Clatsop County approves Reach the Beach ride permit with conditions and $1,500 deposit

Clatsop County commissioners voted to approve a county road event application for the American Lung Association’s Reach the Beach bicycle ride, scheduled for May 16, 2026. Community Development staff recommended approval with conditions and a $1,500 deposit to cover potential expenses the county or local districts may incur.

Gail Henriksen, the Community Development Director, told the board the one‑day event will route riders from Sauvie Island to Fort Stevens and is expected to involve roughly 700 bicyclists and about 20 support vehicles. Henriksen said staff included standard conditions in the permit and will require reimbursement of actual costs if county districts report expenses after the event.

Commissioners discussed permit fees and the potential need to adjust them in future to offset impacts on county law‑enforcement and road resources. Commissioner Banks said districts that incur costs during large events are reimbursed after staff bills the organizers, and she suggested studying fee adjustments for future events.

A volunteer with the sheriff’s department urged clearer organizer communication and said volunteers often are relied upon for basic assistance such as water or rides in difficult sections of course; the volunteer asked that expectations be communicated to organizers. Henriksen said those concerns can be addressed during application negotiations and noted Hood to Coast and other large events will also come before the board for approval in coming months.

A commissioner moved to approve the county road event application as submitted with the recommended conditions and a $1,500 deposit; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; Commissioners Webb and Thompson were noted as excused at roll call.