We welcome Guest Posts on a variety of subjects. Today we cover the final installment about Tiger Trout from Jim Ledbetter, Member of the WDFW, Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group.

Merritt Lake, while a scenic beauty, is sadly out of balance with nature. Studies have shown that stunted populations of trout crop down the native biota, mayflies, caddis, chironomids, odonata, copepods, as well as the microscopic diatoms that attach themselves to the legs of the water borne invertabrates. Amphibians are also impacted as they rely on these creatures for a food base as well.
 
The proposal calls for 210 tiger trout to be stocked. Once stocked, these jumbo fingerlings will begin to feed on tiny brook trout fry. This is the first stage of both population reduction and restoration of the natural dynamics of the lake. There will be less brook trout fry feeding on immature invertabrates which will allow those populations to increase. The small number of tiger trout will impact the brook trout population much more than the invertabrate population. It will take years to fully recover the invertabrates but that will not be accomplished until the brook trout population is brought under control. However, the more immediate benefit, in 2 – 3 years, will be large tiger trout which should create some real angler interest.
 
Another benefit is controlling brook trout drop out from Merritt to Nason Creek where they could possibly hybridize with ESA listed bull trout. Reducing the population of brook trout in Merritt will curtail most of this problem as once the population is balanced fish tend to stray less.
 
If all goes well the tiger trout should be stocked in Merritt Lake with the help of Icicle Outfitters around the middle of June.
 
This is still in the proposal stage as the SEPA for the introduction has not been finalized. The WDFW, Area Bio, Arthur.Viola@dfw.wa.gov, and the regional bio, Jeffrey.Korth@dfw.wa.gov, have both expressed support and if you think this is a good idea feel free to email them with your comments.
 
If the project sounds interesting, and you would like to help out, please email me at salmtrutt@aol.com.
 
Jim Ledbetter
Member, WDFW, Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group
Chiwawa Pines

We welcome Guest Posts on a variety of subjects. Today we hear about Tiger Trout from Jim Ledbetter, Member of the WDFW, Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group.

For the past couple of years I’ve been working on a proposal to introduce tiger trout to Merritt Lake. I’m sure a lot of people know what a tiger trout is but for those who haven’t here is its history.
 
A tiger trout is a sterile hybrid of a brown trout X brook trout and the WDFW hatchery system has been using it in selected locations since around 2001. It has an excellent growth rate and likes to eat smaller fish. The picture of this fish clearly shows a striking pattern of marking along its side. These markings are called chain mail vermiculations and this specimen has an outstanding pattern.
 
Tiger trout have a life span equivalent to other trout but since they are sterile not a lot of energy is spent on reproduction. Instead, that energy is spent of growth. These fish are aggressive and will readily take a variety of baits. When hooked, they will surprise even the most seasoned angler with their high, arching leaps.
 
Growth is phenomenal. Both Utah, and Wyoming, have used them to control unwanted populations of chubs in reservoirs. Wyoming reported growth of one fish at 22″ in 2.5 yrs. Utah reported growth to 12″, from fingerling size, in just one year. They have been used in the Spokane area and I’ve heard a 12 lb. fish was taken. I’ve not seen any pictures so I can only say that it’s perhaps a fish story but I know these fish are certainly capable of attaining that size.
 
Merritt Lake was chosen for this introduction because it has an abundance of small fish, or dinks, in angler terminology. In the survey phase, 41 otoliths, a small bone in a fish’s head, were sent to the aging lab in Olympia for analysis. These bones have rings and are read much like tree rings. The age range was 2 to 9 years old. The largest brookie was 9″ and 8 years old. The oldest fish was 6.5″ and 9 years old with the smallest, at 4″, being 4 years old. Small fish, like these, are a perfect prey base for hungry tiger trout and Merritt, in 3 – 4 years, would certainly have some trophy fish.
 
In a few days, I’ll post Part 2 providing a definitive explanation about the proposal.
 
Jim Ledbetter
Member, WDFW, Inland Fish Policy Advisory Group
Chiwawa Pines

Guest Political Post:
Here at the virtual headquarters of Lake Wenatchee Info we are always encouraging our readers to submit items for publication. Courtney Cox, candidate for the state legislature, has prepared this brief posting  her candidacy. If anyone is interested in having candidates submit a post we are happy to post with the following requirements:
1: the candidate must be running for a local office
2: the post must be specific to the Lake Wenatchee and surrounding communities
3: the post won’t be emailed, it will only appear on the site.
4: the post will have this or a similar introduction.

Lake Wenatchee Info does not endorse candidates, our goal is to be a community information source any comments on this please email admin@lakewenatcheeinfo.com

Thank you for taking the time to view this post:

May I invite people who come to your website to visit mine as well as www.wenatcheeoutdoors.org I have written at length on a wide range of issues at  www.electcourtney.com and have answered specific questions at Wenatchee Outdoors about recreation issues in this region.

I hope exploring both sites will give voters confidence I can solve the property tax problem for recreation property owners as well as home and investment property.

Thank you for posting this letter.

Regards,

Courtney Cox

Candidate:  State Representative, Position 2

Legislative District 12

Guest Political Post:
Here at the virtual headquarters of Lake Wenatchee Info we are always encouraging our readers to submit items for publication. Carnan Bergen, candidate for PUD Commissioner District A, asked us if he could write a post for the site, advocating his candidacy. If anyone is interested in having candidates submit a post we are happy to post with the following requirements:
1: the candidate must be running for a local office
2: the post must be specific to the Lake Wenatchee and surrounding communities
3: the post won’t be emailed, it will only appear on the site.
4: the post will have this or a similar introduction.

Lake Wenatchee Info does not endorse candidates, our goal is to be a community information source any comments on this please email admin@lakewenatcheeinfo.com

Thank you for taking the time to view this post.

My name is Carnan Bergren and I am running for Chelan County PUD Commissioner. I am a native born third-generation resident, and orchardist of Chelan County. My grandfather emigrated from Sweden in 1905 and homesteaded in Peshastin. I attended Peshastin-Dryden schools and studied law enforcement at Shoreline Community College. At the age of 21, I purchased ten acres of orchard. For the past thirty two years I have increased my operation to 127 acres of tree fruit production. During this period, I was elected to the board of Blue Bird Growers, Leavenworth Fruit Co. and the Washington/Oregon Canning Pear Association, serving two years as Chairman. I have been an active member of my community, serving a wide variety of local civic organizations. I just completed a three year commitment serving on the Peshastin Urban Growth Boundary Task Force. I am also a long-standing board member of the Peshastin Cemetery District and Peshastin Library District. I am 53 years old. My wife June and I have two children: a son, 27; and a daughter, 25. We also have four delightful  grand children.

In the development of water and waste water facilities (not excluding electrical, fiber and recreation) the Chelan County PUD will play an important role in the future growth of Chelan County. There is always concern in local services and in the rates and availability of the service.

As growth occurs in the district, water quality is and will become more of an issue in regards to the impact on fish and the environment. We all want clean pure water. We all want to maintain our life style and quality of life. Those of us that own our homes are always concerned in how this growth impacts us in regards to property rights and value.

As a native born 3^rd generation resident of Peshastin and Chelan County, I share all of those concerns with you. But, for me, it doesn’t stop there. I want to be your Chelan County PUD Commissioner. In seeking this responsibility,

I’m committing myself to dedicate the personal time and effort in serving you the customer/owner, by listening to and representing your concerns in all levels with a strong and influential voice. Through participation and support, these concerns can and will be addressed.

As your PUD Commissioner, I will stand for accountability in regards to the districts obligations. Seated PUD Commissioners should recognize, that they have a moral and fiduciary obligation to uphold the districts end of the deal. If the districts obligations are allowed to go un-checked, it becomes a slippery slope for the customer/owner that slides up hill in regard to higher and higher utility rates. I will work to keep utility rates low and bring value back to all the customer/owners of this district.

I want to be your Chelan County PUD Commissioner. Not only because I can do a better job, but because I grew up here, I work here; and we raised our children. I care about Chelan County and our quality of life and I care about the people that live and work here too.

Thank you all for this opportunity to post my comments and for the time you have devoted to read them.

Carnan Bergren

Candidate for Chelan County PUD Commissioner (Position A at Large)

Guest Political Post:
Here at the virtual headquarters of Lake Wenatchee Info we are always encouraging our readers to submit items for publication. Werner Janssen, candidate for PUD Commissioner District A, asked us if he could write a post for the site, advocating his candidacy. We discussed and decided sure, if anyone is interested in having candidates submit post we are happy to post with the following requirements:
1: the candidate must be running for a local office
2: the post must be specific to the Lake Wenatchee and surrounding communities
3: the post won’t be emailed, it will only appear on the site.
4: the post will have this or a similar introduction.

Lake Wenatchee Info does not endorse candidates, our goal is to be a community information source any comments on this please email admin@lakewenatcheeinfo.com Tales of the Riverbank

Thanks for the opportunity to communicate with you.

I’m Werner Janssen your Chelan PUD Commissioner representing District A. I live in Leavenworth. I understand the benefits and the challenges of living in a more remote area. I was general manager of Holden Village for twenty years. We operated our own hydro, water system, sewage system and solid waste system. The U.S. Postal Service was our only communication until I received my amateur radio license.

I am running for re-election to the Chelan County PUD, below is more information on my background, in addition you can visit my website at www.wernerjanssen.com or email me at wcjanssen@charter.net

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me and about my desire to serve you as your Chelan PUD Commissioner.

