May lake life 2015

Lake Life

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

Celebrating Life at Diamond Lake and Sacheen Lake

Volume 4, Issue 2

May 2015

Summer is here Boat safely

Weather forcast for this summer Produced by The Miner Newspapers

Watch for weeds

EDITOR’S NOTE

Official launch of summer season

L

ife on the lake is getting underway, with Memorial Day the official start of the summer season. The area has been graced with some pretty fantastic weather so far this season, and it sounds like there’s more to come, according to our Climatologist Bob Lutz – but we may be in for some surprises too.

With the warmer weather comes the increased chance of wildland fires. Fire Chief Mike Nokes is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer some time to learning to fire about fighting wildfires, just in case. It’s an opportunity to help out your volunteer fire district without having to commit too much time.

Boating safety is always a priority on the lake. Our sheriff’s marine division has some tips to stay safe, and our area is home to the regional boating Educator of the Year – nominated by two states.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Lake Life – and we hope you enjoy life on the lake.

-MCN

Published: May 2015 General Manager: Michelle Nedved Writers & editors: Don Gronning and Desireé Hood Design: Pandi Gruver and Michelle Nedved Advertising: Lindsay Guscott, Cindy Boober and Beth Gokey

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LAKE LIFE is published monthly in April, May, June, July and August as a supplement to The Newport Miner and Gem State Miner, 421 S. Spokane, Newport WA 99156.

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Available May 18 - June 30, 2015.

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The good, bad and beautiful

By Desireé Hood Of The Miner

DIAMOND LAKE – Most people think that living on the lake is a dream come true. Then they buy a piece of land to live out the dream, only to find that every dream comes with a couple of unknown negatives.

Residents of Diamond Lake discussed with The Miner the positives and negatives of living on the beautiful lake.

Most of the discussion was positive, with few negatives to be found.

Michele and Rick Laush sat on the beach Tuesday evening, May 19, and felt like they owned the entire lake. No boats were to be seen and nobody was around. The birds were flying across the scenery, looking for their dinner, and life was happy and serene. “(The water) was like glass,” Michele said.

However, the couple realizes that after Memorial Day weekend, it will be Miner photo|Desireé Hood a different place completely. Boats will Fishermen dot the landscape on Diamond Lake, Wednesday, May fill the lake and families come vaca20, a familiar scene to area residents. The lake will start to see tion. Friends and family start visiting more activity following Memorial Day weekend. more often for a “weekend getaway” and children run along the beach squealing with joy that the summer has arrived.

Michele said, and the lake is frozen over with “Most people want to go to the lake on no reflections to be seen. The lake is quiet, weekends,” Rick said, adding they don’t have a which is a rarity in the spring and summer, place to “getaway” on the weekends. the couple said.

“We are already here,” Michele said.

When the snow melts and the lake is no The couple bought the house on Diamond longer frozen, Rick said he anxiously awaits Lake in 1990, and moved to the lake full time the spring to come. The sunsets are beautiful in 2007. Rick commutes to Spokane currently and the birds start fishing. The flowers start to for work and enjoys the commute for the time bloom and the grandchildren come visit. being.

“We have this special place they want to The views from their front yard look out over come,” Michele said.

Diamond Lake. They sit in lawn chairs and See good, 14 enjoy the views during their downtime. Rick said living on the lake is 95 Copper • Brass • Aluminum Scrap metal PRICES percent positive and 5 percent Stainless • Aluminum Cans have not been this are inconveniences.

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By Desireé Hood Of The Miner

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NEWPORT – Charlie Schaefer, a Newport resident, was given a regional Boating Educator of the Year award, May 12 in Bend, Ore. “I wish we had 100 Charlie Schaefers to help teach boating education,” said Wade Alonzo, Boating Law Administrator with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. “He’s energetic, passionate and resourceful … that’s a pretty tough combination to beat.”

Schaefer said he was overwhelmed when they called his name.

