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Hot Weather Raises Fire Danger to High

Oregon fire managers increased the fire danger level to High (yellow) for forest areas of Clatsop County. This is due to increases in warmer weather temperatures in the northwest corner of Oregon.

• Burn barrels and residential campfires are not allowed under High (yellow).  

• Fireworks, exploding targets/tracer ammunition, sky lanterns are prohibited at all levels during fire season.  

For up-to-date recorded information about fire season requirements, call 503-325-7215 or visit the Oregon Department of Forestry.  

For more information, call 503-325-5451 during business hours. 

Joint Release from Clatsop County Public Health, Columbia Memorial Hospital and Providence Seaside Hospital

The federal government and World Health Organization have both declared hMPXV to be a public health emergency. The current hMPXV situation requires a coordinated, robust response.

Calling it an “emergency” is not intended to provoke panic, but will help marshal resources to respond to the outbreak. It will strengthen our ability to respond through case investigation, contact tracing, vaccination of those who need it, providing care for those who are ill, and other needs.

As of August 10, about 32,000 confirmed cases were reported worldwide, and more than 9,500 in the United States. In Oregon, a total of 95 confirmed and presumed cases have been recorded in seven counties. According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA), about 90% infected are male (about 70% of them are men-who-have-sex-with-men), and about 30% are Latinx. No cases have been reported in Clatsop County.

Clatsop County Department of Public Health, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Providence Seaside Hospital, and local healthcare providers are ready to work together on the county’s response to this outbreak.

Read more.

Hazardous Waste Day is This Saturday

Our next Hazardous Waste Disposal day is 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. this Saturday, August 20, 2022.

The Clatsop County Household Hazardous Waste Program offers free disposal of toxic, flammable and corrosive materials at its new Hazardous Household Waste collection facility in Astoria.

The facility is located at 1780 Williamsport Road, next to the Recology of Western Oregon solid waste transfer station.

For more information email Clatsop County Environmental Health or call 503-325-9302.

Clatsop County Refers Two-Year Psilocybin

Implementation to Voters

In November 2020, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 109, known as the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act. It allows for the manufacture and administration of psilocybin at licensed facilities.

Oregon Health Authority plans on accepting applications for psilocybin-related licenses in January 2023. Since OHA has not completed the rulemaking process, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is asking voters if they want to temporarily delay state-licensed psilocybin product manufacturers and psilocybin service centers within unincorporated Clatsop County.

This proposed two-year delay will give Clatsop County time to adopt regulations on the operation of psilocybin facilities which are in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of Clatsop County residents.

Read more.

Clatsop County Update on $6.2 Million Grant

Measure 110 was approved by Oregon voters in 2020 with the result being $6.2 million being allocated for services in Clatsop County through a Behavioral Health Resource Network partnership (BHRN).

Seven agencies are receiving funding for county-wide services through the BHRN partnership. While some projects may be located in certain areas, various services are being provided for all county residents. 

This week’s Bulletin will highlight three agency programs. Next week, we will highlight the remaining four other agencies participating in the BHRN partnership.

• Clatsop Behavioral Health has a team of six Recovery Mentors who actively engage in outreach services and support to prospective and established clients. Lived experience Recovery Mentors provide case management, recovery services and peer-delivered outreach supportive services to anyone seeking assistance to address their substance use.  

• Morrison Child and Family Services peer specialists will engage children and families who are referred to the BHRN for SUDs services.

• Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation provides peer-delivered outreach, support, mentoring, and recovery services through our Better Outcomes thru Bridges (BOB) program. BOB Outreach and Peer Support Specialists deliver peer and community outreach services and supports to people within the Clatsop County communities.



Meet Clatsop County’s New Emergency Dept. Director 

Clatsop County welcomes Justin Gibbs as its Emergency Management Director.

Gibbs brings more than 14 years in emergency management and public administration to the position.

A native of North Carolina, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with aMaster’s Level Certificate in Community Preparedness and Disaster Management.

“Having been born and raised on the coast of North Carolina, I very much feel at home,” Gibbs said. “I look forward to learning, growing and becoming a member of the community and serving its members with integrity.”

