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White Salmon adopts interim $400-per-tree fee as bridge project risks canopy
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2026-03-641 establishing an interim fee-in-lieu of tree replacement estimated at about $400 per tree after notification that nearly 200 trees could be removed for the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Replacement project.
The White Salmon City Council on March 18 adopted Resolution No. 2026-03-641 to add an interim fee‑in‑lieu provision to the city’s Land Use Fee Schedule for protected tree replacement. Planner Rowan Fairfield told the council staff estimated the interim fee at “approximately $400 per replacement tree,” based on nursery, installation and three years of maintenance costs.
Staff said the interim fee is needed because the Tree Board’s formal recommendation was not yet complete and the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Replacement project may result in roughly 190 tree removals in city-affected areas. Fairfield said the fee would be revisited after the Tree Board submits its final guidance and that any collected funds would be used for community tree-canopy improvements.
Councilmember Morella Mora said she preferred waiting for the Tree Board recommendation, while Councilmember Ben Giant supported adopting a temporary fee to avoid missing mitigation opportunities. Councilmember Doug Rainbolt said he worried the city should not impose fees tied to a regional bridge project as a matter of policy, but clarified his vote should not be read as full endorsement of applying the fee to that specific project.
On a motion by Councilmember David Lindley, seconded by Councilmember Ben Giant, the council adopted Resolution No. 2026-03-641 establishing the fee in lieu of tree replacement. The motion carried 4-0. The Tree Board is expected to provide a formal recommendation that may update the fee amount or methodology.
