YOUTH & THE INTERNET CLASS OFFERED IN ASTORIA APRIL 2

Find out what kids already know about the Internet in a free one-day training program offered by the Clatsop County Juvenile Department Monday, April 2.

The class runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Clatsop Community College’s Columbia Hall, Room 219 at the Astoria campus.

“Looking Behind the Curtain of the World Wide Web” provides a comprehensive view of Internet use, including social media, cyber-bullying, texting, “sexting,” on-line gaming, cell phones and scams. Instructor is Michael Buttice, juvenile counselor from Washington County.

A two-hour version of the program will be offered that evening, 6-8 p.m., at the same location.

For more information, including registration, contact Laura Parker, Clatsop County Juvenile Department, (503) 325-8601.

Clatsop Jail Expansion to be discussed at community meetings

Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin will talk about the ballot measure for the Clatsop Jail Expansion at the following community meetings:


Astoria City Council at the old Yacht Club Building, April 2nd at 7pm.
Gearhart City Council at Gearhart City Hall, April 4th at 7pm.
Seaside Kiwanis, April 5th at the Seaside Pig and Pancake at noon.
Cannon Beach City Council, April 10th at Cannon Beach City Hall at 5:30pm.
Seaside Rotary, April 26th, at the Seaside Shilo Inn Hotel at noon.

Sheriff Bergin will also present information on the Tree Bill, (Dangerous trees along the right-of-way), signed into law by Governor Kitzhaber last week.

If you would like a presentation for your community group, call Sheriff Bergin at 503-791-0072.

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON PROPOSED CAPE LOOKOUT STATE PARK PLAN

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is conducting a public hearing in Netarts on April 10 to accept comments on the draft Cape Lookout State Park Comprehensive Plan. Cape Lookout is 12 miles southwest of Tillamook, and serves 132,000 day visitors and 108,000 campers a year with world-famous trails, camping, beach play and picnicking. The plan addresses public needs for recreation on the ocean shore while dealing with natural resource issues such as increased coastal erosion.

The hearing will be held April 10, 2012 in the Netarts-Oceanside RFD Community Hall, 1235 Fifth Street Loop, Netarts, OR at 6 p.m. The hearing marks the start of a 30-day comment period ending May 10, 2012, leading to proposed adoption of the plan under Oregon Administrative Rule 736-018-0045.

The comprehensive plan for the park provides direction on future development and management of facilities and resources. The plan does not include a schedule for making changes or identify funding for park development; it describes the desired future condition of the park.

The plan is available online.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved the draft Cape Lookout State Park Comprehensive Plan in November 2011 after a year of public outreach and comments.

The public comment period closes 5 p.m. May 10, 2012. Public comments will be taken at the April 10 hearing, or may be made in writing to Ron Campbell, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer Street N.E. Suite C, Salem, Oregon 97301-1271, ron.campbell@state.or.us.

The rule will then be finalized based on comments received, signed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Tim Wood, and entered into the state rule.

Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon advance request by calling (503) 986-0733.

NW Oregon employment figures essentially unchanged in February

Oregon’s employment statistics for February show little change from January’s figures. According to Erik Knoder, Regional Economist at the Employment Department, Clatsop County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in February, Tillamook County’s seasonally adjusted rate was 7.8 percent, and Columbia County’s rate was 9.4, all essentially the same as the previous month. Columbia County’s number of unemployed tops the region with 2,656 listed as unable to find work.

Merkley Cosponsors Bill Supporting Wind Power

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley this week cosponsored the bipartisan American Energy and Job Promotion Act, a bill that will extend the Wind Production Tax Credit for two years. Without an extension, the tax credit will expire at the end of this year.

“This tax credit has helped companies create thousands of jobs in Oregon and plenty of clean energy,” Merkley said. “Companies that are making investment decisions right now are already cutting back in fear this tax credit will lapse. We need those manufacturing and construction jobs and we need clean energy, so we need to extend this tax credit without delay.”

The Wind Production Tax Credit provides 2.2 cent per kilowatt hour credit for power produced by qualifying renewable energy sources. The tax credit has existed since 1992, but expired on several occasions - in 2000, 2002, and 2004. In each of those years, there was a dramatic decline in installed wind capacity in the United States. If the tax credit expires, the American Wind Energy Association, an endorser of the bill, concludes 37,000 manufacturing jobs will be lost.

