Open Gorge: The Skamania Dispatch & Klickitattler

We wrap up a busy March 2026 in North Bonneville, covering recent City Council actions and a critical Planning Commission meeting. We discuss the city’s proactive mapping of underground utilities, the ongoing regional environmental friction spilling into local comment periods, and a massive 71-page update to the Critical Areas Ordinance that could impact riverfront property owners.

In This Episode:

• Mitch Patton's public comment regarding the Bradford Island cleanup board.
• The expensive push to replace an obsolete fire hydrant near City Hall.
• The search for a summer maintenance worker and streamlined building permits.
• Why a 71-page environmental code update is crucial to keeping state grant money flowing.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written Dispatch at skamaniadispatch.com
• North Bonneville City Council & Planning Commission Agendas: https://northbonneville.net/government/council-meetings/
• Critical Areas Ordinance draft amendments: https://northbonneville.net/planning/periodic-review/

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

Skamania County is bracing for the financial fallout of a state-level budget mistake that threatens local public health services. We also dive into the aging infrastructure of our temporary homeless shelters and a culturally charged interview for the regional library board. This episode covers the Skamania County Board of Commissioners meetings from March 17 and March 24, 2026.

In This Episode:

• Public health budget frictions emerging out of the WA state legislative session
• Why county buildings used for emergency shelters are reaching the end of the line.
• A look at the intense cultural stakes surrounding the open Fort Vancouver Regional Library board seat.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written Dispatch at skamaniadispatch.com.
• Review the raw Agendas & Minutes: Skamania County Meetings Portal
• Documenter notes used in this episode are available for republishing under Creative Commons license CC by 4.0. With thanks to the Columbia Gorge Documenters, powered by Uplift Local: https://upliftlocal.news/columbia-gorge/columbia-gorge-documenters/

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

Governor Ferguson approved the massive Carriger Solar project in December, but a major judicial review petition from the Yakama Nation has brought development to a grinding halt. Today, we break down the legal and cultural friction at play, and explain why this Klickitat County lawsuit matters for the entire Gorge. Plus, we touch on updates from the Cascade Renewable Transmission project, and look at a new state mapping tool that brings a huge win for public transparency.

In This Episode:

• EFSEC's new "eProgrammatic" GIS mapping tool goes live for public use.
• Substitute House Bill 2496 passes the legislature, paving the way for better government-to-government tribal consultation.
• Updates on the Cascade Renewable Transmission (CRT) project's environmental review process.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written Dispatch at skamaniadispatch.com
• Read the full text of EFSEC Resolution No. 360 detailing the Yakama Nation's arguments: EFSEC Resolution 360
• Track the Carriger Solar project and find raw meeting materials at the EFSEC Project Page
• Access the new eProgrammatic Transmission Tool at efsec.wa.gov (Search "Programmatic")

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

In today's episode, we dive into the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners meeting from March 24th. We look at a massive emergency contract extension needed to cover medical leaves at the 911 dispatch center, exposing the hidden vulnerabilities in our rural emergency networks. We also cover traffic safety and the continuing discussion over Accessory Dwelling Units. 

In This Episode:

• Speed limits are officially lowered to 35 mph on Hill and Counts roads following neighborhood advocacy.
• Growing friction with WSDOT over 60 mph speeds near the SR 14 Lyle tunnel trailheads.
• The county's move to make Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) easier to build by cutting bureaucratic red tape.
• The looming 2027 delay of the state's controversial new building and wildland-urban interface codes.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written Dispatch at skamaniadispatch.com.
• Review official agendas, minutes, and public comment forms at the Klickitat County Website.

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

The replacement of the Hood River-White Salmon bridge is accelerating, but a multimillion-dollar land dispute with Oregon State Parks threatens to drain local funds. Today, we cover the 3/9 & 3/23 HRWS Bridge Authority meetings, break down the creative cross-border strategies local leaders are using to fight back, the logistical nightmare of dismantling the old toll booths, and the ticking clock on federal funding.

In This Episode:

• The impending collision between the new bridge and existing toll booths
• Historic tribal agreements and federal red tape
• Washington D.C. lobbying efforts to unlock $8 million in stalled cash
• The October 2026 federal funding cliff

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written Dispatch at skamaniadispatch.com
• View meeting agendas, packets, and public comment forms at: https://hrwsba.gov/meetings
• Gorge Documenter notes on the HR Port Authority Meeting: https://www.documenters.org/assignments/regular-meeting-19442/report/
• Documenter notes on the 3/9 HRWSBA meeting: https://www.documenters.org/assignments/bi-monthly-meeting-19253/report/
• Thanks to Columbia Gorge Documenters for releasing their notes under CC by 4.0, powered by Uplift Local: https://upliftlocal.news/columbia-gorge/columbia-gorge-documenters/

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

Klickitat Board of County Commissioners is shifting into an offensive legislative posture as local budgets get squeezed by Olympia and Washington D.C. This week, we break down a massive seventeen-year accounting error by the state that shorted the county two million dollars, the data privacy risks of the new federal SAVE Act, and what you can do right now to protect the White Salmon Library from future budget cuts. Catch up on the 3/17 Klickitat BOCC meeting.

In This Episode:

• The unfunded mandate crisis crushing rural public defense.
• The thirty-five million dollar price tag of the federal SAVE Act on Washington auditors.
• A step-by-step guide to defending the White Salmon Library's budget.
• The upcoming April fifteenth tour of the Boardman "Families First" childcare center.

Resources & Links:

• Read the full written version of the newsletter at SkamaniaDispatch.com
• https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/643/Board-of-County-Commissioners
• https://www.familiesfirstchildcarecenter.com/about
• Email the Board of County Commissioners: [email protected]

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.

At the March 10th 2026 Skamania County Board of Health Meeting, our unique geographic location is creating a "blind spot" for local health data, making it harder to track viruses like the flu and RSV in our community. Plus, the health department is teaming up with the Prosecutor's office to ramp up crackdowns on severe nuisance properties to protect our groundwater and prevent major fire hazards.

In This Episode:

• The Skamania County Board of Health adopts a brand new Mission, Vision, and Values statement.
• A look at the new administrative rules for appointing Board of Health members.
• Updates on the role of the Board of Health in tackling environmental hazards and nuisance properties.
• A new six-week chronic pain management class is starting in the county.

Resources & Links:

• 🗞️ Read the full written Dispatch: skamaniadispatch.com
• Chronic Pain Class Info: Call (509) 427-3850 to register.
• Regional Health Info: Contact Amy Raney (SWACH Coordinator) at (564) 397-5721.
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 9th at 1:30 PM.

Meeting Materials: https://www.skamaniacounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/17644/639083204898800000

Stay Connected with the Gorge

The Skamania Dispatch and The Klickitattler are community-led projects of OpenGorge.org.

To stay updated on local news, governance, and community events across the region, you can sign up for both newsletters at SkamaniaDispatch.com. For real-time updates and to join the conversation, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OpenGorge.