhandle-sandpoint@fs.fed. us with Priest Lake Grazing Allotments Project in the subject line. For more information, contact Nancy Kertis at 208-263-5111 or nkertis@fs.fed.us. Reports on the project are available at http:// fs.usda.gov/goto/ipnf/projects.
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
Who to contact Coolin Sewer District
(208) 443-2034 Address: P.O. Box 86, Coolin, ID 83821 Provides sewer services in a portion of the Coolin and Cavanaugh Bay areas. Board meets first Tuesday, 8 a.m. at the district office on Eastside Road. Board members: chairman Chris Warren, vice chairman Stuart Wagner, Gene Nett, Gordon Cook and Dan Mack. Secretary Mary Meek; Maintenance Chris Morris.
Kalispell Bay Sewer District
(208) 443-2338 P.O. Box 517, Nordman, ID 83848 Runs from Indian Rock up to Hill’s Resort, plus a portion of the Luby Bay Road. Board meets at Kalispell Bay Sewer District Office at 7:30 a.m. on the second Monday of the month unless otherwise posted per Idaho Open Meeting Law. Board members: chairman Russ Coykendall, Tom McDonough, Jim Anderson, Gary Rudie and Roger Bonneau. Secretary Debra Nolen; Maintenance Tom Holman.
PAGE 3
2011
Priest Lake welcomes new district ranger PRIEST LAKE – The Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest has a new district ranger. Glenn Klingler arrived at Priest Lake Feb. 14 to replace DeWayne Thornburgh, who served as a deputy district ranger. Klingler’s arrival signals a shift in leadership of the Priest Lake Ranger District from a deputy district ranger supervised by the district ranger in Sandpoint to a full district ranger working directly for the forest supervisor. “I wanted to come to Priest Lake because it feels like a good fit for me,” Klingler said. “I feel fortunate to come to such a beautiful place, and I’m looking forward to working with the local community.”
Klingler comes to North Idaho from the Coronado National Forest in southern Arizona where he served as a wildlife biologist. Klingler is originally from Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management from Ohio State University in 1989. Klingler has been a wildlife biologist for 21 Klinger years while working for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Natural Resources. During his career, he has lived and worked in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado, Michigan, South Carolina and Arizona.
Outlet Bay Sewer District
(208) 443-3831 Address: 149 Outlet Bay Road, Priest Lake, ID 83856 Provides sewer services in portions of the Outlet Bay and Lamb Creek areas. Board meets the third Thursday, but call for exact date and time. Board members: chairman Richard Hamm, Lana Feldman, James Phelps, Jim Hoagland and Greg Bradbury. Field Manager: Fritz Broschet; Office Manager: Kari Davis.
Coolin-Cavanaugh Bay Fire Protection/District
(208) 443-3118 Address: P.O. Box 6, Coolin ID 83821. Fire emergencies: 911 Serves east side of Priest Lake with fire station at Coolin. Commissioners: Bob Johns and Forrest Jackson. The commissioners meet quarterly, usually the first month of the quarter. Business number: (208) 443-3205; Manager: Diane Munk.
West Priest Lake Fire District
Fire emergencies: 911 West side of Priest Lake, from Kokanee Trailer Park to Distillery Bay, with fire stations at Kalispell Bay and Nordman. Business: (208) 993-1825; 4777 West Lakeshore Road, Priest Lake ID 83856 Fire Chief: Tim Ventress; Commissioners: Craig Hill, Tom Bell and Bill Bushman. Commissioners meet as needed.
Granite-Reeder Water & Sewer District
(208) 443-2550 (chairman) Address: P.O. Box 456, Nordman, ID 83848 Board meets first Wednesday of the month, usually at 6 p.m. at Copper Bay Construction Company. Board members: chairman Vince Aguirre, Don Pratt, Ken Hagman, Dave Current and Bruce Yocum.
Sled dogs races at Priest Lake MINER PHOTO|PANDI GRUVER
Jill Wilson of Athol and her team of purebred Siberian huskies turned in their fastest time ever in the six-dog sprint class at the Priest Lake Sled Dog Race, held Feb. 5-6 at Priest Lake. The team is pictured here finishing their 5.7-mile run Saturday, Feb. 5.
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 4
Planning commission approves broadband tower
ROADLESS | Bush administration rescinded the rule and allowed states to petition the U.S. Forest Service to develop rules to manage roadless areas with variations as opposed to the blanket regulation in the Clinton Rule. “I believe this decision closes the chapter on a 40-year controversy and validates a new model for resolving natural resource issues across the West,” Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter said in a news release. Idaho’s plan was developed after 16 public meetings and thousands of comments by Idahoans. Its management themes
include: wild land recreation, primitive, backcountry, and general forest, plus a “special areas” category to preserve important tribal and historical sites. “The themes developed represent the diversity that is found within the areas defined as roadless,” Risch said. “Rather than a one-size-fits-all plan that changes with each new administration, we have a plan that will manage these areas not only for forest health, but for people to hunt, fish, hike and for motorized users on appropriate parcels. This is a common sense approach that benefits the land and all Idahoans.”