“This was the most impressive thing,” Schaefer said.

“I’ve never had people stand up and applaud like they did.”

The Western States Boating Administration Association (WSBAA) Boating Educator

Courtesy photo|Mitch Strobl

WSBAA President Ron Jendro, left, Charlie Schaefer and Director of Customer Relations for Boat Ed Mitch Strobl stand together after Schaefer won regional 2015 WSBAA Boating Educator of the Year.

of the Year award is given to three regional winners, who then compete for national awards in September. The regional award winners were chosen by WSBAA, with 18

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states as members. All states submitted a nominee. Boat Ed is the sponsor of the award.

“This year, Charlie was jointly nominated by Washington and Idaho – the first time that this has occurred in WSBAA’s history,” Alonzo said. He nominated Schaefer for Washington State.

“As winner of the western region, Charlie will be flown, expenses paid by BoaterExam, to the NASBLA national conference in Witchita, Kan.,” Alonzo said.

Schaefer has been a boat safety instructor in Washington since 2008. In Washington, more than 1,300 students have been through his boating safety course since 2008 when Washington passed a law requiring boaters to take the class. He was certified in the state in 2007.

He has been a safety instructor in Idaho since 1991, and has taught more than 1,100 students the Boat Idaho safety course.

“Charlie is a shared resource between Washington and Idaho,” Alonzo said. “He is an asset to the citizens of See AWARD, 14

Fragrant water lily spectacular, harmful

By Sharon L. Sorby Coordinator, Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Control Board

Fragrant water lily will begin its bloom period shortly.

Although a spectacular sight, with white or bright pink flowers dotting large round leaves floating on the water’s surface, infestations are harmful to many of the values we hold dear for living on the water.

Water lily infestations reduce habitat for many aquatic

is not possible.

We are happy to assist landowners who wish to undertake similar action. Another option includes faithfully pulling the leaves as they appear throughout the season. If this option is chosen, it is neces-

Wolf says. .

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sary to have the “Blue Book” – “Aquatic Weeds and Fish” onsite as it constitutes your permit to perform the work.

Books are available from our office. It’s also important to wear gloves with any noxious weed removal project.

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organisms, fish and native plants. They also interfere with many recreational activities, listed as second only to milfoil in being problematical.

There are several infestations of water lily on Diamond and Sacheen lakes. If allowed to continue without addressing these populations, these infestations will continue to increase until they fill all available sites. Such an infestation level will make boating, paddling, swimming and fishing unsafe to impossible.

The Weed Board has treated a small infestation about a half mile down the West Branch of the Little Spokane River. The treatment proved effective, but without funding, a more comprehensive project

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Wildland firefighting training in June

By Chief Mike Nokes South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue

Whenever I speak to groups after a presentation I always take time and let them know how we are constantly recruiting new volunteer members.

This year, before Nokes summer South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue is looking to add members who would like to volunteer to help fight wildland fires.

The volunteer fire service is very different than any other volunteer agency when it comes to trying to attract new members. The biggest concern we hear is the time commitment it takes to become a structural firefighter or an EMT. It takes a lot of time for initial training and to keep your skills up. We can never have enough people to fill those positions and we are always looking for the amazing people who freely give their time to learn these skills and provide this incredibly valuable service to their communities.

Our fire district is unique in the sense that we know not everybody can or wants to be trained in every aspect of the fire service. So we seek all types of members. We have members who only do EMS, some only drive the apparatus, some fight fires and some who mix and match what works for them.

That’s why we are seeking able-bodied people who would be interested in fighting See HELP, 12

WEATHER BABBLE

Strange weather patterns

By Bob Lutz Climatologist

SACHEEN LAKE – In a world full of acronyms, I thought I would throw one more at you – PDO. No, this does not stand for Prairie Dog Obsession or Paranoid Lutz Desolate Opossums – No – It stands for Pacific Decadal Oscillation.