Volunteers need for Earth Day clean up in Oregon

Earth Day's SOLVE IT on Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. is seeking volunteers throughout Oregon.

Efforts will include planting trees, pulling invasive plants and removing trash that litters wildlands, roadsides and beaches in Oregon.

To sign up as an individual or group, go to www.solv.org, find a project near you (dates and times may vary), and click on "register."

OREGON STATE LANDS INFORMATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULED

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) will hold a meeting to inform the public of two programs at DSL concerning wetlands and waterways:

Tuesday, April 3
5:00 --- 7:00 p.m.
Judge Guy Boyington Building
857 Commercial Street
Astoria

Representatives from the department's land management and removal-fill programs will discuss the basics of both programs, as well as bills passed in the 2011 legislature and how they will affect each program. An hour is set aside for discussion after the presentations.

Senate Bill 600 added additional waterway leasing exemptions and enabled the department to issue a general permit facilitating drainage in agricultural land. Other legislation made changes to statutes governing general permits (SB 518); surface water withdrawal (House Bill 2189); linear removal-fill projects (HB 2700); and the Economic Recovery Review Council (HB 766).

Draft administrative rules will be available May 1, 2012. A public rule hearing is scheduled for Astoria on June 5, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial Street, Astoria.

APPLICANT SOUGHT FOR CLATSOP COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Clatsop County is seeking a citizen to serve on the Human Services Advisory Committee.

The committee advises the Clatsop County Public Health Department on services for local residents with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and drug or alcohol addictions.

The opening is for a term ending February 2015. The Board of Commissioners will make the appointment.

Applications will be taken through April 6. Application forms are available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Quick Links-Citizen Involvement,” from the office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, or by calling (503) 325-1000.

CLATSOP SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS OF ELECTRONIC ‘PHISHING’ SCAM

The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of a “phishing” scam operating locally.

Under the scam, the suspects send an email or text message purporting to be Verizon representatives and advising the message recipient that his or her Verizon account has been locked. The message asks the recipient to visit the link embedded in the message, which then requests the person to provide personal information such as date of birth, account numbers, bank account and routing numbers and Social Security numbers among other personal information. The link and email generally look legitimate; however, they are not.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends that if you receive emails or texts from companies you do business with, that you do not hit the link embedded in the message. Instead you should retrieve the company’s phone number from a statement you have received and call them, or if you would rather address the matter electronically over the internet, type in the address yourself into the browser and then follow the links from the legitimate website.

Remember these companies already know your account number; they don’t need to ask you for it. This is also true for your other personal information; if they initiate the contact and then start asking you for personal information, it is likely that you are talking to a scammer who will use the information you provide to access your accounts and steal from them.

Lastly, the Sheriff’s Office recommends that you check your bank statements, phone bills, credit card bills and other accounts on a monthly basis and question any charge that does not appear legitimate. The scammers have changed practices and instead of emptying accounts or charging large amounts they are charging smaller amounts in the hope that they will go unnoticed by the victim.

If you believe you have been targeted by this type of scam, call the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office at (503) 325-8635.

CLATSOP COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE OFFERS YOUTH ATV SAFETY COURSES

The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office is making available ATV safety classes to Clatsop County youth this month.

Effective January 2012 all youth riding ATVs on public lands in Oregon are required to have completed a "hands-on" class. The Sheriff’s Office presents the ATV Safety Institute Ridercourse, a four-hour ATV safety course, and the OSU/4H Youth Rider Evaluation Program, a two-hour session designed for those youth who already possess riding skills beyond the basic level.

The classes take place at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds on Walluski Loop.

On Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m. the OSU/4H evaluations will be held. To register, go online to OregonATVSafety.com. There is a $20 fee for the evaluation which will be collected online when registering.

Students registering for this program will be required to have obtained the Oregon ATV Safety Education Program card prior to enrolling. To obtain this card go to rideatvoregon.org and complete the on line training. This training is free.

At noon on March 24 the ATV Safety Institute Ridercourse class will be conducted, also at the fairgrounds for youth 6 to 15 years old. To register for these classes call 1-800-887-2887. There is a $55 fee for these classes, but Oregon residents are eligible for a $50 subsidy making the cost to the student only $5. Be sure to request this subsidy when registering.

