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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Field reports: Antoine Peak on House list for state funding

PUBLIC LANDS – A prized Spokane Valley wild area north of I-90 and near Forker Road is back in the running for state funding to boost the last of three purchase phases started under the Spokane County Conservation Futures.

The House of Representatives announced Tuesday at its hearing for the state capital construction budget that the Spokane County area is listed to receive $2.1 million in funding for Antoine Peak and Cheney’s Betz Park Baseball/Softball Fields.  

The projects are a part of a proposed $50 million appropriation to the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which funds high-priority wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation projects across the state.

Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposal offered no funding to WWRP while calling for $20 million to fund only projects in Puget Sound.

“The 339-acre Antoine Peak Phase 3 provides much needed recreation access to the existing 710-acre Antoine Peak wildlife area,” said Jeff Lambert, Spokane Mountaineers conservation chair. “The existing conservation area has poor public access.”

Rich Landers

Glacier featured on new quarter

PARKS – Glacier National Park is next of five parks to be featured on one of the U.S. Mint’s new “America the Beautiful” quarters.

The quarter features a mountain goat with Reynolds Mountain in the background. It’s a view familiar to visitors who drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Unveiling is Wednesday at Columbia Falls High School, where $10 rolls of the new quarters will be sold.

Associated Press

‘Kid Fishing’ day registration due

FISHING – April 18 is the deadline to register for the May 7 Spokane Kid’s Fishing Event for youths age 5-14. The activity is staffed by dozens of volunteers from area fishing clubs, Fish and Wildlife Department employees and others.

The $10 fee includes a T-shirt, rod and reel, and help in catching and cleaning up to three trout.

Kids are assigned to 45-minute slots at the Fairchild AFB access site on Clear Lake.

Registration forms are at tinyurl.com/4ypcmp9 or pick them up at the WDFW office in Spokane Valley.

Rich Landers

Show: Divide hike

TRAILS – North Idaho hikers Phil Hough and Deb Hunsicker will present “Wildflowers, Wild Lands and Wild Times along the Continental Divide” Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Sandpoint Community Hall.

Class: Fly fish lakes

FISHING – A clinic on fly-fishing local lakes is set for Tuesday, 6 p.m., at Silver Bow Fly Shop. Cost: $20.

Preregister: 924-9998