New bridge project main talking point for port

Bridge approach

Stuart Myers, a senior ecologist with Portland-based Mason, Bruce and Girard, outlined potential options for the approach span for the new bridge, which will run through Marina Park and require purchasing nearly three acres of land. In the 1970s, the port was awarded a grant from the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to build the boat ramp, docks and install utilities at the marina, but the land was “restricted to recreational purposes only.”

In order to comply with regulations, the port must mitigate the property, or designate other land that is deemed to have the same or better Fair Market Value (FMV). The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority will buy the land from the port, which must meet “equivalent usefulness” and serve the same community, but the port will bear primary responsibility for mitigation since it was the grant recipient. Myers and his team identified several candidates for replacement properties: the Parkdale park, Bauman property (east of Mitchell Point Tunnel), Yasui property (currently private land near Viento State Park) and the former site of a proposed super Walmart in west Hood River. The firm will continue to appraise replacement land to try and meet the FMV. The project will consult with the Oregon Parks and Recreation District (ORPD) and the National Parks Service (NPS) to determine the port’s best options.

Grant contracts

As part of the consent agenda, the board authorized Executive Director Kevin Greenwood to oversee the remaining grant and construction-related contracts for the 10 T-hangars and taxilane on the south apron of the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.

Additionally, the commission approved an Intragovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office (HRCSO) to improve the county’s emergency preparedness. The agreement will provide the HRCSO with a 120-square-foot storage closet and space to park two emergency response cargo trailers. The port described the collaboration as an “in-kind partnership,” and said, “the agreement strengthens the port’s emergency operations network and supports public safety infrastructure.”

The commission also received a State of the Bridge presentation with the most recent sufficiency rating and inspection results. The report also detailed maintenance the port has completed to-date, and suggested upkeep from engineers. (For related story, see Oct. 1 Columbia Gorge News.)

•••

The board of commissioners will meet again on Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.