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FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2023
VOL. 131, NO. 35 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Clatskanie, Rainier set 2023 priorities
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
This bridge is part of the Rainier Riverfront Trail project. WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
2022 has ended, and it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows of the past year and what 2023 may bring. In Clatskanie and Rainier, the year has been challenging but also very productive. To better understand how this year went, Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen and Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman offered insight into the successes and setbacks of 2022. For the city of Rainier, Jorgensen
described 2022 as a “productive year.” Among some of their accomplishments, they implemented a better system for code enforcement, passed an ordinance to address “derelict RVs,” and expanded their numbers of boards and commissions. One of their most significant accomplishments was completing the Riverfront Trail Project. “One of our biggest accomplishments this year was the completion of the long-awaited Riverfront Trail Project,” Jorgensen said. “That’s something that I will always feel good about. It’s widely used by the
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
Clatskanie is working to replace the aging city sewer plant at 100 NW 4th Street.
citizens here in town, and some people even come from out of town to do that.” Jorgensen also noted that Rainier will be adding a new member to the police force and that the city is working with the Department of Environmental Equality to get in compliance with issues regarding stormwater and sewer systems. In Clatskanie, they have addressed a variety of issues. Like Rainier, Clatskanie passed an RV ordinance to limit the amount of time an RV can spend in one place. They also have made significant strides towards
breaking ground on the new sewer plant, for which the state legislature allotted $10 million to build. Currently, the Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing the plans. While the city’s progress on the sewer plant is a significant accomplishment, Hinkelman also said it is one of the city’s most substantial challenges. “There are two things. One: inflation has really put a big pressure on the cost of the plant. And the other thing that’s happening is when we did the geotechnical stuff, we found out the soils where we want to build the
plant are what they call ‘liquefiable,’” Hinkelman said. “We have to do some shoring up of that soil, so that’s going to cost several million dollars that we didn’t budget for. So my big challenge in 2023 is I have to go back to the legislature. And I’ve already let our legislative partners know, our representative and our state senator, that we need more money in order for this to happen. And I’m going to be a real pest about that.”
See 2023 Page A6
Highway 30 landslide site still under repair JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
Traffic is limited through the Highway 30 landslide site until a more permanent prevention is in place.
Courtesy photo from ODOT
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues to develop a permanent solution to stabilize the hillside along Highway 30 north of Clatskanie, the site of a massive landslide that occurred Nov. 29. In late December, another landslide occurred along Highway 18 at Otis, blocking much of the busy route to the central Oregon Coast for a time. The Highway 18 slide has been cleared and the hillside stabilized. Both slides illustrate the continuing landslide danger along the two highways. ODOT’s David House said for now, travel is limited at the scene of the Highway 30 landside. In the following conversation, House describes the process following the slide and what is being done to prevent further slides. The Chief: What specifically was done to help prevent another slide at the Highway 30 site?
This photo shows the Highway 18 landslide at Otis that has since been cleared.
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Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
Courtesy photo from ODOT
David House: We have a scaling contractor removing loose debris. We are closing one travel lane permanently to create catchment for falling debris. We may never be able to prevent another slide in
the same area. We are planning a project to remove additional debris from the hill and create more room for debris to be caught at the base, off of the road. That has not been scheduled yet.
The Chief: How much debris was taken away during the cleanup at the site and where was that debris deposited? House: About 2,000 cubic yards and counting. The contractor disposed of the debris. The Chief: What specifically was done at the Highway 18 slide site (Otis) to help prevent another incident? House: Scaling was completed to remove the remained loose material from the slope to prevent additional debris falling onto the roadway. The Chief: How much debris was taken away during the Highway 18 slide cleanup and where was the debris deposited? House: We removed about 800 cubic yards. Any rocks larger than 2 feet were hauled to an ODOT stockpile for future use. The remainder
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Elected county officials take Oath of Office STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
The four Columbia County officials who were elected in the November General Election are now officially in office. Columbia County Judge Michael Clarke swore in the four officials Tuesday, Jan. 3 during a ceremony in St. Helens. Columbia County Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith was elected for her first term to Position 1. A third generation resident of Columbia County, she has more than a decade of public service experience. Smith is a business owner, school board member, and a previous reserve deputy sheriff. Smith said as a county commissioner, her focus will be connecting communities, economic growth, public safety, creating opportunities for youth, and protecting civil rights
Courtesy photo
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Pictured left to right, Columbia County Judge Michael Clarke, Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith, County Clerk Debbie Klug, Sheriff Brian Pixley, and County Assessor Andrea Jurkiewicz.