This training will be repeated on Friday, March 30 with the same schedule, the OSU/4H session in the morning and the ATV Safety Institute session beginning at noon.

There will be one 50cc and one 90cc loaner ATV available for each scheduled session. To request a loaner for the OSU/4H session contact the instructor at (503) 791-4978. For the ATV Safety Institute sessions request the loaner when registering.

Additional information is available on the internet at www.atvsafety.org, www.OregonATVSafety.com or www.rideatvoregon.org.

KMUN antenna damage

Listeners to KMUN, Coast Community Radio, in Astoria and surrounding areas may be wondering why they can't hear the station as well as they usually do. For some, there's just static when they turn on the radio at 91.9 FM and other translator frequencies around the region. That's because strong winds Saturday damaged the station's main broadcast antenna, located across the Columbia River from Astoria, on Megler Mountain in Naselle, WA.

Station Engineer Terry Wilson discovered the broken equipment swinging in the wind after listeners called the station to complain about poor reception. Turns out the top third of the station's $10,000 antenna had snapped off. By mid-afternoon Saturday, broadcast tower climbers from Portland were on the job, removing the broken pieces and securing what was left. The mishap means KMUN will be operating at a fraction of its usual broadcast strength until new equipment is in place, which could take a few weeks.

Station Manager Joanne Rideout said the problem happened at a particularly bad time. “We were in the closing weekend of our annual spring pledge drive,” she said. “That's a time when we pour on the steam to raise money to meet our fund-raising goals. With only part of our listening audience able to hear us, it slowed things down quite a bit.”

The antenna is custom-built equipment that will need to be specially assembled for Coast Community Radio. The station endured a similar mishap in 2009, when wind also felled the station's antenna.

While listeners have reported some static in the station's signal in Tillamook, at KTCB 89.5 FM, the problem should not affect Coast Community Radio's third frequency, KCPB 90.9 FM in Warrenton.

KMUN and KTCB programming is also still available online, streaming live on the web at www.coastradio.org.

Coast Community Radio, on the air since 1983, is rated the most popular broadcaster in the region, according to 2011 data from Eastlan Ratings. Eastlan Ratings provides radio audience measurement data to over 450 radio stations in more than 90 markets across the United States.

CLATSOP COUNTY TRACKING HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

The Clatsop County Public Health Department is urging the public to observe basic preventative health steps as a result of an increase in reports of upper respiratory tract infections across the county.

Surveillance of local hospital emergency departments and urgent care and walk-in clinics has revealed bronchitis, sinus infections, strep throat and a small number of positive influenza tests. One local school district reported that its absenteeism rate peaked at 19 percent, versus a normal rate of 6 to 8 percent.

Predominant symptoms found in school cases are fever, sore throat, body aches, headaches and nasal and chest congestion.

Neither Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria nor Providence Seaside Hospital in Seaside is reporting any increased hospitalization as a result of these infections. However, people with fever and sore throat should be medically evaluated, as untreated strep throat can lead to complications including heart and kidney problems.

The Public Health Department reminds citizens to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness by:

· Covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue away

· Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing

· Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth

· Trying to avoid close contact with sick people

· Getting a flu shot (for those age 6 months and older)

Those who do contract a flu-like illness are urged to remain home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone (if no fever-reducing medicine is used), to reduce the risk of spreading the illness at work or school.

For more information, go to the Public Health page on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us or call (503) 325-8500.

SUICIDE INTERVENTION TRAINING OFFERED APRIL 12 AND 13 IN TILLAMOOK

The Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families and Tillamook Family Counseling Center together are sponsoring the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) program April 12 and 13 at Tillamook Bay Community College, 4301 Third St. in Tillamook.

The training runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Cost is $30 and registration is required.

ASIST is a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated suicide intervention training that reflects current best-practice in suicide intervention. ASIST is the result of more than 20 years of research and development, and is the most widely used suicide intervention program in the world. ASIST is partially funded through a federal grant targeting suicide prevention initiatives.

Participants in the program will learn the signs of suicidal thinking, how to intervene to prevent immediate risk of suicide, and resources available in the local area.

To register, call (503) 842-8201 ext. 271 before April 9. Continuing Education and DPSST credits are available for social workers, counselors and first responders.

