Field reports: Boundary Dam forebay closed for camping improvements

BOATING – Canoeing, kayaking and camping through Z Canyon on the Pend Oreille River downstream from Metaline Falls has been tough to pull off since July 10 when Seattle City Light closed the Boundary Dam forebay campground and boat launch for a major reconstruction project.

Public access at the dam site is blocked until next year.

Seattle City Light says redeveloping the Forebay Recreation Area is the first project in a 10-year plan for recreational improvements throughout the Boundary Hydroelectric Project area.

Improvements at the forebay include adding more campsites and day-use picnic sites, an extended boat launch and new amenities for the disabled.

The campground and boat launch will reopen by spring 2018.

Info: (206) 233-2631 or online at seattle.gov/light/Boundary/recreation.asp

Spokane River Clean-up Sept. 16; sign up

RIVERS – The annual Spokane River Clean-Up, which attracts help from individuals, families, groups and schools, is set for Sept. 16.

Last year, 692 volunteers cleaned up 3.19 tons of garbage and 976 pounds of recyclables from Nine Mile Falls to the Spokane Valley, organizers say.

Participants can sign up for specific sections of the river.

Preregister at spokanerivercleanup.org.

Shop relocation proposed at Mount Spokane

STATE PARKS – A plan to move the Mount Spokane State Park equipment maintenance shops to a site safe from flooding will be presented at a public meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Pl. in Spokane Valley.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission says the plan will involve reclassifying 40-acres of resource recreation land south of the park’s entrance road near Linder’s Ridge.

State Parks planning staff will propose the plan at the commission’s Sept. 28 meeting.

The maintenance shop compound is downstream from Burping Brook, which has flooded and undermined the concrete foundation of the compound’s sand shed, parks officials say, noting that a long-term solution is needed.

Sherman wolf killed after fifth cattle attack

WILDLIFE – A wolf from the Sherman Pack was shot on Friday in an effort to stop wolf attacks on cattle in Ferry County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports.

The Sherman Pack was associated with a confirmed cattle kill on Colville National Forest land on Monday. It was the fifth cattle depredation associated to the pack this year. The depredation occurred within the Colville National Forest, in the same vicinity as the previous four depredations. The area is being patrolled by range riders.

Now the agency will wait and monitor wolf activities. No more wolves from the Sherman Pack will be killed unless they resume attacking cattle.

Mineral Ridge closed Tuesday for work

TRAILS –The popular Mineral Ridge Trail overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene’s Wolf Lodge Bay and recreation area will be closed to all use on Wednesday as crews seal coat the parking area, U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials say.

During the closure, the picnic area as well as the hiking trail will be inaccessible. The site will re-open on Thursday.

For a close-by alternative recreation area, visit the Blue Creek Bay day use area and trail system located two miles north of the Mineral Ridge area along Yellowstone Road.

Wolf trapping class offered

TRAPPING – Two trapper education classes and two wolf trapper education classes in September are open for registration through the Idaho Fish and Game Department at fishandgame.idaho.gov.

Grouse wings needed

HUNTING – Grouse hunters are being asked to deposit wings from their birds in well-marked wing collection barrels put out on roads in Eastern Washington. Washington Fish and Wildlife Department biologist say the wings help them in grouse population research.