In brief: North Idaho College to host environmental film festival

ENVIRONMENT – The “Lake Coeur d’Alene Waterkeeper Wild and Scenic Film Festival” will be held on Thursday night at Boswell Hall on North Idaho College’s main campus. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the films show from 7-9 p.m.

The 10 films relate to environmental water issues and feature those working to overcome those issues. The event will also feature a raffle and guest speakers Peter Grubb, founder of ROW Adventures, and Mark Titus, director of award-winning documentary “The Breach.”

The festival is a benefit for Lake Coeur d’Alene Waterkeeper organization in partnership with NIC and the Associated Students of NIC. Tickets for the Nov. 2 event are $10 for the public, $5 for non-NIC students and free to NIC students with an ID.

In addition to the festival, on Friday there will be a special free showing of “The Breach,” followed by a discussion and question-and-answer session with filmmaker Titus from 9 a.m.-noon, in the NIC Edminster Student Union Building Lake Coeur d’Alene Room.

The Nov. 3 showing of “The Breach” is free and open to the public.

Salmon run starting near Sullivan Lake

FISHING – Nothing goes better with fall colors than a good salmon run.

From now until the middle of December in the scenic Colville National Forest, thousands of 3-year-old Kokanee salmon begin their journey up Harvey Creek – near Sullivan Lake – to find suitable spawning sites.

From Harvey Creek’s banks or the bridge, the fish are visible as they separate from the schools and pair up with mates. Females dig a redd (deposit site) to lay eggs and within a few days die. Their decaying bodies provide nutrients to the creek and Sullivan Lake vital to the growth of plankton and insect life that will feed next year’s young. The dying salmon also feed animals like bald eagles, raccoons, and mink. Kokanee eggs hatch in February and remain in the gravel until spring where they are swept away into Sullivan Lake to start another cycle.

Officials ask that viewers refrain from harassing the fish or disturbing the stream bed during the run.

To get to the south end of Sullivan Lake and the mouth of Harvey Creek; from Highway 31 south of Ione, take County Road 9345 toward the Sullivan Lake Ranger Station and Sullivan Lake. The bridge is at the south end of the lake. For a Kokanee status report call the Newport Ranger District at (509) 447-7300.