COLUMBIA COUNTY PLANE CRASH

Columbia County Sheriff's Deputies conducting a search and rescue operation this morning located the wreckage of a Cessna aircraft near Goble. Deputies recovered two bodies associated with the crash, which occurred sometime yesterday evening.

The Sheriff's Office received notification through Columbia 911 that a cell phone associated with a missing pilot was "pinging" in the area between Deer Island and Goble just before midnight. At 3:38 a.m., deputies located the plane and the bodies of Todd Norrish, 47, Camas, Wash and his 17-year-old student-pilot,Jimmy Kravets, of Vancouver.

The Sheriff's Office notified family members of both occupants of the plane, who had come to the scene in an attempt to locate their missing loved ones.

The scene is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, with the assistance of the Sheriff's Office.

Others assisting with the Search and Rescue effort included Columbia 911 dispatchers, who, the sheriff said, performed admirably in the effort.

"We relied constantly on the coordinates provided by dispatch in locating the downed craft," the sheriff said. "In addition to their handling of media and family inquiries and keeping us abreast of all the assistance and help headed our way."

That help included Columbia River Fire and Rescue personnel, members of the Oregon State Police, the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.

"As soon as we got the call, we activated our Search and Rescue team and immediately began searching the areas where the pinging of the cell phone indicated we should be looking," Dickerson said. "Clark County sent a marine patrol unit specially equipped for thermal imaging and the Coast Guard was also en route with thermal imaging equipment when we located the downed aircraft."

The Sheriff's Office thanks all those public safety agencies who participated in the operation for helping to bring a relatively swift conclusion to the search effort in Columbia County.

GRANT APPLICATIONS SOUGHT IN OREGON FOR NEW COMMUNITY FOREST PROGRAM

A new federal grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments, Tribal governments, and nonprofit entities for establishing community forests is now available.

Passed under the 2008 Farm Bill, the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to pay up to 50 percent of the project costs to a maximum of $400,000. Lands eligible for grants under the program must be private forest at least five acres in size, at least 75 percent forested, and suitable to sustain natural forest cover. The lands must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian tribe.
Lands must also be threatened by conversion to non forest uses, allow public access, and provide community benefits.

Community benefits as described under the CFP include:
* Provides recreational, educational, experiential learning opportunities
* Protects habitat
* Provides economic opportunities
* Improves forest health
* Conserves water supply and watershed
* Establishes model demonstration forests
* Mitigates climate change

More program basics
Community Forests can be owned by local governments, tribes, and qualified nonprofit entities. Public involvement in the establishment and management of the community forest is required.
All projects must complete a Community Forest Plan prior to closing; a draft of the plan is due at the time of application. Full fee title acquisition is required - projects consisting of conservation easements are not eligible.

The program pays up to 50 percent of acquisition costs -- and requires at least a 50 percent non-federal match. Qualified non-profits and local governments apply through the Oregon Department of Forestry; Indian Tribes apply directly to the U.S. Forest Service.

Oregon framework - suggestions for applicants
Applications should include a letter from the private landowner that indicates the landowner is a voluntary, willing seller supporting the project. In addition, projects that contain one or more of the following are encouraged:
- A written and approved Forest Stewardship / Oregon Tree Farm System Management Plan --- or the commitment to develop one before closing on the acquisition.
- Third party certification through the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
- Property demonstrates effective forest stewardship and sustainable forestry as opposed to being in a degraded condition.
- Property is located within an urban-rural interface area threatened with conversion to non-forestry use.
- Land management supports implementation of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's
"Conservation Strategy" (see link, below).
- A strong landowner/public forestry/outdoor education component.

Applications from family forestry related non-profit organizations - with local forestland owner and community involvement, and demonstrated financial and organizational capacity to manage the property - are strongly encouraged. Landowner contribution to the required non-federal match in form of bargain sale is also encouraged.

A preference will be given for properties already demonstrating effective forest stewardship and sustainable forestry as opposed to properties in a degraded condition.

Application deadline

All applicants must send an email to communityforest@fs.fed.us to confirm an application has been submitted to the Oregon Department of Forestry for funding consideration. Hard copy or electronic versions of applications need to be submitted to:
Jim Cathcart
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97310
jcathcart@odf.state.or.us
(503) 945-7493

and received no later than close of business, May 15, 2012. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Jim Cathcart with any questions.

