ORVers sue state for funding

OFF-ROADING –The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance has teamed with the Northwest Motorcycle Association to file a lawsuit against the state of Washington to block the transfer of $9.5 million in offroad vehicle funds from the Non-highway and Off-road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account to the State Parks and Recreation Department.

Tod Petersen, spokesman for groups, said the money is earmarked for off-road trail programs.

This spring, the Washignton Legislature approved a bill that transferred from the NOVA account money that comes from the gas tax paid by off-road vehicle users and the license tab fees on off-road vehicles.

The Washington Constitution says gas tax collected must be used only for roads, Peterson said. “To comply with that the state allows refunds on gas tax paid for other uses.

“In 1972 the off-road vehicle community supported passage of legislation that waived their right to a direct refund of the taxes they paid for ORV fuel in exchange for having those same funds ‘refunded’ to a dedicated account to promote and protect their sport.

“Later, their ORV license tab money was added to this account. The NOVA program was established to administer these funds.

“Now that all the money is going to State Parks and the agency is not going to spend the money on off-road vehicle recreation, this is no longer a legitimate refund benefiting of these taxpayers.”

Staff reports

Idaho record walleye confirmed

FISHING – Mike Chupa of Twin Falls landed the Idaho state record walleye Oct. 10 just before midnight on Oakley Reservoir, the state Fish and Game Department confirmed this week.

The 33-inch-long fish was officially weighed at 17 pounds, 12 ounces, which is six ounces heavier than the previous record taken in October 2006 at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir.

Chupa landed several other fish earlier in the evening weighing 13.7 pounds, 13.4 pounds and 10 pounds.

He said he was trolling a Thunderstick crank bait along a steep bank in 3-4 feet of water only 26 feet behind the boat, which was in 9 feet of water.

Staff and wire reports

Wolf hunt ends near Yellowstone

WILDLIFE – Montana wildlife commissioners shut down gray wolf hunting Tuesday in Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park after nine of the predators were killed there in recent weeks.

However, commissioners kept the statewide kill quota at 75, repeating their belief that the planned harvest would not hurt the overall population of the animals that were removed from the endangered species list in May.

That early season total included at least four members of a pack familiar to tourists and nearly filled the 12-wolf quota for most of the southern half of the state.

Associated Press

Volunteers clearing nordic trails

STATE PARKS – The brush clogging some of Mount Spokane’s cross-country skiing trails will be tackled by a team of volunteers Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. from Selkirk Lodge. More helpers are needed. Bring lunch and gloves.

Contact: Art Bookstrom, 368-3119 or 624-9667.

Rich Landers

Eiger climber follows dad’s lead

MOUTAINEERING – John Harlin III will make a presentation on climbing the North Face of the Eiger, the mountain that killed his father, Thursday at the University of Idaho’s Law Courtroom.

The lecture by the adventurer, writer, photographer and filmmaker will follow the Tuesday showing of “The Alps” the IMAX film reenactment of his climb in Jansen Engineering Building Room 104.

Both of the free presentations start at 7:30 p.m.

Rich Landers

Parks donation program on track

STATE PARKS –The Washington Parks and Recreation Commission says that after its first month, a new donation program is on track to keep state parks open.

The commission says that as of Sept. 30, about $1.4 million had been collected by the program that allows vehicle owners to donate $5 to parks when they renew their license tabs.

The goal is to raise $28 million over two years to avoid closing up to 40 parks around the state.

Associated Press