WINTER SPORTS — A portion of the popular Kings Lake groomed snowmobile route in Pend Oreille County is being closed for the rest of the 2013 season because of a logging operation.

The Colville National Forest and Stimson Lumber Co. announced the closure today as routes will be plowed to accommodate truck traffic.

The snowmobile route provides access to the north shore of Browns Lake.

“While this closure along with the two other we have in the valley this winter will be an impact to the groomed snowmobile routes the area has to offer, there are still a number of options for snowmobiling,” said Gayne Sears, district ranger. The Washington State Parks Sno-Park website features maps of the options. 

The two other closures in place are:

• Cee Cee Ah Creek Road, because of a large storm washout.
• the National Forest portions of the Middle and East Branches Le Clerc Creek Roads, and the Hanlon Cutoff Road due to winter logging operations.

Details from Nan Berger, recreation staffer in Newport:

Only a portion of the entire route is closed. The national forest roads closed are as follows: 1920000 (CCA Road) from the jct. with 1920306 (approx. 10.0 mile mark) to its jct. with 1920306 (approx.. 12.0 mile mark); 5030000 (Browns Lake Road) from the jct. with County Road 3389 (Kings Lake) to its jct. with 5080000 (Sheepherder) at approx. 3.5 mile mark. 5080000 is closed from the jct. with 5030000 to east boundary of section 13 (T34NR44E) approx. 3 mile mark.

Info: Newport Ranger Station, (509) 447-7300, or the Sullivan Lake Ranger Station, (509) 446-7500. 

WATER QUALITY — Should runoff from logging roads be considered pollution and subject to permitting requirements?

The question has been the basis of a long-standing court battle that continues this week despite a recent court decision in favor of the timber industry.

Certainly the matter is of interest to fishermen, who know that erosion from roads can have major impacts on fish spawning and holding habitat.

The Capital Press has this story on the latest appeal.