This is by no means a new phenomenon for us here in the Northwest, but it is a major player in our weather patterns.

For some reason however, this phenomenon continues to elude the main stream media, but what issue of importance does not elude the main stream media?

Oh, I guess I should tell you what PDO is and does. Well, in laymen’s terms, it is a cyclical warming and cooling of the waters in the Gulf of Alaska and surrounding Eastern Pacific, along with the waxing and waning of the stronger ocean currents. What is of keen interest right now is an unusually large area of warm water that is lurking just off the West Coast.

It’s believed that this particular area of warm water is being caused by that stubborn area of high pressure ridge that has been stalled off the coast for the past year in one form or another. That ridge has strong subsiding airflows which causes a lack of precipitation over the eastern Pacific. That, combined with the absence of any significant winds to churn the waters, has apparently led to an unprecedented warming of the ocean waters.

In fact, its warmth runs about 300 feet deep, which is making for a bunch of upset sea lions, as the warm water

is leaving little grub for them to eat. (Yeah, that would make me mad too!)

On a more serious note, that warm water might just be playing a major role in the current drought over the Southwest.

In addition, it may mean a continuation of some strange weather here in the Northwest.

D S

El Nino (warming in the equatorial Pacific) seems to be a non-player in our patterns this time around as it is weaker than a sloth in hibernation.

Thing is, at least with El Nino, we would see a light at the end of the tunnel, but with the See weather, 10

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Due process claim ready, federal judge rules

By Don Gronning Of The Miner

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NEWPORT – The Friends of Moon Creek, a group that is suing the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, the state and the county in federal court over unwanted herbicide spraying in 2012, has a due process claim that is rightfully in federal court and ready to be heard, a federal judge wrote in a May 13 opinion.

“Plaintiff’s claim for violation of Due Process is ripe,” Senior U.S. Judge Justin L. Quackenbush wrote. He wrote that there is a question of fact whether Plaintiffs received letters sent by Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Board Control Coordinator Sharon

Sorby, but they were not sent by certified mail and no dispute over whether it was required that notice be sent

‘One does not think of an “emergency” situation spanning three years.’

Senior U.S. Judge Justin L. Quackenbush by certified mail.

“It is undisputed fact that the notice sent did not comply with the requirements of RCW 17.10.170, and the court finds that such compliance was required,” Quackenbush

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wrote.

Quackenbush granted in part and denied in part motions from both sides seeking summary judgments. The result is the case is moving forward, with a scheduling conference June 11.

Quackenbush also denied DLIA’s motion to have the case dismissed in a May 13 ruling.

Quackenbush questioned whether the high water at Diamond Lake really was an emergency.

“The evidence is not clear, or undisputed, that an emergency situation existed,” Quackenbush wrote. DLIA’s claims that there was an actual emergency because of high lake levels in 2011, 2012 and 2013 suggest that it was not an emergency.

“One does not think of an ‘emergency’ situation spanning three years,” he wrote.

Quackenbush dismissed a taking without just compensation claim by the Friends of Moon Creek. He wrote that they had not demonstrated that compensation in state court was unavailable.

Quackenbush also wrote that Sorby was a “state actor” and that the spraying constituted a state action. He said as such, she was personally immune from liability of the state’s trespass laws.

Quackenbush wrote that Sorby, acting on the request of the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, planned an herbicide application on weeds in the west end of the lake in July 2012.

She sent out notices June 12, 2012, by regular mail that herbicide would be applied by backpack sprayer the week of See moon, 9

MOON | From Page 8

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June 18, probably on June 22.

Quackenbush ruled the law requires the notices be sent by certified mail.

They spraying didn’t happen then, it happened July 6.

The only notice sent then was by email on July 5.

Quackenbush wrote that landowners with noxious weeds, such as was the case with the Friends of Moon Creek, had two options. They could eliminate the weeds themselves, at their own expense, or they could allow the county to do it and reimburse the county.