For the national Request for Applications, go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/library/app_fed_rfa.pdf.

For more information about the Community Forest Program: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/privateforests/IncentivesCF.shtml.

For information about the Oregon Conservation Strategy: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/.

Contact Info: Cynthia Orlando 503.945.7421
Jim Cathcart 503.945.7493

Clatsop County Commissioners Board Mtg. Highlights

Ambulance plan update approved

The board adopted an update to the county’s Ambulance Service Area Plan, the first such revision since the plan was originally adopted in 1996.

The ASA Plan spells out the scope of work requirements for the local ambulance service provider, including staff training and licensing, equipment, communications, response times and mutual aid agreements with other agencies.

The ASA Plan is a separate document from the franchise agreement between the county and the current ambulance service provider, Medix Ambulance Service Inc., which was renewed for a 15-year term in 2001.


Land sale approved

The board approved the sale of a 4.57-acre parcel on Highway 202 south of Astoria to the Walluski Western Ltd. Company. The company approached the county last year about purchasing the site, which adjoins Walluski Western’s current operations. The property formerly housed the county animal shelter and currently provides space for the Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew program, including storage for firewood cut by the work crew and provided to local residents in need.

Walluski Western will pay $135,000 for the property and use the buildings on the site to house milling and machining equipment that will employ four people. The county plans to construct a new facility for the work crew at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, using the proceeds of the land sale to fund the project.



Manager criteria approved

The board adopted standards and criteria for the hiring of a new county manager. They include minimum educational and professional requirements, as well as broad management and financial knowledge in the public sector, leadership abilities and communications skills, among others.

The county is recruiting a replacement for County Manager Duane Cole, who is retiring from service May 31. The standards and criteria will guide the recruitment and selection of the new manager, whom the board hopes to select by the end of May.


Ocean energy discussed

The board heard a presentation from Belinda Batten and Meleah Ashford from Northwest Marine Renewable Energy Center on issues surrounding proposed offshore wave-energy development and the organization’s plan to establish a wave-energy research facility on the Oregon Coast. Clatsop County is one of four areas currently under consideration for the site, which would provide space for in-ocean testing of energy devices, as well as research into environmental impacts. In Clatsop County the center’s attention has focused on Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center in Warrenton, which is pursuing a renewable energy initiative.

Board Chair Peter Huhtala urged Batten to seek the input of local fishermen as part of the process.

Employment numbers reviewed

The board heard a presentation from Shawna Sykes and Eric Knoder of the Oregon Employment Department on jobless numbers for Clatsop County. The local seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is currently 7.8 percent, lower than the statewide figure, and the past three months have seen a strong rate of job growth, they noted. But the rebound has been uneven, with manufacturing and retail trade positions returning but leisure and hospitality jobs lagging. Real wages in the county are at 2002 levels, they said.


Dredging comment endorsed

The board voted to send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking that the agency withdraw a draft environmental assessment on dredge disposal plans for the Lower Columbia River. The vote came after comments from Dale Beasley, president of the Columbia River Crab Fishermen’s Association, who told the board that the draft document lacks data on the impact of dredge disposal at the mouth of the Columbia River on wave amplification and crab mortality.


Other Business

In other business the board:

-Approved an amendment to the 2011-12 Public Health agreement with the Oregon Health Authority to account for increased grant revenue of $4,900 for the Tobacco Prevention and Education and $16,200 for Women, Infant and Child (WIC) programs.

-Approved adjustments, effective April 1, to service fees for the Public Health Department to reflect statutory and regulatory changes to the Environmental Health Program and changes to Community Health and Family Planning services.

-re-appointed Russ Farmer to the Clatsop County Budget Committee

-appointed Terri Coulombe and David Hablewitz to the Clatsop County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Coast Guard searches for wreckage, keeps Yaquina Bay bar closed

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Sector Columbia River, in Astoria, Ore., ordered the Yaquina Bay bar remained closed, Tuesday, despite improved weather conditions.

The Coast Guard is working with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers and private contractors to locate wreckage of the fishing vessel Chevelle that may pose a hazard to navigation in Yaquina Bay.

