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White Salmon adopts interim $≈400 tree-replacement fee amid bridge project impacts
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2026-03-641 to establish an interim fee-in-lieu for replacing special and significant trees—estimated at about $400 per tree—while the Tree Board finalizes recommendations, responding to notices that nearly 200 trees may be removed for the Hood River–White Salmon bridge replacement.
The White Salmon City Council on March 18 adopted an interim fee-in-lieu for replacing regulated trees, citing urgency after notification that the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Replacement project could lead to the removal of nearly 200 trees.
Planner Rowan Fairfield explained that the interim fee is estimated at about $400 per replacement tree, a figure based on nursery costs, Public Works installation, and three years of maintenance. Fairfield said the fee is temporary and will be updated after the Tree Board issues a formal recommendation.
Council debate focused on timing and context: Council Member Morella Mora preferred waiting for the Tree Board’s recommendation, while Council Member Ben Giant supported interim action to avoid missing mitigation opportunities. Council Member Doug Rainbolt expressed concern about tying fees to a regional bridge project and said his support should not be read as endorsement of applying the fee to that specific project. Council Member David Lindley argued the city otherwise would assign no value to tree loss.
The council voted 4-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-03-641 (moved by David Lindley; seconded by Ben Giant). Collected fees will be used for community tree-canopy improvements; staff said the amount and structures will be revised once the Tree Board completes its work.
