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Skamania County

A collection of 55 issues

🏔 Storm Recovery, Public Lands Tensions & Gorge 2030 Signals – Skamania BOCC Jan ’26

January was a dense month for Skamania County commissioners. Across three meetings, the board navigated storm recovery, federal land-management challenges, public-safety funding pressures, and early signals about the long road ahead for the Gorge Management Plan 2030 process.

🔥 Gorge Commission Passes Disaster Recovery Amendment - What Changed, What Didn’t, and What Comes Next - 1/13/26

The Gorge Commission unanimously approved a major disaster-recovery amendment, aiming to speed rebuilding after the Rowena and Burdoin fires. But federal concurrence and staffing gaps still stand between new rules and real relief.

🏡 Gorge Commission Debates "Cheater ADUs" & Looks Ahead on Tribal Consultation - Dec 2025 Committee Meetings Round-up

From debating “cheater ADUs” to navigating tribal consultations, here’s what happened across three December Gorge Commission committee meetings, and what it means for housing, transparency, and the next Gorge Management Plan.

🪏Who’s In Charge, What’s Funded, and When We Break Ground - Jan 2026 Bridge Meeting

The Bridge Authority kicked off 2026 with updates on federal grant delays, tribal agreements, and stormwater design. Monitoring equipment is going online, and all commissioners were reappointed. The decision on new co-chairs was postponed to a future meeting.

🏔 New Year for Skamania BOCC, WSU Updates, & Dog Mountain Shuttle Uncertainty - 1/6

Skamania commissioners kicked off 2026 with routine approvals, leadership assignments, and early warning signs to watch this year, including uncertainty around Dog Mountain shuttle funding, public safety concerns, and long-term planning tied to the Gorge Management Plan 2030 Update.

📬 Letter from the Editor: On Local Journalism, Power, Tech, and What Comes Next

Why does this newsletter exist? In a time of shrinking local papers and growing news deserts, I reflect on how new tools, shared skills, and peer learning can help rural communities like ours reclaim accountability, transparency, and our right to timely local journalism.

🍝 From Short-Term Rentals to Spaghetti - Dec 2025 Skamania Cities Civic Recap

From million-dollar city reserves and farewell speeches to vacation rental rules and recreation court upgrades, December saw big moves from local leaders across Skamania. Here’s your detailed roundup from Stevenson, North Bonneville, Underwood, and the PUD.

🚤 1% Levy Vote, Winter Emergency, and Boat Launch Changes - Skamania BOCC 12/16-12/17

Skamania commissioners adopted the 2026 county budget (2–1) with a 1% levy increase, approved year-end Supplemental Budget #4, and declared a winter-storm emergency. Earlier in the week they passed a new boat launch ordinance raising fees and limiting out-of-county guide permits.

🔥 Fire Survivors Wait as Gorge Commission Debates Recovery Rules - Dec 2025

The Gorge Commission spent hours debating disaster-recovery rule changes after the Rowena and Burdoin fires. While counties and survivors urged urgent action, unresolved tribal consultation and federal approval concerns stalled a vote, leaving rebuilding timelines uncertain.

💵 County Budgets, Timber Fears & Overtime Pressures - Skamania BOCC Recap 11/25 - 12/2

Commissioners heard strong public objections to the Underwood zoning ordinance (now delayed), reviewed tight year-end revenues, and grappled with rising jail overtime, delayed state funds, and justice-system staffing strain.