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Skamania County commissioners approve letters on Northwest Forest Plan comment and USDA land acquisitions
Summary
The Skamania County Board of County Commissioners approved two letters: one submitting commentary on the Northwest Forest Plan and a second to U.S. Department of Agriculture leadership expressing concerns about ongoing land acquisitions by the Gorge Commission and potential tax impacts.
The Skamania County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve two letters: one commenting on the Northwest Forest Plan and a second addressed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture about continued land acquisitions by the Gorge Commission and the potential tax impacts on local jurisdictions.
During meeting updates Chair (Speaker 1) said two items were time sensitive: the county’s commentary on the Northwest Forest Plan and a drafted letter to the "new secretary of agriculture" regarding continued land acquisition by the Gorge Commission. Chair (Speaker 1) said the letter would also be shared with local school district superintendents and federal lawmakers and that he had been "getting community support." The chair named Brooke Rollins as the new USDA secretary and said the draft would be sent to her; he also named Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray as intended copy recipients.
Commissioner (Speaker 4) said he preferred one of two submitted versions of the Northwest Forest Plan comment and commissioners agreed that all three should sign the letter. Commissioners discussed past communications with federal representatives and that previous letters asked federal agencies not to proceed without local discussion; Chair (Speaker 1) said prior responses indicated the agency would continue acquisitions.
Commissioner (Speaker 4) moved to approve both letters (Northwest Forest Plan comment and the letter to USDA leadership regarding land acquisition); Commissioner (Speaker 5) seconded. The motion passed by voice vote; the chair declared the motion carried after all commissioners present responded "aye."
Commissioners asked staff to circulate the finalized letter to the clerk for signatures and to ratify the letters at the next meeting if needed. The transcript records a discussion about timing: the comment period for the forest plan was described as due that Monday, "the 17th," and commissioners agreed staff should transmit the final text promptly.
