[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6585553,"mediaKeyId","5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a","parentId",5609067,"title","Clatsop County hears FEMA—updates on draft flood-risk maps, levy accreditation and biological-opinion schedule","audioSeconds",1908,"startMs",211000,"endMs",2119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a&start=211&end=2119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a/thumbnail_211000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6585553/Clatsop-County/Oregon/Clatsop-County-hears-FEMAupdates-on-draft-flood-risk-maps-levy-accreditation-and-biological-opinion-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585553-91be34d25fb02fc0ef4c73bc247682b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774867920&Signature=YAEkGRbpz~FZvPs7mYQBIZ1O4Pzveyx8C84e6uX5BadarSJmPnlDogInQHdC7OJZ9b5dc4ymFMRO~heoLTFyqR9PUtEwrC2w-Bev3M1ZObzPhHfpFGeXgmZ6SH2Wifp4RZjhbhtysW9MhXcd3Pl42uoqJLWVj8GAXTi~r~nShN7wcHBb76KFFtf9dyIdWFgnoGB6zgOe8TRROtt2maVzbybYqqRFZDjxRb-2ucKFRltfoBKSwbmoTOZrUtrk7j9ih-mbApYx6uungBv6BIEzgpihK~fMhjAEZKJ268H9J3tTGotIi0H0eQhqvc1~KoLRYOMDpKgmtt8agkeLhwcHaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clatsop County, OR","date","2025-08-20T18:47:54.153Z","article","Gail, the county's community development director, told the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners at a work session that FEMA released preliminary flood-insurance risk maps in July and a draft environmental impact statement tied to a FEMA biological opinion will be released for public comment this Friday, with the comment period closing on October 6.

The county's planning director said the preliminary maps add new special flood hazard areas and velocity zones along the coast and in portions of Warrenton, Astoria, Tongue Point and Brownsmead. She said the proposed maps could add \"over a thousand new structures to the special flood hazard area\" and that the county's fairgrounds would be assigned a base flood elevation of 12 feet; any new development there would have to be built at least 1 foot above that elevation.

The briefing underscored two related processes: (1) FEMA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and its schedule for public comment and final decision on a biological opinion intended to achieve \"no net loss\" of wetlands and floodplain function, and (2) FEMA's ongoing mapping work and a separate, multistep levee-accreditation process that affects base flood elevations and building requirements.

Why this matters: The preliminary maps would impose additional building and elevation requirements in coastal communities and in unincorporated areas; velocity-zone designations also add structural and elevation standards that increase development costs. Commissioners raised concerns about the potential economic and practical impacts on cities, the port and the county's limited buildable land.

Gail said FEMA began mapping the estuary and river mouth areas in 2009 and that the federal agency released the updated maps and revised flood-insurance studies on July 17. She said FEMA has scheduled a virtual meeting for September 5 at 9 a.m. to discuss next steps and levee-accreditation work. She added FEMA's timeline for formal adoption is uncertain and, depending on funding, could be more than a year away.

Commissioner Thompson asked whether changes reflected mapping of previously unstudied areas and whether levee accreditation or new base flood elevations were driving the additions; Gail said many areas had never had a base flood elevation established and that some changes appear tied to levee accreditation status. She used the county public works facility on Olney Avenue and the fairgrounds as illustrations: the public-works site had been in an A zone with no established base-flood elevation; the proposed study has assigned specific base flood elevations. In the fairgrounds example Gail said FEMA did not provide credit for the existing dike and assigned a 12-foot base flood elevation, while removing an elevated parking lot from the special flood hazard area.

Commissioners discussed options for challenging or appealing the maps. Gail said jurisdictions may collaborate on appeals or pursue challenges individually; each city and the county would later adopt their own flood insurance rate maps once FEMA posts a final letter and adoption schedule. She reminded the board that the last significant coastal map update occurred in 2018 following an earlier challenge and restudy.

On the biological opinion and related regulation, Gail said FEMA previously told jurisdictions to select a pre-implementation compliance measure (PICM) by Dec. 1 and implement it by July 31; the county notified FEMA it would consider adopting a model ordinance but has not acted. FEMA extended an initial deadline and has required jurisdictions to begin data collection for mandatory reporting starting Jan. 1, 2026. Gail said FEMA unexpectedly released a draft EIS for public comment this week; the public comment period closes Oct. 6. After the final EIS and a Record of Decision, FEMA would send each jurisdiction a formal letter; the draft EIS states jurisdictions would then have eight months to submit a review path and 18 months to adopt regulations once FEMA approves a path.

Commissioners asked about partnerships with the port (which will fall under City of Astoria maps), the state's role and how long accreditation takes. Gail said the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has an NFIP coordinator who has served as a liaison but that DLCD is not responsible for implementing the biological opinion; FEMA enforces compliance with local jurisdictions. She said levee accreditation is a multi-phase, lengthy and costly process and that cities and the county should coordinate with the Army Corps, FEMA and each other where possible.

Commissioners also discussed longer-term adaptation strategies such as relocating infrastructure to higher ground, acquiring land and state-level policy responses; several commissioners emphasized limited buildable land and the high costs of either repeated appeals or large-scale levee projects.

