Field Reports: Volunteers to finish Fishtrap Lake trail
TRAILS – Volunteers are signing up to put the finishing touches on an eight-mile loop trail for hikers, cyclists and horse riders adjacent to Fishtrap Lake.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is hosting a National Public Lands Day work party on Sept. 30 to complete the trail project that started more than two years ago. Most of the trail had been carved into the scablands and available for use this season.
The Washington Trails Association, Spokane Mountaineers, Inland NW Hikers and Back Country Horsemen have coordinated and contributed labor and equipment for the effort, said Steve Smith, BLM’s recreation coordinator in Spokane.
Helpers will build trail along a flagged route, rehabilitate existing trail segments that where damaged by intense spring runoff and install flexible fiberglass post trail markers, Smith said.
BLM will provide light refreshments and drinking water at registration and following completion of the day’s work.
Volunteers must register with Smith by email sasmith@blm.gov or by phone, (509) 536-1219.
Invasive species checks find infested vessels
BOATING – Montana’s first full season of mandatory boat check stations may have helped the state head off contamination of aquatic invasive species.
More than 50,000 watercraft have been inspected so far this year and 15 vessels have been intercepted with invasive mussels, according to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department.
Enforcement around reservoirs and the Missouri River has issued more than 80 citations this year related to invasive species violations.
The state also conducted surveys of waters where aquatic invasives were detected last year.
No adult mussels were verified in Montana waters from more than 789 plankton samples collected, the agency said.
Shoreline surveys for adult mussels will be conducted at Tiber, Canyon Ferry and other water bodies around the state for AIS early detection. Mussel sniffing dogs from Alberta will assist in the surveys.
Hunter ed deferred to allow trial run
HUNTING – Hunter safety education certification is required for obtaining a hunting license in most states. However, Washington has a “hunter education deferral” program for youths age 10 or older to go hunting with a mentor on a supervised trial basis before taking a hunter ed course.
Applications are online: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered.
Butterfly adventures collected in slide show
NATURE – A slide show of summer butterfly watching adventures will be shared by members of the Washington Butterfly Association on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Room 1B of the Downtown Public Library, 906 W. Main St.
Many regional fires caused by humans
Of the wildfires recorded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests this season, 39 were caused by lightning, burning 3,997 acres so far, officials reported Friday.
Meanwhile, 32 North Idaho fires were caused by human activity, burning 1,832 acres.