Gibbs’ background includes more than 13 years with Hyde County, North Carolina, where he served as 9-1-1 database administrator before being selected as emergency services director.

His tenure included response to multiple hurricanes, storms and wildfires, as well as an assignment to Puerto Rico as a planning section chief for the Hurricane Maria response in 2017.

Read More.

We Want to Hear From You... About Geologic Hazards Regulations

The North Coast is a region of natural beauty – and natural hazards.

Clatsop County regulates development in those areas of identified geologic hazards to reduce threats to life and property from landslides, flooding, erosion and other potential threats.

As part of its update project, we’re seeking input from the public to better understand the concerns of residents and property owners. 

Our online survey asks what you know about local geologic hazards and existing development regulations and requirements, and if you support proposed new tools including Certificates of Compliance and Hazard Disclosure Statements.

The survey closes Monday, September 5. Paper copies are available at the Community Development office at 800 E. Exchange. Contact Ian Sisson for more information at 503-325-8611.

Read more.

Changes Proposed to Geologic Hazard Areas Standards

Land Use Planning staff have begun the process of updating the standards for developing in a geologic hazard overlay.

These standards have not been updated since the early 1980s and the standards are based on Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries DOGAMI data from the 1970s.

A draft of the proposed changes will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 13. The first draft of the proposed changes will be posted on the County’s website at least one week prior to the meeting. 

For more information, contact Ian Sisson, Senior Planner at 503-325-8611.

Time to Travel? Got Your Passport?

Clatsop County Clerk & Elections is where you can go to get a passport or update your expired one. You must make an appointment before coming in for passport processing. 

On average it can take 8-11 weeks to get a new passport. When you expedite it, the wait time is 4-6 weeks. Our Passport webpage has a list of post offices that process passports.

Please go to our webpage and schedule an appointment for passports, park passes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recordings with us. If you do not have an appointment, you may be asked to wait if we are with someone that has scheduled an appointment.

No Waiting When You Make an Appointment

Make an appointment for passports, park passes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recordings at the Clatsop County Clerk webpage.

Can’t Find Your Vaccine Card?

When you sign up for the free electronic vaccine card, you will get an electronic copy of the COVID vaccines/boosters you've received in Oregon. It is the same information that is on your paper vaccine card.

Contact Public Health if you would like a replacement paper vaccine card or if you've received any of your vaccinations out of state and want your electronic information updated.

Questions? Call 503-325-8500.

Youngs River Road is closed to all traffic at the Klaskanine River Bridge (milepost 10.55) for a bridge replacement project. Please use Highway 202 and Olney Cut Off Lane as an alternate route. The bridge replacement project is ongoing and should be completed in early 2023. 

 Crews will:

• Fog-seal our recently chip-sealed roads county wide.
• Perform pavement preservation in the Knappa area.

Road Striping

County-wide road striping will begin over the next month. Expect up to 20-minute delays OR until the painting crew can safely pull over to allow through traffic. 

• Signage and cones stating wet paint will be in place, as well as flaggers to direct traffic around the wet paint. 
• Do not drive through wet paint. If you decide to drive through wet paint where signage, cones and flaggers are visible, Clatsop County will not be responsible for the cost of cleaning paint off your vehicle. 
• We use a water-based paint for striping needs. If you get any of this paint on your vehicle, please wash it off immediately with water.

Clatsop County is a great place to work. Find out about current Clatsop County career opportunities where you can make a difference every day.

Position Opening Spotlight: 

Animal Control Supervisor

Tired of worrying if you remembered that lint roller in your car to make sure you don’t walk into work covered with reminders of how much you love your furry friend (and how much they love your black pants)?  

Are you looking for an opportunity to reunite people with their beloved furry family members? Does ensuring the health, welfare and safety of both our humans, as well as our furry, hairy, scaly, and feathered residents sound like a dream job?  

Look no further because we’re accepting applications for our Animal Control Supervisor position! Details on this rewarding position and how to apply are at our website!



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Clatsop County

800 Exchange St. Suite 410

Astoria, OR 97103

503-325-1000