IT’S COMMUNITY DAYS!
Goldendale, Washington
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022
Vol. 143 No. 27
$1.00
Pumped Storage project gets strong support RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL The Goldendale Pumped Storage Project received massive support at a June 28 Department of Ecology (DOE) public hearing at the Goldendale Grange. Some 50 people attended the hearing on the department’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. DOE representatives opened the meeting with a 20-minute summary of the 294-page draft document. The EIS examined 14 different areas: • Soils and geology • Water resources • Air quality and greenhouse
RODGER NICHOLS
PUBLIC COMMENT: Dana Winter, an electrical union worker, drove from Longview to testify on behalf of the project as she spoke to the Department of Ecology officials at the Goldendale Grange. gases • Energy resources • Public services and utilities • Aquatic species and habitats • Terrestial species and habitats • Aesthetic/visual quality • Environmental health • Land use • Recreation • Transportation • Environmental justice • Cultural and tribal resources For the first 13 areas, the EIS concluded there would be “no
significant adverse impacts.” However, for the last item, the DOE found there would be “significant and unavoidable adverse impacts.” The latter conclusion is in response to tribal testimony that the project would, among other things, lead to, “Restrictions to access and removal of areas used for cultural practices that indirectly affect entire Tribal communities.”
See Project page A8
TOP: GOLDENDALE SESQUICENTENNIAL LOGO. ABOVE: CONTRIBUTED.
LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN: Goldendale’s 2022 Community Days begins this Friday. Performing in the evening Saturday will be The Goldendale Age of Country Music Show & Dance Band (above).
Community Days starts Friday Community Days kicks off Friday with a unique and informative Native American Exhibit and program, part of the Sesquicentennial program, and which will continue through Saturday on the Courthouse lawn: • Teepee setup regalia and artifacts- Elsie David and family • Song and ceremonial danceElsie David and family • First Food Booth for community education- Elaine Harvey and family • Yakama Nation Fisheries information booth - Yakama Nation Fisheries • Arts and crafts vendors- Lorna Jim and family • Arts and crafts vendors- Mon-
ica George and Floyd Meslpie and family • Arts and crafts vendor- Kathy Schwartz and Laura Partlow and family • Food vendor- Justine Begay Saturday, July 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Show ’N’ Shine Car Show – Main Street Vendors and informational booths, fabulous food - Main Street Live music with The Goldendale Age of Country Music Show & Dance Band - East Main Street. Children’s activities: bouncy house, climbing wall, and more on the courthouse lawn.
LOU MARZELES
GOATS, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT ENDING: The inaugural production of the Goldendale Community Theater kicked up this past weekend, entertaining appreciative audiences at Community Grace Brethren Church.
Cooling shelters in place in anticipation of summer heat TAMARA KAUFMAN FOR THE SENTINEL
NOT WINNIE, NOT SMOKEY, NOT YOGI: This young bear almost looks like it wants to get on the swings. It was spotted Thursday in Goldendale and gently escorted out of town, with no kerfuffle and in complete safety for people and critter. Some of the curious did come out and try to get pictures, though police advise that’s not the best thing to do around wild animals. See story on page A2.
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is partnering with Mid Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) and other agencies and nonprofits to provide Emergency Cooling Shelters and relief from unhealthy air quality events for vulnerable populations during this summer’s expected extreme conditions. Coordinators are particularly concerned for the houseless community, the elderly, and those vulnerable to exposure due to a lack of access to air conditioning or airtight buildings. They want to offer shelter when extreme heat events and wildfire smoke hit the Columbia River Gorge and Mid-Columbia regions. “When people don’t have ways to escape extreme heat and smoke, life-threatening situations arise,” said Curt Gray, Skamania County Housing Department Director for WAGAP. “Everyone should take general precautions to drink wa-
ter, get out of the sun, and cool down when temperatures rise. But houseless and vulnerable community members need extra assistance, and that’s what our shelter is for,” he added. Gray shared that many factors come into play when the partners decide to open the Emergency Cooling Shelters. “Generally,” Gray explained, “we’ll be looking for the National Weather Service to issue an Excessive Heat Warning or unhealthy air quality advisory. But other regional factors will also be considered, such as the length of the event and whether or not temperatures cool off overnight.” Beginning July 1, 2022, Gorge and Mid-Columbia residents will have access to various resources. Washington: • In Klickitat County, partners include the City of White Salmon, which will provide an Emergency Cooling Shelter at the Fire Hall, and Father’s House Fellowship in Goldendale. • In Skamania County,
WAGAP’s Emergency Cooling Shelter is located next to the Hegewald Center in Stevenson. Oregon: • In Hood River County, MCCAC will be operating from the Hood River Alliance Church as a primary location, with the Hood River Fire Department acting as a backup when the church is unavailable. • In Wasco County, MCCAC will be operating from the St. Vincent DePaul Center. • In Sherman County, call the Office of Emergency Management at 541-565-3100 to arrange assistance. “It’s very tricky coordinating our bi-state region,” said Kelli Horvath, the Housing Stabilization Manager at MCCAC. “Our agency’s coverage area alone spans Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon, with a wide range of weather patterns.” “Temperature and humidity swings can range widely from
See Shelters page A8