The 70-foot fishing vessel Chevelle ran aground on the north jetty of Yaquina Bay, Saturday. The vessel was broken-up and swept off the jetty due to inclement weather Sunday evening.

The Coast Guard understands the effects the closure has on commerce and will make every effort to re-open the bar as soon as Yaquina Bay is considered safe for navigation.

Injury Crash near Elsie Monday morning

Oregon State Police (OSP) completed the on-scene investigation into Monday morning's minor injury crash involving an OSP sergeant and a passenger car on Highway 26 in the Coast Range east of Elsie. No one required transport to a hospital in the crash that partially blocked the highway for about two hours.

On March 12, 2012 at approximately 8:07 a.m. OSP Sergeant Andrew Merila was clearing the scene of a traffic crash on Highway 26 near milepost 31 when a passing motorist advised him of another minor crash west of that location. As Merila headed westbound at 20 --- 25 mph due to heavy snow road conditions an eastbound 1997 Mercedes four-door lost control coming out of a curve and slid broadside into the westbound lane.

Merila tried steering left to avoid the oncoming car but struck the rear passenger side. The impact spun the Mercedes around and it collided into the right side of the OSP 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility patrol vehicle.

Merila was using safety restraints and his vehicle's airbag deployed. He had a minor injury not requiring medical treatment at the scene.

The Mercedes was occupied by driver BRETT L. VERHULST, age 40, from Naselle, Washington, and passenger JEFFREY HAYES, age 47, from Warrenton. Both men are in the U.S. Coast Guard. VERHULST was not injured. HAYES received minor injury not requiring transport to a hospital. They were using safety restraints.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to damage. No citations were issued.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, Elsie-Vinemaple Rural Protection Fire District, and ODOT.

Pacific County & Hancock Forest Management Join to Further Improve Tsunami Evacuation Routes

Pacific County and Hancock Forest Management (HFM) are working together to further enhance the network of tsunami evacuation routes and assembly areas in the county’s forests.

The routes and new assembly areas are being identified and approved under the Pacific County Emergency Management program. Pacific County is collaborating with HFM, which manages the land where the routes are located.

“Pacific County is thankful for the efforts and cooperation of Hancock Forest Management (HFM) and Region Manager Dave Boyd,” stated Pacific County Commissioner Jon Kaino. “HFM’s commitment to working with the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency to enhance public safety by allowing access to their lands and providing assistance in signing and monitoring evacuation routes and assembly areas is truly appreciated.”

“The safety of the community has always been a top priority for our company,” said Dave Boyd, HFM’s Lower Columbia region manager. “As soon as we were made aware of the desire for improvement to the evacuation routes, we contacted the county and are working closely with them to create additional evacuation routes and assembly areas.”

Under the program, HFM will move its gates on most of the roads to provide access to high ground above a tsunami’s highest possible projected height. Signs will be placed on all of the roads identifying them as tsunami evacuation routes. Several other roads will remain un-gated.

Many of the high points also will receive signs identifying them as assembly areas, or places above the projected high-water mark where it is safe to gather. In the near future assembly areas will be labeled with its location’s specific latitude and longitude. These labeled points will be incorporated into a map of the area available from the Pacific County website: www.co.pacific.wa.us/pcema.

The 12 evacuation routes are located at:

US Highway 101, mile marker 29.4, state radar ridge road alternate for milepost 29.5.

US Highway 101, mile marker 30.8, the south end of Seal Slough Road.

US Highway 101, mile marker 32.2, the Seal Slough 50 spur.

US Highway 101, mile marker 34.5, Middle Nemah.

US Highway 101, mile marker 34.75, Dilley Mainline.

North Nemah Road East, the back end of the Dilley Mainline.

North Nemah Road East, the Hatchery Road.

North Nemah Road East, Williams Creek.

US Highway 101, mile marker 36.9, South Palix.

US Highway 101, mile marker 38.3, Palix Mainline.

Location #1 off Government Road.

Location #2 off Government Road.



The gates are intended to safeguard the Hancock forest lands from vandalism and other unauthorized use, Boyd said. More information on Pacific County’s tsunami evacuation program can be found on the Pacific County, Washington website. (image courtesy: Wikipedia)

NAMES RELEASED - FATAL PEDESTRIAN-INVOLVED TRAFFIC CRASH - OREGON HIGHWAY 30 NEAR WARREN

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Tuesday night's fatal pedestrian-involved traffic crash on Highway 30 between Scappoose and Warren near Rushing Lane. The crash resulted in the death of a Vancouver, Washington man.

