OLYMPIA - The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a series of public meetings in July on plans to improve public fishing and habitat by rehabilitating several lakes.
     According to a department announcement, plans include using rotenone on:
     • Ellen Lake in Ferry County to control largemouth bass and green sunfish.
     • Big Buck Lake in Okanogan County for pumpkinseed sunfish.
     • Starzman Lake in Okanogan County for largemouth bass.
     Rotenone is a naturally occurring substance derived from the roots of tropical plants that has been used by the department and other fish and wildlife agencies nationwide to rehabilitate lakes and streams for more than 60 years, according to the announcement.
     “The treatments we are proposing for this fall are designed to reduce numbers of undesirable fish such as carp and tench that compete with game fish and destroy aquatic vegetation,” said Jon Anderson, fish biologist.
     “Rotenone has been tested extensively and found to present no significant health risk to people, pets, livestock or non-targeted wildlife,” he said.
     Public meetings are planned for:
     • 7 p.m. Monday, July 14, Natural Resources Building Room 172, Olympia.
     • 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, Agriculture Service Center, Colville.
     After treatment in the fall and spring, fishing lakes will be re-stocked the following spring with the preferred species of fish, Anderson said.
     The department also will accept written comments received by Aug. 15, according to the announcement. Comments should be addressed to Jon Anderson, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia 98501-1091.
     Written comments also will be accepted in August through the department’s State Environmental Protection Act process. Deadline will be announced when the SEPA process is initiated in mid-July, say state officials.
     Final consideration by the department’s director is scheduled for late August.