East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–The Garfield County board of commissioners (BOCC) signed a letter of support to the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project at their meeting on November 15. The Lower Snake project is currently accepting application for new green energy projects, as they are required to do by Washington State. The letter encourages them to keep their projects in the Lower Snake Basin, rather than outsourcing their labor to out-of-county or out-of-state entities.

The Board also authorized a $3,000 payment to the City of Pomeroy for the Low to Moderate Income Index Survey that has been recently taken. Jack Peasley of the South East Washington Economic Development Association was very involved in the survey.

-File photo

Adam Hodges, the county's main point of contact with the Washington Rural Counties Insurance Program, discussed the coverage of the county vehicles. When the insurance was transferred over from Washington Counties Risk Pool earlier in the year, the vehicles did not receive comprehensive and collision coverage. The BOCC decided to get vehicles with $15,000 or high value covered, with the exception of law enforcement vehicles. The insurance cost will rise by $4,460.99.

Brad Johnson, who works for the voluntary stewardship program in both Garfield and Columbia Counties, gave a report to the commissioners. The Garfield County five year report received the highest marks in the state for the protection and enhancement of critical areas. The majority of the projects have been noxious weed control on rangeland, as well as water habitat development on Alpowa and Pataha Creeks and the Deadman. "These area controversial projects," Johnson said, "and you've got to listen to the landowner."