On March 6, 2012 at approximately 10:59 p.m. a report was received that an adult male was struck by a westbound sport utility vehicle on Highway 30 near Rushing Lane. Upon arrival, emergency responders confirmed the pedestrian was deceased at the scene.

Investigation indicates JAMES C. WHITEHORSE, age 25, from Vancouver, Washington, was standing or walking in the right westbound lane when he was struck from behind by a 1999 GMC sport utility vehicle driven by JOEL R. GEDUCK, age 18, from Warren. GEDUCK remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

WHITEHORSE was walking west from the Scappoose area when he was struck. Alcohol is a possible contributing pedestrian factor. The area is unlit and visibility limited due to darkness.

OSP troopers the St. Helens and Astoria offices are continuing the investigation. Columbia County Sheriff's Office, St. Helens Police Department, Scappoose Police Department, Columbia River Fire &Rescue, and ODOT assisted at the scene.

The highway was blocked until aboout 3:00 a.m.

Oregon Legislators will hold local Town Hall Meetings

Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson and State Representative Brad Witt will meet with constituents on Saturday, March 10th at the following locations:

9:00 - 10:30am Clatskanie River Inn
600 East Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie, OR 97016

11:30 - 1:00pm Vernonia at Scout Cabin
901 Park Drive, Vernonia, OR 97064

On Sunday, March 11th, Senator Johnson and Representative Witt will be joined by State Representative Debby Boone from 10:00 - 11:30am in Astoria at the Ford Room of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria OR 97103

Senator Johnson and Representative Boone will meet constituents on Sunday in Cannon Beach at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce Community Hall, 207 North Spruce Street, Cannon Beach OR 97110

Bar Pilot in water during disembarking

A female Columbia River bar pilot went into the water during a disembarking last (Sunday) night. According to bar pilot Captain Thron Riggs the pilot was recovered right away and is in good shape. (image courtesy Columbia River Bar Pilots)

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS REVIEW DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN, PUBLIC REVIEW NEXT

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has signed off on a list ranking the projects in the county’s draft Strategic Plan.

At a retreat Wednesday, Feb. 29, the board made few changes to the rankings first proposed last month by the county Planning Commission, which reviewed the plan and weighed each project under a variety of criteria. The board has scheduled a public hearing and final adoption of the document for March 28.

Development of the plan, a key goal of the board, is intended to provide a framework for planning and pursuing the various major projects proposed by the county. The document lists projects already underway, including the Ensign Lane extension at the North Coast Business Park, Highway 101 flooding solution and Emergency Operations Center addition, as well as future initiatives such as the county comprehensive plan update and Clatsop Plains wastewater solution. The plan also includes the projects’ cost, potential funding sources and estimated time for completion.

The strategic plan contains 42 total projects – the planning commission was asked to prioritize 23 items yet to be launched or scheduled. Each panel member scored the 11 planning projects, eight infrastructure projects and four facilities projects based on several criteria, including public need, revenue availability, cost/benefit analysis and support from other agencies.

On Wednesday the board of commissioners changed the rankings of a handful of projects but largely left the planning commission lists intact. Topping the planning project list is a proposed county technology plan update, followed in order of ranking by a historic preservation program, the comprehensive land-use plan update, transmission line standards, re-establishment of citizen advisory committees, renewable energy plan, estuary planning, sustainability plan, housing quality plan and criminal management evaluation.

The infrastructure projects were ranked, in order: Westport Slough dredging, fire station access development, Westport pedestrian improvements, county-wide bypass/evacuation route, Department of State Lands permitting by the county, Clatsop Plains wastewater improvements, Columbia River sediment clean-up and East County dock expansion.

Facilities plans ranking are: North Coast Business Park marketing and build-out, household hazardous waste recycling center, and joint public works location.

Consideration of a people’s utility district for Clatsop County, which was ranked last by the planning commission, was eliminated from the strategic plan by the board. The commissioners left open the option of addressing the idea separately sometime in the future.

The complete draft strategic plan can be viewed on the “Land Use Planning” page on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.