A landowner may presumably choose to take control measures in order to maintain some measure of oversight on the remediation efforts, Quackenbush wrote. He said the Friends of Moon Creek were not given that opportunity.

In an earlier order filed in February, Quackenbush denied a motion for summary judgment by the attorney for Phil Anderson, Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Quackenbush wrote that if there is a disputed fact, summary judgment cannot be granted.

The Moon Creek case involves a dispute between Diamond Lake residents who were trying to lower unusually high water and residents along the outlet at the south end of the lake who object to spraying herbicide on reed canary grass and breaching the new beaver dams.

It names the Diamond Lake Improvement Association, the Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Control Board coordinator Sharon Sorby and Phil Anderson, Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Diamond Lake Improvement Association says that the canary grass has choked the outlet and caused high lake See moon, 9

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WEATHER | From Page 7

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current situation out in the Eastern Pacific, that tunnel is only getting darker and deeper.

These warm pools of water are slow-moving, and leave little clue as to what lies ahead.

And just to make things even more interesting, that warmer water seems to be moving even closer to the West Coast. Oh and if that wasn’t enough, let’s add an erupting underwater volcano to the mix.

This particular volcano named Axial Seamount is part of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the northeast Pacific. It rises to a depth of 1,400 meters (4,593/ ft) below sea level and is located approximately 300 miles off the coast of Oregon. Now I’m not sure how much “heat” from this beast is translating to the surface, but I’m sure it is not helping matters any – that is unless you’re into diving for some pre-cooked crab on the ocean floor.

The real world effects from these particular events have essentially remained unchanged since late 2013, sort of like a persistent mosquito out to steal your red blood cells. However, unlike that mosquito which can be slapped upside its head, this pattern has no timeframe for conclusion, and I suspect it will be slow to wane.

So with all that said, it’s time to get to the meat of this article, which is the weather outlook for the rest of the spring and summer months – can I get a drum roll please …

(Do I hear crickets?) Yep! Yes, it’s that uncertain. A busted winter forecast has left us a little gun-shy, or should I say storm-shy. Truth be known, we are in uncharted territory with the current situation in the eastern Pacific.

Even so, pattern recognition from the past 18 months tells me that our spring and sumSee WEATHER, 11

MOON | From Page 9

levels and damage to lakeshore property. They have been doing the work under a state hydraulics permit from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The plaintiffs – a nine-member group called The Friends of Moon Creek – contend they did not receive adequate notice of the herbicide spraying by the county and that their property was trespassed upon and damaged.

The lawsuit asks the judge to prohibit future conduct with an injunction, acknowledge the constitutional, statutory and regulatory rights of the Moon Creek plaintiffs and award costs and fees, including attorney’s fees.

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WEATHER | From Page 10

mer will likely be very similar to last year, though there seems to be a tendency on the surface for it to be a little drier.

Having said that though, there is a possibility that as the warm pool of Pacific water moves closer to the West Coast, that it may generate some much needed precipitation over land.

If this comes to fruition, some areas might see a wetter than normal summer. In addition, if hot air masses from the desert southwest do in fact invade our area like they did last summer, it would likely serve to fuel more severe thunderstorms at times as well. So like I said, there are certainly no cut and dried indicators on our summer season this year, so be prepared for anything.

In my next issue of Weather Babble, I’ll discuss the role that rodents (yes rodents) play in weather forecasting.

May 2015 | Lake Life 11

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Marine patrols will conduct random on-water inspections

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As the 2015 boating season officially kicks off Memorial Day weekend, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Division will be on the water to ensure everyone is boating in a safe and responsible manner. Marine Patrol Deputies will be conducting random on-water boat inspections to make sure boaters are in compliance with state and local laws. Some key areas deputies will be focusing on during these inspections is compliance with Life Jacket and Wash-

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See MARINE, 13

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September. The last part of this commitment is when you are available if we get dispatched to a wildland fire and you respond with us.

