News Briefs
Wind Project CUP Hearing in March
On March 12, the Columbia County Hearing Examiner will hold an Open Record Public Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project. The CUP application was submitted in December by the project’s developer, Puget Sound Energy.
The hearing will be held at the Seneca Activity Center in Dayton, and will begin at 9:00 a.m. Members of the public will be able to submit written and oral comments to the Hearing Examiner at the public hearing.
A report by the Columbia County Planning Department containing proposed plans and conditions for the project will be available for review on March 5th at the Department office at 114 S. Second St. in Dayton. The report will also be available online at www.columbiaco.com, under “Planning”.
Portions of the planned Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project are to be located in both Columbia and Garfield Counties. The Columbia County portion is expected to include up to 351 wind turbines with an anticipated generating capacity of approximately 632 megawatts. The total project will include approximately 795 turbines. The project will also include associated transmission lines, substations, roads and operations and maintenance (O&M) facilities. Puget Sound Energy anticipates that major construction on the project in Columbia County will begin sometime in 2012.
Commissioners to Consider ORV Ordinance
At least two dozen people attended the Columbia County Board of Commissioner’s February 22nd meeting to voice their support for the creation of a county ordinance allowing off-road vehicle (ORV) operation on county roads.
Sheriff Walt Hessler presented to Commissioners a copy of an ordinance recently adopted by Garfield County Commissioners. “The goal is to have mirror ordinances so ORV riders don’t have to worry about breaking the law when crossing county lines,” said Sheriff Hessler.
The specific roads designated for ORV use will be determined by the County Engineer and Sheriff. Most members of the audience expressed a desire to have the North Touchet Road included in the designated road list.
Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Lisa Ronnberg spoke in favor of the ordinance which targets recreational riders, stating that organized jamborees or other similar events would bring additional recreation money to the area.
Jeff Turner urged the commissioners to act quickly on the matter. The Commissioners agreed to use the Garfield County ordinance as a model in order to save time and effectively minimize confusion for riders. The proposed ordinance must be reviewed by the County Prosecuting Attorney.
A formal public hearing is scheduled for Monday March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. The public may give formal input or opinion on the proposed ordinance at that time. By law, copies of the proposed ordinance will be available for public review two weeks prior to the hearing date.
CCRLD Has New Board Member
The Columbia County Commissioners appointed June Riley to the Columbia County Rural Library District Board of Trustees at their February 22nd meeting.
A California native, Riley moved to Dayton from Ferry County, Washington two years ago with her husband and three school-age children. She is currently employed as the deputy prosecuting attorney for Columbia County.
“I’m passionate about learning, books and protection of our freedom of speech,” says Riley. “I also believe it’s important to get involved in your community.”
Riley will complete the last three years of a five-year term made vacant by the recent resignation of board member Jessica Coffey.
Planning Commission Seeks New Members
The Columbia County Commissioners are inviting letters of interest from residents to fill two vacant seats on the Columbia County Planning Commission.
Seat number three will be filled by a resident of Commissioner District 1, with a full term ending December 31, 2014. Seat number one will be filled by a resident of Commissioner District 2, with a partial term to end December 31, 2011.
The Planning Commission advises the County Commissioners on changes to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and development regulations in the unincorporated county. It also reviews subdivision requests from landowners. The Commission meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the County Planning Office.
Letters of interest should be submitted to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, 341 E. Main St., Dayton, WA 99328. For more information, call the Columbia County Planning Department at (509) 382-4676.
Dayton Second Street Project to Begin in May
The City of Dayton will open bids on March 10th for the South Second Street reconstruction project. Work on the street, from Main Street to South Park Street, is expected to begin in mid-May and be completed in August, prior to the start of the new school year.
According to Dayton Mayor Craig George, the road surface, curbs and sidewalks will all be replaced as part of the project. ADA ramps will be added at all corners and storm drains will be improved. The width of the street between the curbs will be narrowed by eight feet. Also, a section of sewer line between Main and Clay Streets will be replaced.
During the project, portions of Second Street will be closed to traffic. A detailed traffic plan will be released by the City in March. All homeowners along the length of the project will have access to their property from alleys or side streets.
Dayton City Clerk Trina Cole says that the total cost of the project will be approximately $785,000. Funds will come from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, with a 10% local match.
Timeless Cowboy Appeal
Pictured from left to right are Janet Lyon, CCRLD Director, Don Britain, Josiah White, Rebecca White, Ben Weatherford, Benjamin White, Katie White, Alyssa White and Marigrace Weatherford.
Eleven books written and illustrated by the well known early 20th century cowboy author, Will James, were presented to the Columbia County Rural Library District, much to the delight of several young library patrons. The books were a gift from the Will James Society, whose gift-giving program donates books to rural community libraries to help retain the memories of the old west. Walla Walla resident and Society member, Don Britain, made the presentation.
Pop! Goes My Heart
This year's Variety Show at the Liberty Theater is all about "LOVE". For times and ticket information see the calendar entry.
Visit the Liberty Theater Website
Back Row: Kendall Field and Alexus Snyder; Front Row: Alisha Johnson, Carissa Price and Angie Dedloff.