Klickitat County Commissioners have set July 1 as the new date for a ban on outdoor burning to take effect in the County’s Burn Ban Zone Three, which is the western portion of the County.  Burn bans in the other two zones are already in effect.  Originally the Zone Three ban was to have begun June 15, but continued wet conditions in the western part of the County had led Commissioners to delay its start.  Outdoor burning except for authorized agricultural burning will be banned as of July 1.  Residential barbecues will be allowed.  Burn ban zone maps can be viewed at klickitatcounty.org.

Several agricultural organizations have formed a new alliance to focus on strategic water investments and policies that will promote water and agricultural sustainability.   Members of the newly formed Oregon Agricultural Water Alliance include the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, Oregon Water Resources Congress, Northeast Oregon Water Association, and Water for Life Inc.  The alliance formed a steering committee and contracted with consultant Greg Addington, who has experience in organizational operations and state water policy.  Priorities identified by the alliance include shifting state water policy to focus on an adequate, safe, and affordable food supply and growing other environmentally beneficial agricultural products; creating more water storage both above and below ground; building drought resiliency; interstate cooperation in water supply and management; demanding more agency accountability; and reducing litigation.  Additional goals established by the coalition include educating policymakers on the importance of forward-looking water policy, and advocating for investment in water supply.  

Columbia Gorge Community College awarded 195 certificates and degrees during its recent commencement exercises.  Approximately 70 graduates participated in the ceremony, held in the outdoor amphitheatre on CGCC’s campus in The Dalles.   CGCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin addressed the Class of ’22, calling upon graduates to advocate for social justice wherever their lives may take them.  Katrina Mace was recognized as the Outstanding GED Graduate for 2021-22, and Kristin Bighorn as the Outstanding Degree/Certificate Student.  The college recognized writing instructor and author Tina Ontiveros as Faculty of the Year, and CGCC digital access and public services librarian Tori Stanek was recognized as staff member of the year.

Hood River County Commissioners gave their blessing for the County’s Forestry Department to continue exploring a forest carbon project.  County Forester Doug Thiesies told Commissioners they have been talking with The Climate Project, an Oregon-based non-profit that has a portfolio of 111 of these kind of projects around the country.  Josh Fila of The Climate Project told Commissioners that Hood River County could get a premium for the carbon credits from maintaining forestland without changing its current management practices.  County Commissioner Arthur Babitz summarized the proposal as being paid not to change their management plan, but also pointed out he would like to see how it would fit in a longer financial stability model for the County.  Commissioner Les Perkins said looking down the road, involvement in a carbon project could put the County out in front of future regulation and create goodwill.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission has decided to extend the comment period on its Climate Change Action Plan, which means it also will push back its planned adoption.  Gorge Commission Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowski told the Wasco County Commission that the Gorge Commission’s Executive Committee made the decision on Tuesday morning to take comment until August 9.  As a result, consideration for its adoption drops back to October.  Wasco County Commissioners will be receiving a presentation from Gorge Commission staff on the plan in July to help them formulate their response to the document.  Wolniakowski told the County Commission that the plan is not a regulatory document, adding it sets out goals and objectives but doesn’t create new policies.

The Washington State Department of Ecology will be taking comments over the next month of the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Goldendale Energy Storage Project.  Online public hearings are planned for Thursday at 6 p.m. and June 30 at 10 a.m., with both accessible at ecology.wa.gov.  An in-person hearing will take place next Tuesday, June 28, at 6 p.m. at the Goldendale Grange.  Comments are also being taken through July 25 at ecology.wa.gov.

The Hood River County Library District will be developing a new strategic plan over the next four months.  Library officials say they have opportunities for community members to participate this summer and early fall both virtually and in-person.  A community survey is available at hoodriverlibrary.org through July 1.  In addition, in-person town halls are scheduled for July 14 at 6 p.m. and July 16 at 10 a.m. at the Hood River branch of the library, along with a virtual town hall on July 15 at 1 p.m.  Participants can register at hoodriverlibrary.org.  There will also be feedback opportunities in library branches this summer.  Elements of the plan will be reviewed and discussed at Library Board meetings in September and October.    

The Mid-Columbia Housing Stabilization Summit will take place on Wednesday at The Dalles Middle School.  Mid-Columbia Community Action’s Kenny LaPoint says this event is to highlight resources available to those at risk of eviction, especially with pandemic-related protections ending on July 1.  Also to be discussed are equitable housing stability resources that reach all people, and the connection between behavioral health and housing stability.  The summit will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and is targeted to service providers and caseworkers, but is open to anyone.  To sign up, go to mccac.com.

Klickitat County Commissioners on Tuesday rescinded plans to have the County’s Burn Ban Zone Three start its burning prohibition Wednesday due to continued wet and cool conditions in the western portion of the County.  Commissioners will discuss the issue again at their meeting next Tuesday.  Klickitat County Emergency Management indicates residents should anticipate the burn ban will go into effect as soon as July 1.  Burn bans are currently in effect for zones one and two in the central and eastern portions of the county.  Burn ban zone maps can be viewed at the Klickitat County Emergency Management website.  Also, check with local fire authorities about burning restrictions within the corporate limits of any city or town.

A woman from Dallesport died in a head-on collision Tuesday morning on Washington Highway 14 west of the Lyle tunnel.  According to the Washington State Patrol, the car driven by 60-year-old Donnita Wolcott was westbound just west of the Lyle Tunnel at milepost 76.6 at around 9 a.m. on Tuesday when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with an SUV driven by 66-year-old Barbara Matosich of Lyle.  Wolcott was pronounced deceased at the scene, while Matosich was taken to Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles with undisclosed injuries.  The WSP indicated there were no passengers in either vehicle.