SPOKANE, Wash. -- Access to the West Branch of the Little Spokane River will remain open to the public thanks to an acquisition by the state Fish and Wildlife Department.

It closed a $6 million deal Monday for 1,700 acres between Horseshoe Lake and Fan Lake about 18 miles southwest of Newport in Pend Oreille (PAHN'-doh-RAY') County.

The Spokesman-Review reports the state also bought 1,100 acres in the same area last year from the Rustler's Gulch Syndicate for more than $3 million.

The purchases were funded through the Washington Recreation and Conservation Grant Program and the state Wildlife and Recreation Program.

The land will be managed for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.

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