County considerserosion, flu, fishery issues

Wahkiakum County commissioners discussed how to send comments to Governor Chris Gregoire and a variety of other issues including swine flu and Grays River erosion when they met Tuesday.

Using a letter proposed by Skamokawa fisherman Kent Martin, commissioners are planning to send comments to Gregoire expressing dissatisfaction with the Washington Wildlife Commission and its chair, Miranda Wecker, over comments and policies regarding allocation of salmon resources.

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla asked that she be allowed to edit the letter a bit so that it wasn't quite as sharp as presented. She also asked that it be forwarded to the boards of commissioners in Pacific and Clatsop counties, who have joined Wahkiakum commissioners in a coalition to comment on fishery issues.

"I think it would be much stronger coming from all three counties," Marsyla said.

Commissioners Dan Cothren and Blair Brady said they were satisfied with the sharp tone of the letter, but they agreed that it would be good to have the other commissioners sign the letter.

"We have to send a message, and it has to be firm," Cothren said. "We can't tone it down. That hasn't worked in the past.

"It's just, you don't get any action, just talk," he added. "Don't tone it down. We've got to stand up for our constituents and hold firm."

Health Department Administrator Judy Bright reported that the county's supply of vaccine for seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu varieties is in short supply.

The health department has admininstered 401 doses of H1N1 vaccine, she said, and 425 doses of seasonal flu vaccine.

Staff were administering seasonal flu vaccinations that day Tuesday, and she expected to use up the existing supply.

The department has a small supply of H1N1 vaccine, and it will go to children age and high risk adults.

The county's supply is on back order, she said, with no firm date for delivery as demand is very high across the nation.

"We've had people from other areas of Washington, from Astoria, calling us to be vaccinated," she said.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen reported that the Grays River is continuing to erode the shoreline along Mattson Road, and he has met with a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist to discuss possible remedies.

He and property owners are looking for low cost ways of protecting the bank, he said. He plans to schedule a meeting with property owners in the area to brainstorm solutions.

"I'm just trying to buy time till there's some money available," he said. "The property owners are concerned that there's no long term solution, but how do you pay for it?"