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Residents urge Columbia County to revive enforcement of alleged salvage operation in Tucannon area
Summary
Residents from the Tucannon area told commissioners an informal salvage operation at a private property has resumed, citing offensive graffiti, property stored on a neighbor's easement and potential environmental hazards; they asked the county and incoming prosecutor to prioritize enforcement.
Stan O'Rearfield, a Toucanon/Tucannon resident, told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners that a nearby property has resumed operating as an illegal salvage business and is harming neighbors.
"We have a house that's performing... kind of illegal business, a salvage situation," O'Rearfield said, asking the board to pursue three enforcement avenues: criminal enforcement for recurring illegal activity, removal of offensive graffiti that faces public areas, and remedies related to easement violations.
Other nearby residents described late-night disturbances and guest safety concerns at local cabins. A business owner said activity such as tractors and floodlights at 2 a.m. has reduced cabin bookings and harmed local tourism revenue. "People stopped at the store... and said, did you see that sign? Are we even safe coming up here?" she said, describing the effect on the local tax base.
Speakers said former county building inspector Robert Stearns had previously documented violations and referred the matter toward state enforcement; they also reported that EPA investigators had prepared a report prompted by oil, debris and dying trees uphill of neighboring properties. Residents reported having filed harassment complaints with the sheriff after receiving threatening phone calls from outside the area.
County staff and commissioners told residents they had re-sent Stearns's violation notices and the request for misdemeanor charges to the prosecutor's office, and that the board would ask the incoming interim prosecutor, starting the first of the month, to prioritize the case. Staff requested that residents provide documentation of economic impacts, such as lost cabin rental revenue, to support enforcement steps.
No formal action was taken during the meeting; commissioners said the county would pursue follow-up with the prosecutor's office and review existing enforcement files.