I can relate to your delight in remote living. I can also relate to your struggles with communications. In 2003, as a customer-owner I attended a Chelan PUD meeting in Leavenworth and ask why they weren’t going to begin the Fiber program in the Lake Wenatchee area where they really had no options for high-speed broadband. I was told it was a business decision. I thought it should be a service decision. Now, in 2008, the first fiber in the Plain-Lake Wenatchee area is being activated.

The Chelan PUD relates to you for the water quality of Lake Wenatchee, the operation of you sewage system as well as your electrical power and now fiber. I would support a more active role by the PUD to help determine water quality problems in Lake Wenatchee and become involved in the funding of a more detailed study that might be needed. I also feel that for the welfare of the lake water quality more effort is needed to have more homes along the lake hook up to the Chelan PUD sewer system. Perhaps grants could be sought to accomplish this with less economic impact.

I enjoy serving you and, making sure that information is shared with the customer-owners and helping to solve problems.

I take my opportunity to be your PUD commissioner seriously. I have scheduled meetings with Customer-owners anytime at their request. I use email’s to share information with customer-owners and ask input on many issues. During 2008, I missed only one scheduled commission meeting. This result from my mother’s death in March.

My interest in continuing as Chelan PUD Commissioner includes:

1. The desire to bring a perspective to the Commission that stimulates discussion and encourages the involvement of our customer-owners.
2. Defining Team-Work as being on a team with the customer-owners who I represent.
3. Believing in “civil skepticism” not “unquestioning acceptance”.
4. Continuing to encourage organizational changes to reduce costs, reduce debt, maximize efficiencies and provide the safest working environment.
5. Encouraging a work place emphasizing innovation and an openness that allows each employee to speak freely and participate in changes.
6. Elevating the emphasis on alternative energy, specifically solar for our customer-owners. The Chelan PUD should provide more encouragement and support to those who would like to install solar and other alternate energy.
7. Putting greater emphasis conservation.
8. Implementing more generous programs to assist the fixed income and low income customer-owners.
9. Continuing to represent many customer-owners who do not feel they are being heard.
• I challenged the Chelan PUD and the City of Wenatchee to solve the 9th St. Trailer park tragedy
• I worked with residents of Monitor who considered the LUD process for the new water system to be flawed
• I worked with the residents of the Camus Meadows who were seeking a reasonable solution to their desire to join the electrical grid.
• I raised questions concerning the 20 year contract signed with Puget Sound Energy in terms of its value to PSE as compared to the value the Chelan PUD will be receiving.
• Challenged the PUD to reconsider the Alcoa Contract and include contract openers during its 17 year life to deal with the rapidly changing power prices.

For those who are not acquainted with me, this is a brief Bio.

• Age: 69
• Born in Montana, Grew up in DeWitt, Nebraska, population 530
• Graduated from Purdue University: Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering
• Worked with The Boeing Company, Aero-Space Division, aerothermodynamics, applied research
• General Manager of Holden Village, up-lake Chelan, (twenty years)
• Served two terms on the School Board of the Cascade School District
• Served Faith Lutheran Congregation, Leavenworth as Lay pastor
• Project Manager and General Manager of the Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat cultural center development and operation, (ten years.)
• Currently serving as Chelan County Public Utility Commissioner
• I have worked on several boards and committees including:
1. Leavenworth Chamber Board
2. Mission Ridge Public Development Authority board
3. Sleeping Lady Foundation Board
4. Review committee for the Wenatchee Performance Arts Center development
5. Leavenworth Economic Development Committee

My interest in alternate energy developed during my years at Holden Village and continues through the present. I have experience involving:
• Construction manager for a 500 KW hydro plant along with operational responsibilities
• Operating a solar hot water system for a large laundry system
• Developing and operating a composting system for a small community
• Establishing vermiculture projects for home use
• Developed a process to rehabilitate mine tailings
• Directed the design and installation of ground source heat pumps in living and meeting spaces
• Researched and implemented a plan to maximize the use of recycled materials for the Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat development and construction project
• Directed the design and construction of a building cooling system from cold irrigation waterPolice Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach full The Skulls III hd

Guest Political Post:
Here at the virtual headquarters of Lake Wenatchee Info we are always encouraging our readers to submit items for publication. Werner Janssen, candidate for PUD Commissioner District A, asked us if he could write a post for the site, advocating his candidacy. We discussed and decided sure, if anyone is interested in having candidates submit post we are happy to post with the following requirements:
1: the candidate must be running for a local office
2: the post must be specific to the Lake Wenatchee and surrounding communities
3: the post won’t be emailed, it will only appear on the site.
4: the post will have this or a similar introduction.

Lake Wenatchee Info does not endorse candidates, our goal is to be a community information source any comments on this please email admin@lakewenatcheeinfo.comImpulse divx