The Skamania County Commission, acting in its role as the County’s Board of Health, has rescinded its order closing recreational hiking.  That coincides with efforts underway by the Forest Service to relax closures of trails and recreational sites within the Gorge.  The Gifford Pinchot National Forest did open some areas on its lands on Friday, but the Forest Service currently has an administrative closure order in place for lands in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  Officials say they recognize concerns relating to the influx of visitors to the county and the potential for an increase in COVID-19 cases, but also believe the ability to open sites where they can be safely opened will help immensely in distributing visitor use.    County officials also noted visitors were already helping themselves to recreational opportunities on the Pinchot regardless of current closures.  They suggest visitors come prepared with masks, water, hand sanitizer and toilet paper.  Officials say they added many portable restroom units for the public.

Oregon and Washington fishery managers announced seasons and regulations for 2020 summer and fall Columbia River fisheries.  Although sockeye and fall Chinook returns show improvement from 2019, below average projections for summer Chinook, coho, and upriver summer steelhead will require another year of reduced or closed seasons and bag limits.  The summer season will be limited to sockeye and steelhead retention.  The fall season is based on a projected return of fall Chinook that is about 12% higher than last year.  Due to the low projected returns for upriver summer steelhead, protective regulations are needed again this fall including a one steelhead daily bag limit in June and July, area-specific steelhead retention closures beginning in August, and Thermal Angling Sanctuaries associated with Eagle Creek, Herman Creek, and the Deschutes River.  For more information about upcoming Columbia River seasons, including regulation updates, visit www.myodfw.com.

Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties have been approved by Oregon Governor Kate Brown to enter Phase 1 of reopening starting Friday.  Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege posted the letter he received from the Governor on his Facebook page early this morning, and the reopening for the other two North Central Public Health District counties was confirmed on the three counties’ Unified Command Facebook page.  There has been no word on Hood River County’s Phase 1 application, with the Governor holding a press conference this morning.  In Brown’s letter to Hege, she says reopening does not come without risks, and the contact tracing, testing, and personal protective equipment requirements that were part of the conditions for opening are essential to mitigate a transmission increase of COVID-19.