The Hood River County Commission wrote a follow-up letter to their recent conversation with Congressman Earl Blumenauer on his legislative concepts for further preservation designations of lands in the Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  In the letter, the Commissioners state wildfire, drinking and irrigation water, and recreation access are their critical areas of concern.  Commission Chair Mike Oates says a key point they wanted to make is the need for addressing funding to maintain what is already there.  The letter also says additional wilderness designations are of particular concern, noting broad protections afforded by those can interfere with actions to reduce catastrophic wildfire and limit the ability to access and maintain water sources.