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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Docks, Boat Ramps Getting Face Lifts Money From Boat Registration Fees Keeping Docks Afloat

Susan Drumheller Staff Writer

A trio of children, using homemade fishing poles, dropped their lines off a new county dock on Fernan Lake’s north shore Tuesday.

They were among a handful of anglers on the little lake, braving the cold, blustery weather.

On a nice day and on weekends, the shoreline and water can get busy with anglers vying for bass, perch and other fish that call Fernan Lake home.

Because of its popularity as a fishing area, and the poor condition of the county boat ramp, the ramp and docks are getting a makeover.

Work is finished on the new wooden dock, but the handicap accessible ramp and concrete boat launch are still under construction.

The previous boat launch was just a dirt ramp, which became a quagmire during low water, trapping vehicles in the muck.

The county received a $12,310 grant from the state Waterways Improvement Fund to upgrade the launch and docks.

That’s one of five improvement grants the county received this year.

Revenue for the fund comes from boater registration fees.

Work on the projects has been delayed because of flood problems, but county waterways supervisor Terry Hubbard is hopeful that all the improvements will be done by Memorial Day weekend.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Projects Here are this year’s other grant-funded projects in Kootenai County: Loff’s Bay will have a new concrete boat ramp, a new dock section for more boat parking, a handicap accessible dock ramp and new pilings. The grant amount is $8,060. Eight docks, pilings and two ramps will be replaced at Sportsman Park on Hayden Lake. The old docks tend to sink under the weight of more than two adults, parks employees said. The grant amount is $43,897. Mowry State Park is slated to get four new docks for increased boater access, handicap accessible approach ramps, and a new, vaulted toilet. The grant amount is $30,840. Spokane Point will also have new docks, a handicap accessible approach ramp, and a new concrete boat launch. The grant amount is $21,485. The county’s share of the cost for all five projects is $7,830. That cost includes in-kind labor provided by Kootenai County jail work crews, Hubbard said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Projects Here are this year’s other grant-funded projects in Kootenai County: Loff’s Bay will have a new concrete boat ramp, a new dock section for more boat parking, a handicap accessible dock ramp and new pilings. The grant amount is $8,060. Eight docks, pilings and two ramps will be replaced at Sportsman Park on Hayden Lake. The old docks tend to sink under the weight of more than two adults, parks employees said. The grant amount is $43,897. Mowry State Park is slated to get four new docks for increased boater access, handicap accessible approach ramps, and a new, vaulted toilet. The grant amount is $30,840. Spokane Point will also have new docks, a handicap accessible approach ramp, and a new concrete boat launch. The grant amount is $21,485. The county’s share of the cost for all five projects is $7,830. That cost includes in-kind labor provided by Kootenai County jail work crews, Hubbard said.