We feel this will accomplish a couple things. One we hope people who have always considered being a part of the fire district but have chosen not to because of time commitments will give this easy-to-achieve volunteer position a chance and join to try it out. Also this will increase our local manpower to help fight wildland fires.

Being a 99 percent volunteer agency, the more people we have trained and available the more likely we are to have people available in an emergency.

No one truly knows how each year’s fire season will play out. We feel it is best to be as prepared as possible and that is why we would like to strengthen our local response capabilities.

If you are interested in answering the call, and respond to wildland fires please contact us right away for we will be doing this training in June.

If you are ready to join or have questions, please contact us at 509-447-5305 or online at www.spofr.org.

WHO TO CONTACT 509-447-4119 District 1: Karen Skoog, member (2016) District 2: Mike Manus, vice chairman (2018) District 3: Steve Kiss, chairman (2016) Mail: P.O. Box 5025, Newport, WA 99156

Community Development Department 509-447-4821

Also, all vessels (including canoes and kayaks) must have at least one U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II or III life jacket (PFD) for each person on the boat. In addition to the requirement, one USCG-approved Type IV (throwable) flotation device must be onboard vessels 16 feet or longer.

Canoes and kayaks are exempt from this requirement.

Children 12 years old and younger must wear a USCG approved life jacket at all times when underway in a vessel less than 19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area.

Each person onboard a personal watercraft (PWC) and anyone being towed behind a boat must wear a Type I, II or III USCG approved life jacket.

Although the state requires children to wear a life jacket, adults are encouraged to wear one as well. National statistics show that 84 percent of people who drowned in a recreational boating accident were not wearing a life jacket.

Remember, life jacket use doesn’t only apply to children – anyone can drown regardless of how old they are.

509-447-2402 Fax: 509-447-6477 Mail: P.O. Box 5085, Newport WA 99156 Weed coordinator: Sharon Sorby Email: ssorby@pendoreille.org

Diamond Lake Water & Sewer 509-447-4660 Fax: 509-447-0180 172 South Shore Diamond Lake Road, Newport, WA 99156-9300

Sacheen Lake Sewer & Water 509-447-4641 Mail: 8272 Fertile Valley Rd., Sacheen Lake, WA 99156

Chief: Mike Nokes 509-447-5305 Mail: 325272 Hwy. 2, Newport WA Website: www.spofr.org

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

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GOOD | From Page 3

In the spring, the mosquitos and bugs start to make an appearance, but the Laush couple said it is not a negative. The bugs are no worse than Spokane, Michele said, as they have children who live in the city and they visit often.

“You can’t hate bugs and live out here,” Michele laughs.

“You just kind of get used to it.”

Living on the lake comes with a lot of socializing, the couple said, as the lake fills up on the weekends with parties, boaters and weekenders.

They often need to do chores on the weekend to keep the house looking good, however, with the summer coming, they know more people come

14 Lake Life | May 2015

as well.

“It’s a double edged sword,” Rick said. “Sometimes we are not in a party mood but when we are, we don’t have to go far.”

But overall, the couple wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

“All in all, we love living here,” Michele said.

Kathy Fairbairn dons a bright orange swimming cap and swims her way across the beautiful lake daily, a feat she has done for the past 60 years when the weather allows.

She has lived on the lake since she was 9 years old, moving into her grandmother’s house. Now, more than 60 years later, she doesn’t want to be anywhere else. She graduated from Newport High School and so did her parents.

“This area has been in our family forever,” Fairbairn said. “There aren’t any negatives, I love it out here.”

She owns about five lots on Diamond Lake, a big site for the area. She said she is fortunate for the land because nobody can move in close to her home.

Fairbairn said the winters are not for the faint of heart, but she survives with fourwheel drive and a shovel. She also enjoys sitting by a good fire, she added. Fairbairn said she wouldn’t dream of going south for the winter and has many good friends around the lake who help her if needed.

