In brief: Comment on county parks

Spokane County Parks planners are asking the public to help prioritize the many improvement projects waiting on the sidelines until funding is available.

Public meetings are being held this week and a survey has been set up online.

The list of 27 potential park improvement projects, generated from public input and staff reports last year, includes Fish Lake Trail completion, Bear Lake Park renovation and Centennial Trail repairs.

Planners want to see how the public ranks those trail projects to other important work such as upgrading irrigation at MeadowWood Golf Course and building or enhancing sports complexes and facilities at several other more traditional county parks.

Take the survey on parks priorities online at http://bit.ly/1BJ9F1U.

Remaining public meetings on the priorities are set for 4:30-6 p.m. as follows:

• Tonight, North Spokane Library.

• Friday, Argonne Library.

Along with the list of park improvement projects, County Parks officials are asking for comment on the proposed $27 million Regional Sportsplex, a multipurpose indoor events and practice facility to be located on the north bank of Spokane’s Riverfront Park. 

The facility would be owned and operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District.

Ready trophies for Big Horn Show

Big-game horns and antlers once again will be a featured attraction at the annual Big Horn Outdoor Recreation Show March 19-22 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.

Trophies can be entered for official scoring and display. New this year is a category for shed antlers.

Enter trophies at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through March 20, and from 9 a.m. to noon March 21. 

All trophies will be measured by Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young judges or qualified measurers. Ribbons will be awarded in 11 categories.

First place in each species will receive a custom-made belt buckle.

Info: Bighornshow.com

NIC offers ‘Birds of Prey’ class

North Idaho College at Sandpoint is offering a “Birds of Prey” class taught by ornithologist and author Brian Baxter on Saturday.

Starting at 9 a.m., the class includes a review of families, distinguishing characteristics and birding tips.

Two field trips will follow to study habitats, tracks, migrations and observe birds of prey.

Baxter has degrees in both forestry and wildlife biology and has been teaching outdoor education programs for more than 20 years.

Preregister: NIC Workforce Training Center, (208) 769-3333.

Info: www.nic.edu/wtc.

Attend salmon season meetings

Eastern Washington anglers have a chance to get details about salmon fishing season setting at two public meetings next week.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled meetings starting at 6 a.m.:

• March 24 in Clarkston at Walla Walla Community College’s Main Lecture Hall, 1470 Bridge St.

• March 25 in Kennewick at Benton Public Utility District building, 2721 W. 10th Ave.

The meetings will include discussion of and public comment on 2015 Columbia and Snake River and tributaries fishery management objectives and preliminary options for spring, summer and fall sport fisheries.

Preliminary forecasts call for strong salmon runs this year.

More information about salmon forecasts, the statewide meeting schedule, an online comment submission is available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ northfalcon/.

The 2015 season-setting process will conclude with the North of Falcon and Pacific Fisheries Management Council meetings April 11-16 in California.