Flood zone hearing set

Wahkiakum County commissioners set the stage for creation a flood control zone for Cape Horn and handled a variety of other business when they met Tuesday.

The board set a February 9 public hearing on a resolution to create the district, which will enable Cape Horn residents to sponsor beach nourishment work and levy a tax to support the work.

Residents of Cape Horn and East Sunny Sands have been seeking beach nourishment with dredge spoils to counter erosion to their shorelines.

Commissioner Dan Cothren reported the county and US Army Corps of Engineers have approved their memorandum of understanding to work together on the project. The Corps is preparing right-of-entry forms for residents to sign and allow dredge crews to work at their property.

Managers of the county's transit system, Wahkiakum On The Move, will hold a town hall meeting on February 11 to answer questions and discuss ideas to improve service.

Transit Manager Kelly Reser said the system has acquired surplus shelters from River City Transit in Cowlitz County and wants input on where they should go.

The system is also adding a 30-day pass costing only $10, which should increase ridership, she said.

Commissioner Mike Backman asked if managers were considering adding a Saturday schedule.

"I really want to push for a Saturday function," Backman said.

Reser had prepared an analysis of the impact of a Saturday schedule that included no trips from Cathlamet to Naselle. The expense of the driver and the operational costs would run $479.67 per day, $25,422.51 for a year.

Health and Human Services Program Manager Chris Holmes said that they've surveyed riders and others and found little demand for Saturday service.

"If we get the feedback, we'd be more than willing to change," Holmes said.

He added they asked state funding sources every year for money to increase the routes to the westend and Naselle, but the requests haven't been granted.

In response to a question from Commissioner Blair Brady, Reser and Holmes said they are adjusting routes so that buses will transport people from Johnson Park in Rosburg to an Are You Homeless program today (Thursday).

The system isn't licensed for charter work, Holmes said, but they can adjust routes to support county and community programs.