By Dispatch Squatch in Skamania County — 24 Jul 2025

🏛️ Skamania County BOCC Meeting Recap – July 22, 2025

Commissioners gathered this week for a full day of approvals, departmental updates, and collaborative workshops. From rebuilding fire-stricken communities to upgrading local infrastructure, the meeting highlighted a mix of practical needs and regional coordination.

Recording fees updated under Resolution 2025-16, aligning document processing charges with state changes.
Tourism boost: New contract with Wind River Trust to enhance business activity at the Wind River Business Park.
Fairgrounds expansion: PNW Structures will construct a new community event building.
Public safety: An agreement with Gifford Pinchot National Forest extends sheriff patrol coverage in federal lands.
Vehicle surplus management: Continued partnership with J. Stout Auctions for county fleet sales.

👥 Staffing, Safety & Budget

Commissioners approved reinstating a Deputy Clerk Criminal Court Clerk II position.
The Safety Committee presented ongoing strategies to reduce workplace hazards.
A Financial Management workshop reviewed revenue forecasts and department needs in preparation for 2026 budgeting.

🧭 Department & Regional Updates

🌲 Columbia River Gorge Commission Report: Wildfire Recovery & Permitting Reforms

At the July 22 BOCC meeting, Columbia River Gorge Commission Chair Mike Mills and Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowski delivered a timely update on the Commission’s efforts to support wildfire recovery across the Gorge. With recent fires—including the Rowena Fire in Wasco County—damaging homes on both sides of the river, the Commission is moving quickly to adapt its permitting framework to meet the urgent needs of affected residents.

🔥 What’s Potentially Changing?

Under current rules, rebuilding a structure in the National Scenic Area requires a full permit application and compliance with Scenic Area standards—a process that can be slow and costly. To address this, the Gorge Commission is working on several reforms:

Extending the rebuilding timeline from the current 2-year window to up to 5 years, recognizing that recovery can take time.
Waiving permit fees for wildfire-related reconstruction projects.
Adjusting sprinkler system requirements for replacement homes where feasible.
Exploring a formal plan amendment to codify these changes while maintaining environmental safeguards.

These efforts are aimed at reducing barriers for homeowners and renters whose properties were damaged or lost in wildfires, without compromising Scenic Area protections.

🗣 Community Input Coming

Wolniakowski shared that the Commission plans to hold public listening sessions in partnership with local counties and fire districts—possibly as early as this month. Meetings could take place at public libraries or fire halls in Klickitat and Wasco Counties, where some of the worst damage occurred.

Commissioners emphasized that at least 14 homes have been confirmed lost or damaged across the Scenic Area at the time of this meeting, and they expect more rebuilding requests in the months ahead.

Their next meeting in September will focus heavily on these policy changes, with the goal of having interim measures in place before the next fire season.

🏗️ Public Works & Community Development

Road crews completed chip sealing and fog sealing on Wind River, Hemlock, and Brooks Roads.
Design continues on Washougal River and Wind River road preservation projects.
Progress was reported on the Butler Eddy Bridge replacement, Baker Road FEMA project, and Skye Road slide monitoring.
Fairgrounds Wi-Fi installation is nearly complete, alongside landscaping and new lighting installations.
Code enforcement, food safety inspections, and septic system reviews remain active during summer events.

🏥 Community Health & Housing

Staff participated in statewide coordination on opioid prevention, behavioral health, and emergency preparedness.
The county continues seeking Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board members.
Housing programs reported routine operations; the department is preparing for 2026 planning cycles.

📅 Next BOCC Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Skamania County Board of Commissioners is:

🗓 Tuesday, July 30, 2025
🕘 9:30 AM
📍 Skamania County Courthouse – Room 18, 240 NW Vancouver Ave, Stevenson, WA
💻 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88906321210
📞 Dial: 1 (346) 248-7799 | ID: 889 0632 1210
📬 Submit written comments by Monday at noon to: sackos@co.skamania.wa.us

✅ Consent Agenda Approvals