Field reports: Newman Lake access to close temporarily for weed control

BOATING – The public access site at Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County will be closed June 7-9 to allow treatment of the lake with herbicide to control Eurasian milfoil and other aquatic invasive weeds.

The Newman Lake Flood Control Zone District, under permit from the Washington Department of Ecology, has hired Aqua Technex to treat milfoil infestations on about 30 acres throughout the 1,200-acre lake with 2-4-D.

A swimming restriction will be in force during treatment and for 24 hours after treatment, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Boating and swimming will be discouraged the day of treatment and for two days after. Signs with that information will be posted. The boating restriction is needed because wave action reduces the herbicide’s effectiveness.

The past three summers of aquatic weed treatments at Newman Lake have reduced the original infestation, said Karen Kruger, Spokane County Water Resources Technician.

Newman Lake is open year-round for fishing.

State parks offer

fee-free entry days

STATE LANDS –Two “free days” are being offered at Washington State Parks in June.

On Saturday, in recognition of National Trails Day, and June 11, for National Get Outdoors Day, visitors will not need to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to state parks.

The remaining 2016 State Parks free days are:

Aug. 25 – (Thursday) National Park Service’s 100th birthday

Sept. 24 – (Saturday) National Public Lands Day

Nov. 11 – (Friday) Veterans Day

Info: DiscoverPass.wa.gov.

Plague suspected

in Idaho ground squirrels

CRITTERS – For the second year in a row, Idaho health officials say preliminary tests on dead ground squirrels south of Boise have come back positive for plague.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is still confirming the diagnosis, but officials are asking the public to be cautious.

The bacterial disease can be spread by flea bites or by direct contact with infected animals. The last human cases to have the plague occurred in 1991 and 1992, when both patients fully recovered.

Officials say symptoms of plague in humans include fever, chills, headache and weakness. Prompt diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce the fatality rate.

Spokane River fundraiser

set at Arbor Crest

CONSERVATION – Water to Wine, a food, wine and auction fundraiser for Spokane River advocates, is set for 5-8 p.m. on Friday at Arbor Crest Winery, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane.

Auction proceeds will go toward increasing and improving Spokane River recreational access, habitat and shoreline restoration projects, cleanup activities and community outreach, say organizers from the Spokane River Forum.

Tickets cost $75. Info: spokaneriver.net.

Record rockfish caught

FISHING – A Washington state record black rockfish weighing 10.72 pounds was caught near Ilwaco on May 15 by Steven Charles Orr of Rochester, Washington. Orr said he was bait fishing with herring.

The record confirmed the week by the state Fish and Wildlife Department exceeded the previous black rockfish record, caught in 1980, by almost half a pound.