Wasco County is set to tackle ongoing land management challenges following a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting on July 2, 2025. A key focus was the county's strategy for addressing problem parcels of land, particularly those that have been difficult to manage due to outdated mapping and classification issues.

Commissioners discussed the limited number of properties currently available for sale, noting that efforts to inventory and auction off county-owned land have been hampered by complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The county plans to revitalize its land management team to address these issues, particularly concerning parcels that have caused problems for code enforcement and planning departments. The team aims to identify and resolve issues with unbuildable land sections that may have been overlooked since state remapping in 1990.

In another significant discussion, the county addressed map clarifications related to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Kelly Halsey Glover, the Community Development Managing Director, reported that the county's updated deer and elk winter range maps had not been recognized by the Columbia River Gorge Commission. This oversight has now been corrected, thanks to recent communication from the USDA Secretary of Agriculture, which acknowledged the county's land use designation clarifications.

The meeting underscored the importance of accurate mapping for effective land management and wildlife conservation. With all relevant parties, including the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in agreement on the updated maps, the county is poised to move forward with implementing these changes.

As Wasco County continues to navigate these land management challenges, the outcomes of these discussions are expected to enhance local governance and improve community engagement with land use policies. The county's proactive approach aims to ensure that land management practices align with both environmental needs and community interests.