Trails association schedules October work parties
Volunteers are needed in October to help on trail projects at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Vancouver Lake, Indian Heaven Wilderness and in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Washington Trails Association will work Oct. 2 on the Oaks to Wetlands trail rerouting an often-muddy section and Oct. 4 building a meandering trail between Vancouver Lake and Buckmire Slough.
On Oct. 4 and 5, WTA volunteers will restore drainage structures on Cultus trail in Indian Heaven Wilderness of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. On Oct. 11 and12, the work shifts to the Gorge, where a section of trail between Augspurger and Dog mountains will be restored. The trail is brushy and hard to find in places.
To register, go online to www.wta.org/volunteer/trail-work-parties or call Ryan Ojerio at 360-722-2657.
Vancouver Wildlife League to hear about stream restoration
The Vancouver Wildlife League will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2108 Grand Blvd.
Ashley King of the Clark Public Utilities Stream Team will present a slide show. League members also will review the recent youth pheasant hunt held in the Vancouver Lake lowlands and the 2014 pheasant release program.
The public is welcome.
Wildlife Commission to be briefed on Columbia fishing proposals
PASCO — Briefings on proposed changes to the sport-fishing rules in the Columbia River basin and development of the 2015-21game management plan will be on the agenda when the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meets here Friday and Saturday.
The citizen panel that sets policy for the Department of Fish and Wildlife will meet beginning at 8:30 a.m. both days at the Pasco Red Lion, 2525 N. 20th Ave.
Among the Columbia River basin proposed changes are regulations that close all rivers, streams and beaver ponds in the entire basin to fishing unless otherwise stated in the rules pamphlet.
The proposals also call for mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead in some rivers and would eliminate retention of sturgeon in the Snake River and its tributaries.
To review the proposals, go online to http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 16. Testimony also will be accepted at the commission’s meeting in November.
Commission members also will discuss recruitment of a new department director. Phil Anderson has announced he will resign at year’s end.
A copy of the commission agenda is online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission.
No day-use fee Saturday at Washington state parks
Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass on Saturday at Washington state parks.
The “free day” at the parks is in recognition of National Public Lands Day. Free days apply only to day use, not overnight stays.
The final free day will be Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. Discover Passes cost $10 per day or $30 annually.