Now that spring has sprung, she can start swimming the lake daily, which she is passionate about doing. Her children are also avid swimmers,

one of them competitively.

She enjoyed swimming the lake a few years back when there was a boating speed limit. She said there are no set times for swimmers to enjoy the water, even if she takes precautions. She said when she swims the length of the lake, she uses a boat as a spotter, just so she can swim safely.

She said that swimmers also have water rights too.

“I don’t like to have people run over me,” Fairbairn said.

“It’s a challenge to swim safely. I’ll be darned if I’m going to stop at this point.”

Fairbairn said she used to teach swimming lessons in the area, but they are no longer offered and she hopes that changes.

“It’s a wonder we haven’t drowned more kids,” Fair-

bairn said.

Now that Memorial Day weekend has arrived, she knows the lake will fill up with people coming for the weekend or for vacations. She said it is not really a bother to her, except around one holiday.

One negative, Fairbairn said, is when people stretch out the Fourth of July holiday for weeks before and after.

“I like to sleep,” Fairbairn said.

All in all, Fairbairn loves her home on the lake. The positives outweigh the negatives, she said. She has access to “the nicest beach in the county” and wouldn’t imagine living elsewhere.

“I’m here by choice, not because I have to be,” Fairbairn said. “It’s a nice place to be.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday, June 3 Diamond Lake Water and Sewer: 10 a.m. - District Office, 172 South Shore Road Diamond Lake Improvement Association: 6:30 p.m. - Diamond Lake Fire Station, Highway 2 Sacheen Lake Sewer and Water District Board: 7 p.m. Sacheen Fire Station, Highway 211

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

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

NOT Recyclable:

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

Pend Oreille County Solid Waste (509) 447-4513

Wednesday, June 10 Home and Community Educators Diamond Lake Club: Noon - Call Billie Goodno at 509-447-3781 or Chris King at 208-437-0971

Monday, June 15 Diamond Lake Book Club: 1 p.m. - Contact Peggy Green, 509447-2706.

Wednesday, June 17 Diamond Lake Water and Sewer District Board: 10 a.m. District Office

Thursday, June 18 South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue: 7 p.m. - Station 31, 325272 Highway 2, Diamond Lake

Fireworks will happen at Diamond Lake DIAMOND LAKE – Diamond Lake Improvement Association president Rich Clubine said they have reached $5,025, the amount needed to hold Fourth of July fireworks.

“I want to thank each person who contributed to this financial goal,” Clubine said.

Donations will still be accepted for next year’s celebration. Clubine said without having raised $1,800 in excess last year, this celebration wouldn’t be happening.

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May 2015 | Lake Life 15

AWARD | From Page 4

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both states.”

Schaefer uses many interactive methods to demonstrate the dangers of using alcohol while boating during his classes.

“Charlie has a true passion for boating safety,” Alonzo said. “His ‘Captain Alcohol’ skit is very popular with both young and old students and hits home the difficulties of trying to put on a life jacket while under the influence of alcohol.”

Schaefer also teaches children about water safety and has done safety talks for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and other organizations. He uses “Aqua Bear” to show the importance of wearing a life jacket to children.

“Most recently, Charlie has started teaching boating safety to local Boy Scout Troops and their parents,” Alonzo said. “The response has been phenomenal. His first class had 61 students.”

Schaefer tries to support National Safe Boating Week annually with the Army Corp of Engineers and county marine deputies in both states.

Schaefer has been working in conjunction with the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office to conduct his classes. He has founded about 12 life jacket loaner programs in Washington.

“He has helped establish 12 life jacket loaner programs in Washington the past few years and travels all over the state, including Grand Coulee, Vancouver and Everett, to teach classes and certify new instructors,” Alonzo said.

The national award ceremony will be Sept. 13-16.