If you use state water-access sites, get a decal

A look at what's happening in Fall City

This month’s warm weather is just amazing, given what we had to

deal with for most of the summer. Maybe there’s a chance that the tomatoes

will ripen on the vine after all.

With the warm weather, lots of folks are enjoying being on or

near water, many via state Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) access

sites. Recently, the department put out a memo entitled “Increased

Enforcement May Affect You,” which described the stepped-up enforcement

of the Access Stewardship Decal requirement.

The decals are use permits which come with the regular price of a

hunting or fishing license. They can be purchased separately for $10

wherever licenses are sold or ordered by mail from the department. The permits

are good statewide. The revenue is spent on routine maintenance for these

sites. Prominent red and white signs are posted where a decal is required

on DFW access sites. The penalty for not having a decal is an “infraction”

similar to a parking ticket, but the law sets the fine at $66 (versus $10 for the

decal).

So be warned. Use the sites, but be legal. Get your decal. There were

a number of warnings issued around the Valley this past weekend. The word

is out that the department will not be cutting violators much slack. For

more information check out DFW’s home page at www.wa.gov/wdfw.

Thanks to all of you who have been pulling up the noxious

weed tansy ragwort and not letting it go to seed. Good job and keep it up. In

wet areas we are now also seeing the nefarious purple loosestrife,

(Lythrum salicaria) a native of Europe, which aggressively invades wetlands,

replacing useful native vegetation.

The flowers are similar in color to fireweed and hardhack

(Douglas spirea). Flowers have five or six petals, are borne on long spikes that

can be from 3 to 10 feet tall multiple stems. The leaves grow opposite each

other on the stem and turn bight red at the end of the growing season.

Unlike fireweed, whose seeds float away on fluff, loosestrife’s seeds may stay

in dry capsules on spire shaped stalks. The seeds are so numerous and so

tiny that they end up all over the country. It’s best to pull the young plants

in bloom. Do what you can to control. It’s an uphill battle at this point.

As of this week, both Chief Kanim and Fall City Elementary are full

of kids and teachers. Yeah. Fall City has a ways to go before the remodel

is complete, but it will be so fantastic when it is done.

Please, please drive slowly when passing these schools, and if

you’re dropping kids off, just creep along. Parents are advised to pass this

info on to all, (especially older siblings) who give rides: 5 mph in the

parking/drop off areas is the safe speed. Thank you for being careful. And if

you’re not careful, someone may have your number, license number that is.

Enjoy the warm evenings and starry, starry nights!

News Notes items may be

submitted to Janna Treisman

at Box 1329, Fall City, WA 98024; or phone (425) 222-5594 or

e-mail treismaj@hotmail.com.