Field Reports: Increased fees sought at Lake Roosevelt

PARKS – Prices are likely to go up for visiting and boating at the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation area next year as the National Park Service is proposing fee increases at parks across the country.

Current fees at Lake Roosevelt were set in 1995.

The proposed camping fee for an individual campsite would increase from $10 a night to $18. Group sites would increase about $2.

The weekly launch fee would increase from $6 to $8.

Annual boat launch permits would increase from $40 to $45. However, no discounted season passes would be offered for purchases early or late in the season. In recent years, season launch permits purchased between Jan. 1 and April 30 cost $30.

Park managers say the increased fees are needed by the parks for improvements.

The public can comment on the proposals until Oct. 31 online at nps.gov/laro.

Meetings are set for 6 p.m.:

• Tuesday – Community Colleges Center, 985 South Elm St., Colville.

• Wednesday – Lincoln County Public Works, 27234 SR 25 N, Davenport.

Fish passage topic at Columbia conference

FISHERIE S – Scientists will discuss potential for building fish passage over Grand Coulee Dam during one of many sessions scheduled during the international Columbia Basin Conference Tuesday through Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Spokane.

The conference will bring together tribes, students, fish and wildlife agencies, electric utilities, government officials and non-governmental groups.

Agenda topics include energy, climate change, ecosystem management, river governance, salmon restoration and regional issues such as the Columbia River Treaty.

The conference is organized by the Columbia Basin Trust and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

State buying 4,200-acre ranch

WILDLIFE — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved purchasing 4,200 acres of a Douglas County ranch to protect shrub-steppe habitat for wildlife, especially for threatened sharp-tailed grouse, and provide public access for outdoor recreation.

It’s the first phase of the state’s plan to purchase virtually all 20,500 acres of the Grand Coulee Ranch, which borders 14 miles of the Columbia River including Lake Rufus Woods backed up behind Chief Joseph Dam.

The land in the first-phase purchase, located about 5 miles northwest of Grand Coulee is being sold for $1.8 million. The purchase is funded by a grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.

Once the sale is closed, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will manage the land as part of the Wells Wildlife Area.

Sportsmen gather

HUNT-FISH – The Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, a sportsmen’s conservation group, is holding a Hunter Happy Hour on Thursday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., a free event at Poole’s Public House, 101 E. Hastings Road in north Spokane.

Discussions and prize giveaways are planned.