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Columbia County commissioners approve application to extend Dibley Beach lease to 30 years
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted April 9 to authorize staff to apply to the Oregon Department of State Lands for a 30-year lease at Dibley Beach to make the site eligible for state grants and longer-term improvements.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted April 9 to authorize staff to apply to the Oregon Department of State Lands for a 30-year lease at Dibley Beach, a change from the current 10-year lease that expires June 30.
Melissa Enright, general services, said the county is seeking a longer lease so the site can qualify for restoration and infrastructure grants that typically require 20 to 25 years of site control. "We have the form to apply," Enright said. She told the board that a longer lease would allow the county to pursue grants to add restrooms, electricity and water, and would reduce recurring costs such as renting portable toilets.
The matter drew brief discussion about the terms the Department of State Lands (DSL) would include. Enright said DSL had "expressed their support" for the request and that staff would discuss whether a 30-year lease could be written to include automatic renewal clauses that grantors commonly require. Commissioners said they supported moving forward and emphasized the county should confirm the lease language would permit the intended developments.
A motion to authorize submission of the 30-year lease application was approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the board voted "Aye." No additional conditions or a finalized lease were voted on at the meeting.
The authorization directs county staff to file the application with DSL and return to the board with any lease terms, conditions, or follow-up required to secure grant funding. The transcript indicates the current lease term is 10 years and would expire on June 30; details such as draft lease language and whether DSL will accept automatic renewal were described as "to be discussed" with DSL and were not specified in the meeting.
Dibley Beach is used by community members for fishing and recreation; county officials said longer-term infrastructure would improve sustainability and reduce recurring rental costs for facilities such as portable toilets.
Next steps: staff will submit the application to the Department of State Lands and report back to the board with any proposed lease terms or grant-related conditions.