The board did not take formal action at the work session. Staff said they will circulate the FEMA meeting invite and staff will review the draft EIS and prepare comments for the board to consider during the public comment window.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to continue coordinating with cities, the port and state liaisons and asked staff to bring the Sept. 5 FEMA meeting information and the draft EIS to the board for review and potential comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCC 8-20-25","oneSentenceSummary","Gail, Clatsop County's community development director, told the Board of Commissioners that FEMA released preliminary flood-insurance risk maps in July and that a draft environmental impact statement tied to a FEMA biological opinion will be available for public comment this week, with the comment period scheduled to close Oct. 6.","taxTitle","Clatsop County, Oregon","taxId",55348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585539,"Warrenton Fiber asks Clatsop County for industrial-revolving funds to install anodes on Tansy Point dock",484,3878000,4362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a&start=3878&end=4362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a/thumbnail_3878000.jpg","/articles/6585539/Clatsop-County/Oregon/Warrenton-Fiber-asks-Clatsop-County-for-industrial-revolving-funds-to-install-anodes-on-Tansy-Point-dock","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585539-38c84a5d0cb0e70a64ce128a4b3995aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1774867920&Signature=MN~yQHpHhHrBuTemnS4JhZ01XkbXPV0ylq97N9ACR~vhlikNmrKlFPkRbqcYGlPauU1L6XFEAD5E9Fn6LMgqDgXiVXrGLO-URGUfZ0yrJlUO8rvyoJX6R-MfE4Nh0GayZYT7ZXdbeC4Wknwd-4Cl7MbffO3LGKB6Fau44i3ynh1~PRZn39-DSPcEzPxgFMFmJgMoyng4MNikXC04l1W0pEZwAME~cbvMujGP2lvjtu0wt-FV4B1pxcH-hrMdsjdwdYyok0Uo4tSaaYCfgjFX5~LZ4~4D8e3rsQUSbHzUPMBq7gW03dCG1xA37rcP~lzvMvoo-z8M9vTO-ZrTb5gAuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monica Steele, Clatsop County's assistant county manager, briefed the Board of Commissioners on a funding request from Warrenton Fiber for work on a dock at Tansy Point.

Steele said the dock is owned by the City of Warrenton and has been leased by Warrenton Fiber since 1986. The company employs about 90 people and the requested work would preserve and extend the dock's useful life for economic activity (chips and cargo). The city has already purchased approximately $31,000 worth of sacrificial anodes for the dock; Warrenton Fiber seeks industrial-revolving-fund support to pay for installation, quoted at about $189,000 and subject to prevailing-wage requirements because the cost exceeds $50,000.

Steele said the county's industrial revolving fund has approximately $3.3 million remaining after a separate $1 million allocation for the Westport Ferry Road bypass. County staff said the installation would likely begin Aug. 28 and continue during September; the quoted contractor is Cascade Dive Company and the work involves underwater attachment (welding) of 71 anodes to the dock face.

Commissioners asked technical and procurement questions. Commissioner Webb asked what an anode does; speakers explained it is a sacrificial metal element that protects submerged metal structures by corroding in place rather than allowing the primary structure to degrade (analogous to boat hull anodes). Commissioner Wakula described the electrochemical protection function and noted replacement of anodes is less costly than replacing the structure.

Staff said if the board is interested, the item will be returned as a business-agenda item with a funding agreement for formal action.

Ending: The board expressed interest and staff will return the funding agreement and supporting documents at the next available regular business meeting for a formal decision.","Monica Steele, assistant county manager, told commissioners that Warrenton Fiber is requesting roughly $189,000 from the county's Industrial Revolving Fund to install 71 sacrificial anodes on a city-owned dock at Tansy Point; the city has already purchased the anodes for about $31,000.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585544,"Human Services Advisory Council recommends reappointing Grama North; county to place appointment on business agenda",115,3722000,3837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a&start=3722&end=3837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a/thumbnail_3722000.jpg","/articles/6585544/Clatsop-County/Oregon/Human-Services-Advisory-Council-recommends-reappointing-Grama-North-county-to-place-appointment-on-business-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585544-42ac1ec3cd482dc6fa22259d4fde0dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774867920&Signature=D3SN77tY3GnRE9k~z7dH2xleC68TT0NxGYyVL-dx2UR-6yxzyHxUXlMhPUeR8XwAfBXyDERYbkFauU77EWgnb5aoserV~mX1hLLsWXHgsqBwHt-F8-AK-iWvw4eBo-~d7c5TTxFgRINdydZFruMBfC~xlBY19LgAgH9~Oz21KR3Ww5K99N8OeTa-o~SMiQCiTcPjCbp8mZUvb1CP~Asj~KDq4ukRzize6tGbcvMw1cKxaETh70h02SFdBj71zqnZo-zjGwsiB4tV1tbpJ51Wx~KVqCKOqJweEppRk5j~qsvHFDs-xrvYjuShOTUtpWUqYvY~FzEUJEkPyLFQ~ilu9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lisa Schuyler, the county's human-services advisory council liaison and overdose-prevention coordinator, told the Board of Commissioners that Grama North applied to renew his seat on the nine-member Human Services Advisory Council and that the advisory body voted to recommend his reappointment.

