Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
Wasco County Commissioners dealt with a number of housekeeping measures at their meeting yesterday, including the sale of 9 pieces of real estate that came into the county for nonpayment of taxes. The sale raised more than $300,000, which more than covered the delinquent taxes
The bulk of the meeting was dealing with an update on the aftermath of the Rowena Fire. Several people praised the emergency responders and the help emergency management was able to get into place quickly.
But with a massive cleanup chore, there were multiple questions. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality is setting up to remove hazardous material at no expense to the homeowners, but that may not be quick enough for some people who have been contacted by contractors specializing in post-fire cleanup, and wondered where they could take material, if they wanted to pay for it themselves.
Commission Chair Scott Hege had this response:
“What I heard today was that any hazardous material has to go to Arlington, and then any other debris will go to a local landfill, but the local landfill is going to require testing. You can do that privately if you prefer. Otherwise, the state is working on how to do it.”
County Administrator Tyler Stone expanded on the topic:
“If you choose to go with a contractor, they need to figure out all their responsibilities. That’s between them and whatever landfill; whatever requirements are out there for this type of a cleanup. That’s not us, saying yes or no to what you want to do on your piece of property, We don’t have that authority.
And secondary effects of the fire are starting to come into play. Larru Russ, a longtime member of the Tooley Terrace water district reported:
“More than half of the residences in that area have been lost. I don’t know the exact number, but it’s going to be a challenge. People of course are going to feel like they can’t pay the water bill when they don’t have a house to stay in any longer, but yet, if we don’t have revenue from them, the water district basically will fail.”
Cleanup will start next week. Residents who would be glad to have DEQ cleanup their place for free need to sign permission slips for the crews to enter their property. Contact Mid-Columbia Community Action Council.