Commissioners approve first step for Upper Grays River Community Forest

Following a lengthy public hearing and discussion Tuesday, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 173-26, “authorizing the creation of the Upper Grays River Community Forest.” The interlocal agreement still has to be approved by Pacific County later this month, according to Commissioner Dan Cothren. Wahkiakum County, the Columbia Land Trust, and Pacific County “have been working to create a Community Forest in the Upper Grays River watershed, spanning both counties,” according to Tuesday’s agenda. The goal of the group “is to bring local control to the community, with an emphasis on conserving working timberlands, generating timber revenues, conserving habitat, improving the health of the Grays’ watershed, and increasing public access and recreational opportunities.” Over the past year, the group “has developed a charter for the organization and identified several potential funding pathways for the first land acquisition.” Ordinance No. 173-26 “creates the Public Development Authority (PDA),” which, according to Tuesday’s agenda, “will be an independent legal entity, whose debts and obligations are solely its own and not those of either county.” During the public hearing, several of those in attendance, as well as those attending online, had questions regarding such themes as public access, who controls what, and the group’s organization itself. Cothren fielded many of the questions, noting “we’ve strategized this heavily.” Recognizing it as “a huge opportunity,” Cothren still conceded “it’s gonna take a little time.”

Earlier in the meeting, the commissioners approved a service level and maintenance agreement in the amount of $20,000 with Communications Northwest. The commissioners then approved Public Works Director Chuck Beyer’s request to call for quotes for rock and asphalt products from suppliers for the year. Beyer also presented a resolution for adjusting rates “for the disposal of solid waste at the KM Transfer Station,” which the commissioners approved unanimously. Noting the heat pump recently went out in the Public Works office, Beyer requested the quote of $8,920.45 presented by Felton Heating and Cooling to be paid out of the Capital Improvement Plan. The commissioners unanimously approved Beyer’s request. Finally, the commissioners unanimously approved Resolution No. 12-26, “adopting the Wahkiakum County Capital Improvement Project List for 2026-2027.” Among the Capital Improvement Projects listed are courthouse interior painting; men’s and women’s restroom ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) upgrade at the Grays River Valley Center and Johnson Park; a utility line upgrade at County Line Park; an upgrade to the youth building doors at the Fairgrounds; and an HVAC replacement at the River Street Building.