Commissioner Webb said the application lists District 3 but the applicant resides in District 5; Schuyler and Webb agreed to correct the district information. Staff said the reappointment will be returned for a formal appointment at a future business meeting.

Ending: No formal action was taken at the work session; staff will place the reappointment on a business agenda for the board to act.","Lisa Schuyler told commissioners that Grama North applied to renew his seat on the nine-member Human Services Advisory Council and that the council recommended his reappointment; Commissioner Webb noted a district correction for the applicant and staff said the appointment will be returned on a future business agenda for formal action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585549,"Clatsop County reports rising methamphetamine and fentanyl fatalities; new rapid toxicology testing deployed",1580,2140000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a&start=2140&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609067-c456e6b2ffce7c40ba32cadf45efb31a/thumbnail_2140000.jpg","/articles/6585549/Clatsop-County/Oregon/Clatsop-County-reports-rising-methamphetamine-and-fentanyl-fatalities-new-rapid-toxicology-testing-deployed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585549-dc1f589f1065c2cd7f1370c298396abb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774867920&Signature=FdgH6rH0mQU1HRquIwqRkpVzrqYyRHDe9W~2dT~kSDpFBFGYOAKCTNN-Y8ng1rxxLSla4sTg0Kc23TT8TArSVIoQMJoUmt0HijDbdxZ9-XGe1hN3vjvmYatug6Zp2ZeXeMQtuts3YuGvnuN~tbbOQewNvunEVr5fDgn0aTZcIrNjyVdTkSiKtOca9M-D2FHSCjjKIJQETdeHmSSwqTeV1EeGr~IhAnc-QGwx8ruaEq8wvM5Xqj-wkTxQrb40ZSbyBfeKfnZVilURZiSRCQZ0zuEBBot0KaBj-Qqeqb5LC6jfZ-1sbr4yJHtVk73VmfSh2bUzYCtCk-EGiGbour8dlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elizabeth DeVisser, the chief medical-legal death investigator at the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, and Lisa Schuyler, Clatsop County Public Health's health-promotion supervisor and overdose-prevention coordinator, presented a regional overdose surveillance and response plan and new medical- examiner testing results at a county work session.

They said the plan, finalized June 30, covers Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties with Clatsop County serving as the regional lead. The plan sets three surveillance levels (green, yellow, red) tied to emergency-department data, county toxicology results and community reports; county tracking since July has mostly shown a sustained \"yellow\" level.

DeVisser said the county purchased a tabletop toxicology instrument (Randox-brand testing referenced in the presentation) and began using it in April. The machine runs a 29-drug panel and delivers preliminary, verifiable results in about one week compared with an up-to-six-month wait for state lab results; that faster turnaround has let the county detect trending substances and share data with partners sooner.

Key findings presented: local medical-examiner data show a rise in fatal overdoses from roughly 7 per year to 17 in 2023'024 for Clatsop County; 2025 preliminary data indicate continued pressure (presenters said preliminarily there were 23 suspected overdoses in 2025 to date). The county's toxicology results show fentanyl and methamphetamine as the two most prevalent substances, with a growing number of polysubstance deaths that combine stimulants and opioids.

Why this matters: Faster toxicology results help medical examiners, law enforcement and public-health partners respond to emerging trends more quickly. DeVisser said rapid results assist detectives who may be developing criminal investigations and help public-health partners target naloxone distribution, harm-reduction outreach and treatment referrals.

Lisa Schuyler described how the rapid data enable targeted communication and coordination among harm-reduction providers, hospitals, the behavioral-health resource network and deflection programs. She said overdose deaths make up almost half of the county's accidental deaths; 71% of the overdose decedents in the reported period were male.

Commissioners asked how the data affect on-the-ground interventions. DeVisser said medical-examiner findings are shared directly with detectives to support supply-side enforcement when appropriate; Schuyler said public-health and community partners use the trends to inform outreach, school programming, harm reduction and service capacity.

The presenters noted new trends including xylazine detections and emphasized polysubstance risks. They also described community outreach such as an upcoming candlelight vigil for Overdose Awareness Day and ongoing school and prevention programming.

Ending: Commissioners thanked presenters and offered support; staff said they will continue sharing data with partners and using the rapid testing to better target prevention, harm-reduction and enforcement efforts.","County public health and the medical examiner described a regional overdose surveillance plan covering Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties, increasing polysubstance fatalities (notably methamphetamine and fentanyl), and a recently acquired rapid toxicology machine that shortens result times from months to about a week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clatsop County hears FEMA—updates on draft flood-risk maps, levy accreditation and biological-opinion schedule

Warrenton Fiber asks Clatsop County for industrial-revolving funds to install anodes on Tansy Point dock

Human Services Advisory Council recommends reappointing Grama North; county to place appointment on business agenda

Clatsop County reports rising methamphetamine and fentanyl fatalities; new rapid toxicology testing deployed