The Oregon Human Development Corporation has provided funding to provide shelter for migrant farmworkers in alternate locations because of reduced availability in labor camps due to COVID-19 regulations.  Jessica Smith of The Next Door says they have been working with hotels in the Hood River area as the pear harvest begins to be ready to provide housing for those workers that need it, although they aren’t sure how much they will need.  Food and transportation services are also provided in the program.  Farm owners or farmworkers in need of the program can call The Next Door at 541-308-7099 for information.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission rebuffed attempts to either remove urban area boundary revision guidelines from the 2020 update of the National Scenic Area’s General Management plan or what opponents termed a “hard cap” on what would be considered minor revisions, but the panel voted unanimously on a proposal to increase the cumulative limitation for any one urban area’s increase to 50 acres or 2% of its land base, whichever is less.  Wasco County representative Rodger Nichols’ amendments to remove the revision completely and attempt to have the limitation amount removed were both defeated by 6-5 votes.  Nichols said the limits are a road block to economic growth for Gorge communities. Countering, Oregon Governor’s representative Bowen Blair did not feel there was overwhelming opposition to the limits other than in The Dalles.  Hood River County representative Michael Mills’ proposal to increase the limitations to 50 acres or 2% from 20 acres and 1% was approved unanimously, with commissioners for the limits saying they saw that as a compromise, while those against said they felt they had to support it after the result of the first two votes.  Gorge Commissioners are holding two days of meetings to decide on final language in the Management Plan, with a vote on the full plan coming later.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission approved an amendment for its 2020 update of the National Scenic Area’s General Management Plan to adopt a 200-foot wide buffer along cold water refuge streams including the Wind, White Salmon, Little White Salmon, Hood, Klickitat, Deschutes, and Sandy rivers.  That would match what is already applied in the Special Management Area.  There was also language introduced that would have included tributaries, but that was removed over concerns about the impact of private landowners and the lack of opportunity for comment.  The approval vote was 8-3.

The U.S. Forest Service reopened Multnomah Falls to visitors on Tuesday with some precautions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Manager Lynn Burditt said it was a soft, limited opening, adding how visitors conduct themselves will determine if the Falls can remain open.  She said they have a one-way grid, and people will be able to go to the lower viewing platform, but no further with the trail and Benson Bridge remaining closed for social distancing concerns.  Currently there will be 300 visitors allowed at a time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to check in and wait in a socially distance queue.  A ticketing system is expected to be implemented in the next two to three weeks.  Face coverings will be mandatory for all visitors.  

With 29 active COVID-19 cases at this time in Hood River County, County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg says that is more than the County had during stay at home orders early on in the pandemic.  In a video posted on the Hood River County Health Department Facebook page, he says wearing face coverings is more important than ever.  He also emphasized close contact with other people is how the virus spread, adding they don’t have a good handle on exact behaviors that are causing transmission except person-to-person.

One of the constant questions before many governmental officials in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic is how to message to the public to encourage the use of face coverings and social distancing to prevent spread of the virus.  Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege says that panel’s basic approach has been to present as many facts as possible to people so they can make decisions.  But he also says they continue to talk about how best to reach people.  Hege adds they’ve seen much higher use of masks and public social distancing in Wasco County, but social distancing at private gatherings remains a concern.

A 68-year-old Portland man died in a one-car accident on Highway 197 in south Wasco County on Sunday afternoon.  According to the Oregon State Police, a preliminary investigation revealed the car operated by Eugene Hernandez was northbound on Highway 197 near milepost 61 at a high rate of speed at about 2:25 p.m. Sunday when it left the roadway, rolled numerous times, and hit a power pole.  The OSP says Hernandez was not wearing a safety belt, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased.  The OSP was assisted by South Wasco Fire Department, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department Of Transportation.

Authorities are asking for help from anyone who may have seen how the Fir Mountain Fire started on August 1.  Kyle Nairns of the Oregon Department of Forestry says their investigation into the fire’s origins is on-going.  He says there were people in the area that evening, and they are hoping that anyone who may have seen anything will let them know.  The Oregon State Police tip line is available for people to report what they observed the evening the fire started.  That number is 800-452-7888.  The containment level for the Fir Mountain Fire was increased to 80% over the weekend as mop-up operations continued, and full containment is expected on Wednesday.

Port of The Dalles Executive Director Andrea Klaas says July was a busy month for receiving inquiries from businesses seeking locations to build, in spite of the pandemic.  Klaas said they are working with a couple of new small businesses looking for sites, and have received inquiries from others.  She says a big reason is that money is inexpensive to obtain right now, making it a good time for businesses to consider building projects.  Klaas does say for many businesses their interest is exploratory in nature, but she added that a couple of the projects are local, which tend to have a better chance of becoming reality.

Pear harvest is getting underway in the Mid-Columbia.  Some orchardists have begun to pick fruit from their trees.  Labor supplies are an annual concern, especially this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hood River Valley orchardist and County Commission Chair Mike Oates says his operation appears to be down a few employees, but he added crop size is down a bit from last year.  He says making sure everyone stays safe is the top priority.  Oates says they are taking everyone’s temperature when they come into the orchards, have masks available for those who can’t social distance, housing processes were changed, and sanitation protocols have been increased.