species. Conservation groups opposed the project, concerned with how the road building and thinning would affect grizzlies. There were discrepancies in plans for reducing impact on grizzly bears, as pointed out after a review by the Priest Riverbased Selkirk Conservation Alliance. The Panhandle Forest has acknowledged the concerns are legitimate and said they will be addressed, according to the Selkirk Conservation Alliance winter newsletter. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation via the Northwest Wildlife Conservation Initiative, Resources Legacy Fund, William H. Donner Foundation and Oberweiler Foundation provided funding for Vital Ground’s land conservation project. Additional support for the organization’s Bismark Meadows projects has come from the Wiancko Charitable Trust, Johnson Family Foundation, Qureshi Family Foundation, Shared Earth Foundation, Richard K. & Shirley S. Hemingway
Foundation, First Interstate Bank, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, and numerous individual donors. The organization is exploring opportunities to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to complete habitat restoration and enhancement activities on Vital Ground’s Bismark Meadows holdings during upcoming years. The Vital Ground Foundation is a tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable organization working to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of grizzly bears, together with the many native species that share their range, through the protection and restoration of core habitats and landscape linkages. Since its founding in 1990, Vital Ground has helped to protect and enhance nearly 600,000 acres of habitat crucial to grizzly and other wildlife in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, and British Columbia.
FROM PAGE 1
SANDPOINT – The Bonner County Planning Commission approved a broadband tower at Priest Lake during its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 11. Planning director Clare Marley said the board approved the conditional use permit unanimously. Public comment came from one neighbor who was concerned about her view, Marley said. The decision is final unless appealed. In that case, it would go before the county commissioners. Jeff Berglund and Brian
Seymour sought the permit to install the lattice-type tower for broadband, highspeed Internet service. The site is zoned Suburban and is located about 25 miles north of Priest River, west of Highway 57 off Williams Drive and Lark Lane in Section 36, Township 60 North, Range 5 West, B.M. The tower will be located on Lot 1 of Lark Lane Plat. Construction and access roads would be placed on Lots 1 and 2 of Lark Lane and Lot 3, Block 2 of Green Acres 1st Addition.
2011
GRIZZLY | FROM PAGE 1
meadows and wetlands that features an array of rare flora and fauna. It supports several endangered plant species and provides habitat for moose, elk, deer, black bear, westslope cutthroat trout, and eagles, as well as the threatened Selkirk Mountains grizzly population. The project area lies within the Selkirk Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone delineated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Research by state and federal agencies indicates that only 5060 grizzlies persist in the entire 2,200-square-mile Selkirk Mountain Ecosystem, which includes portions of northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and southern British Columbia. Observations suggest that at least four and as many as eight Selkirk grizzlies have been using Bismark Meadows for foraging habitat during recent spring seasons. “The greatest threat to wildlife today is human intru-
sion into their habitat,” Vital Ground’s executive director Gary Wolfe said in a news release. “Our conservation projects in Bismark Meadows provide an increasingly rare wild refuge for imperiled animals and plants in a growing sea of development.” As the surrounding Selkirk Mountains are often snowbound until early June, grizzlies must seek food in lower elevations when they emerge from hibernation. “This makes the meadowlands vitally important for the bears,” Wolfe said. “Without continued access to these and other low elevation food sources in spring and again in autumn, the Selkirk population may fail.” The Idaho Panhandle National Forest is planning a forest thinning project in the Bismark Meadows area. The Lakeview-Reeder hazardous fuels reduction project is on hold while the U.S. Forest Service reevaluates for certain indicator
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 5
2011
“Our Variety Shows” Sporting Goods Clothing • Shoes Toys • Gifts • Crafts Greeting Cards Household Goods
Priest Lake’s Portait Expert
Keith Currie Photography
www.keithcurriephoto.com • 509-294-4078 by appointment only
North Idaho Security Business & Residential Serving Priest Lake for over 15 years
(208) 443-3309
email: tomholman@live.com
N
Ben Franklin 208-437-4822 • Oldtown, Idaho Mon.-Sat. 9-7 • Sun. 10-6
Serving the Priest Lake Area
Priest River Heating & Cooling
• Service • Gas Piping • Remodels (208) 448-1923 • New Install • Fireplaces & Stoves • Venting & Duct Systems
SELF FLOATING DOCK SYSTEMS
kes Dock & B ern L a arg h t e or Kevin Hansen (208) 437-2004 • (208) 290-2319
DOCKS -NEW & REBUILD PILE DRIVING WATER FRONT ENHANCEMENT RIPRAP/ SAND & GRAVEL CRANE WORK BARGE SERVICE
Call for a Site Survey Dock Installation and Maintenance PWC Ports Custom Ramp Fabrication
Contact your authorized EZ Dock & Sunstream Boat Lift Dealer Today
Chimney Rock Chronicles Now Available
FREE Online At: pendoreillerivervalley.com
“The last dock you’ll ever need!”
KNIGHT EZ DOCK
Deer Park, WA 1-800-654-8168 www.ezdock.com
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 6
2011
PCHOENIX ONSTRUCTION
“Quality at Affordable Prices”
(208) 290-3866 • Barney www.phoenixconstructioncollc.net
Terrene Mack, Broker 208-443-6052 Office 208-610-3634 Cell 208-906-8551 FAX
When it’s time to enjoy the rustic luxury of Idaho’s Crown Jewel,Priestt Lake Real has the intimate knowledge to guide you to your personal paradise. dise Realty
$212,000
www.DiscoverPriestLake.com $749,900
Totally turn key home only a quick trail to the lake! This 3bd/2bth home is completely furnished to the max DEEDED - Waterfront on the Outlet of and features a large entertaining Priest Lake. Large home, lots of garage deck and a 2 car attached garage. space, hot tub and nicely landscaped
$595,000
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE DEEDED waterfront 2 bed/1.5 bath 50x286, sandy beach!
$198,500
Price to sell on Kalispell Bay Rd. Large Mfd home & huge shop
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 7
2011
PRIEST LAKE ELECTRIC Your Local Full Service Electrician New Construction & Remodels Residential & Commercial
Call us for all your Electrical needs Serving all of North Idaho Lance von Marbod, Property Specialist Licensed in both WA & ID Can help with all your Real Estate needs in the Priest Lake, Priest River & Surrounding Areas
509-990-8241 Cell 888-449-2771 Fax lance@nwoutdoorproperties.com www.nwoutdoorproperties.com
208-443-6075 or 208-597-2225 LISENCED & BONDED • INSURED • LIC# C293611
Thirteen years ago we introduced poly docks to the Northwest. Now we’ve moved up to “ShoreMaster”
4 Times Better Dock
• Better looking Sand Stone Color • More stable in water • Sturdier Deck Surface • Better Design Feature Sandstone Colored Patio Look 4’6’8’10’ • More stable (w/uncle Harold’s) anchoring system “Included for the same cost” (509) 466-7107 • (509) 981-3600 (cell) Spokane (208) 687-9333 • (208) 755-5213 (cell) Idaho
SPRING CABINS 50% OFF
info@ElkinsResort.com www.ElkinsResort.com
RESTAURANT RE-OPENS APRIL 30TH
CALL FOR DETAILS
208.443.2432
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES
PAGE 8
2011
Kennedy’s Plumbing Inc.
Serving North Idaho Commercial & Residential New Construction Remodel Service & Repair
208-443-0250 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured
B & D Construction, Inc New Construction Remodeling Trex Pro Deck Installers 30 Tweedie Road, Blanchard • 208-437-4121
We’re proud to be a supplier of quality local timber & building products PROUDLY SERVING YOU SINCE 1990
Your Full Service Home Center 520 Hwy 2, Oldtown, Idaho • (208) 437-3153 • (800) 676-3153
CHIMNEY ROCK CHRONICLES Pick Your Color Prep Your Walls Paint Your Place
$
PAGE 9
2011
Floral Traditions
2299 gal.
YOUR LOCAL FULL SERVICE FLORIST
$25.99 $25.99 $26.99
$
2499
Weddings, Tuxedo Rentals, Flowers, Plants, Gifts, Spokandy Chocolates, Balloons, & Delivery 208-448-2611 • 866-973-7673 Timberling Shopping Center 1204 W. Albeni Hwy • Priest River
Volunteers Needed!
gal.
$26.99 $27.99
“YOUR HOMETOWN DIFFERENCE”
Next To The Oldtown Bridge, Oldtown, Idaho (208) 437-5669
• Exquisite Floral Design
West Priest Lake Fire District needs permanent and part time resident volunteers. For more information contact Chief Ventress (208) 443-2889
65 years of Excellence • 1946 - 2011
Celebrate with us!
A trusted name in building for over 30 years • custom home building
• design assistance
• conscientious site development
• marine construction
• renovations
www.copperbayconstruction.com (208) 443-2193 • Fax (208) 443-2841 799 Hagman Road, Norman, ID 83848
Mother’s Day Weekend Father’s Day Weekend June 26th Hill’s Priest Lake Golf Tournament July 4th Fireworks in Luby Bay
Wednesdays July and August Sushi Night and Mike Wagoner Kidstock - July 17th Priest lake Yacht Club BBQ - Sept. 4
Restaurant opens daily May 13th for 2011 season
Accommdations rented weekly and nightly. Call 208-443-2551 • Visit www.hillsresort.com Visit our lake cam daily
Chimney Rock Chronicles March 2011
LifeStyle Real Estate Real Estate sales at Priest Lake have surpassed the limits this year! If you are considering selling, give us a call. . . .
LIFESTYLE REAL ESTATE Priest Lake Exclusively! 208-443-2634 lisa@priestlake.com
Lisa Thaler 208-661-3154 (Cell) www.priestlake.com
Reproduction of articles & photographs is prohibited without permission from The Newport and Gem State Miner publisher.
RETURN ADDRESS: The Miner P.O. Box 349 Newport, WA 99156