Hood River County Commissioners met with Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer to discuss a set of legislative concepts being put forward by Blumenauer and Senator Ron Wyden on recreation enhancement, wildfire resiliency, and conservation of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.      Commissioners had wide ranging questions and concerns, but many revolved around forest management, wildfire, and the impact on adjacent County forestlands.  County Forester Doug Thiesies told Blumenauer the focus might be on federal lands, but any action leads to collateral effects and risk for the County’s land holdings.  Commissioner Arthur Babitz offered that his experience with the Forest Service is that it’s funding and money that’s needed rather than new departments and designations.  Blumenauer told the Commission the federal government needs to change its approach to managing federal lands and should spend more on that, but it is a hard sell in Congress.  Commission Chair Mike Oates invited Blumenauer to take a tour of the County forestlands to see how they are used and managed.