Farragut plan on panel agenda

A controversial plan to improve and reopen the shooting range near Farragut State Park and proposals for 2008 fishing regulations will be considered by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission during its quarterly meeting in Sandpoint on Wednesday and Thursday.

Public comment on proposals will be taken Wednesday, 7 p.m, at Lehman Wildlife Building, 4203 N. Boyer St., at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

The commission meeting will convene at 8 a.m. Thursday, at East Bonner County Library, 1407 W. Cedar.

The many fishing proposals to be considered Thursday morning include allowing catch-and-release trout fishing on the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe rivers from Dec. 1 until the general stream season opens, and extending the catch-and-release waters for cutthroats in the Coeur d’Alene, St. Joe and Spokane river drainages.

The Farragut shooting range proposal is scheduled for debate around 3 p.m., after discussing nonresident deer and elk tag quotas and plans for managing mule deer and wolves.

The range, originally built 60 years ago, has been temporarily closed by court order until safety requirements and noise concerns can be addressed.