Access still limited to Antoine Peak

CONSERVATION – Although the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program has purchased 715 acres in two phases on a mountain north of Spokane Valley, public access won’t be easy until the money is raised to purchase the third and final parcel.

The county acquired 390 acres on Antoine Peak in 2006. The second phase of the deal for 325 acres was closed in September.

When funding is available, the third purchase of 1,066 acres will be added, said John Bottelli, Parks and Recreation Department special projects manager.

“That will provide us the most desirable and affordable place to make public parking and access off Robbins Road,” he said.

“Currently we don’t have a viable access on the east side from Lincoln and Campbell roads because there’s no parking.”

The county is trying to get a handle on illegal access, especially by motorized vehicles, he said, noting that no motorized vehicles or hunting is allowed on Antoine property.

The county has received $3 million from state wildlife conservation funding to match county Conservation Futures money for acquiring Antoine Peak.

“The area is considered tops on the state for wildlife habitat and open space values while being just a mile from the Spokane Valley city limits,” he said.

Rich Landers

License-plate fees eyed in budget woes

WILDLIFE – The extra fees Washington motorists pay for vehicle license plates with custom messages or wildlife backgrounds may be shifted from wildlife agency accounts to help balance the state’s budget.

On Wednesday, Gov. Chris Gregoire asked Fish and Wildlife Department officials to shift $1.5 million from the agency’s 17 dedicated accounts that hold $8 million for services such as improving habitat, managing game, protecting wildlife diversity, and maintaining site access.

Among those accounts are four with funds generated by vehicle license plates and dedicated to certain wildlife management priorities.

For example, more than $875,000 is in the account funded by people who buy plates with bear, deer or elk backgrounds, agency officials said.

Eagle and orca background plates accounts hold about $900,000 earmarked for wildlife diversity programs.

The Legislature will have the final word on how much if any of the license plate accounts can be spent on their intended programs.

Rich Landers

Roosevelt recalled in bully book

HUNTING – Theodore Roosevelt, one of the conservation movement’s most quoted visionaries, has been commemorated in the first illustrated biography to focus on his life as the consummate hunter.

“Theodore Roosevelt Hunter-Conservationist” – Check it out: www.boone-crockett.org.

Rich Landers