Klickitat County Commissioners and the Columbia River Gorge Commission have signed off on a deal that will see a member of the County planning staff work in the Gorge Commission office in White Salmon once a week to assist County residents with their permit requests.  It’s all part of an effort to reduce a backlog of land use applications by Klickitat County property owners in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The County has never passed a Scenic Area ordinance, and has no plans to, but Commissioner David Sauter says they needed to find some way to help their constituents get their applications processed.  The agreement does not have an end date, with either party able to terminate it with 30 days notice.  Sauter hopes to see significant progress on the permit backlog within a year.

Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Idaho Republican counterpart Mike Crapo introduced a bill to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program, which supports schools, law-enforcement and roads in more than 700 rural counties with federal forestland across the country.  The bill would extend the program for three years at 2011 funding levels, rolling back years of declining payments.  It would provide a total of roughly $360 million annually for more than 700 counties across the U.S.  It would also restore mandatory funding of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which compensates counties that contain federal lands.  Wyden called county payments a lifeline for cash-strapped rural communities.

Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden and Washington Third District Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler joined more than a dozen other representatives at a press conference calling for a swift resolution to the labor slowdown affecting ports up and down the West Coast.  Walden outlined the disastrous consequences the crisis has caused for farmers and manufacturers in Oregon, like tree fruit growers in the Columbia Gorge and potato and onion growers in Eastern Oregon.   Walden also announced that he has cosponsored a Congressional resolution expressing the sense of the U.S. House that the port operators and longshoreman union should swiftly conclude their contract negotiations and that, if they do not, the President should use all tools at his authority to intervene in the matter and end the dispute.

As the drama surrounding Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber continues to unfold, legislators in Salem are trying to carry on with the business of government.  57th District Representative Greg Smith says he is optimistic the Legislature will continue moving forward, but he adds the Kitzhaber situation is a distraction.  The Heppner Republican adds there are a number of issues that need Kitzhaber’s attention.  Senate President Peter Courtney has told reporters since a meeting with Kitzhaber on Tuesday that legislative work has not slowed during the gubernatorial turmoil.

A new craft beer alliance combining the breweries located in the Columbia River Gorge has been formed.  Ten breweries from Cascade Locks to White Salmon will debut a map and passport program Saturday coinciding with Zwickelmania, a free Oregon Craft Beer event that offers visitors a chance to tour breweries, meet the brewers and sample beers.   Christine Ellenberger of Everybody’s Brewing is the group’s first president.  The group plans to promote the region’s award winning breweries, host joint events, and highlight the Gorge region as a top beer destination.

Washington 14th District State Representative Norm Johnson is pushing a bill to expand the state’s “College in the High School” program.  The program allows 11th and 12th graders to earn college credit in high school, and House Bill 1031 would allow 10th graders to do it as well.  Johnson says it’s an important program for high school students and their parents, helping to get college credits accumulated before they enroll and start paying tuition.  The bill recently went through the House Education Committee, and is awaiting action in that chamber’s Rules Committee.

Columbia River Gorge Commissioners heard an overview of the Oregon Population Forecast Program, which they believe can be a key tool to help regional planning efforts.  Portland State University’s Population Research Center will be in charge of the program that begins in September to provide a comprehensive statewide population and demographic forecasting program.  Gorge Commission Executive Director Darren Nichols believes the data will be important to the area’s planning needs.  PSU has provided population estimate service for communities for years, but this program will provide a coordinated statewide forecast to be renewed every four years without local governments having to expend large amounts of resources.

Washington 14th District State Representative Gina McCabe is working on a bill to help increase employment for veterans.  McCabe’s House Bill 2040 would create a program she envisions being called “One Business, One Vet” to encourage every business to hire one veteran.  She would like to start in the Goldendale area, keeping statistics showing the numbers of businesses who have a hired a veteran to encourage others to get on board.  McCabe says tax credits would not be a part of it, saying the point is to do the right thing and provide jobs to those who have served their country.

The Hood River County School District will make up the two school days cancelled in November due to inclement weather.  Students will have school on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12.  June 12 will be a full school day and the final one of the year.  If the district experiences any further inclement weather days, the district will address them as they occur.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area fire managers are taking advantage of the cooler weather to finish pile burning for the winter.  About 300 piles will be ignited if smoke dispersal conditions are available west of Dog Mountain.  Prescribed fires are a proactive tool used to achieve a number of resource management objectives including ecosystem restoration and reduction of hazardous fuels.   Smoke will be visible generally in the central Gorge between Wind and Dog Mountains.  Motorists traveling should use caution and reduce speeds if smoke drifts across Washington State Route 14 and other local roads.  The actual day of ignition for these prescribed burn projects will depend on several factors including appropriate temperature, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction.