Human Services Advisory Council Vacancy (Photo) - 02/18/26

ASTORIA, OR — Clatsop County is welcoming applications for an open seat on the Human Services Advisory Council with a term ending February 28, 2029. 

The Human Services Advisory Council advises the Board of County Commissioners on developmental disabilities, mental health and alcohol and drug abuse services.  

The council meets the first Thursday of each month to identify needs, establish priorities for publicly funded services and assist in selection of service providers, evaluate services and provide a link to the public through advocacy and education.  

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Application forms are available online at ClatsopCounty.gov or at the County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria.  

All applications will be reviewed by the Human Services Advisory Council and then brought to the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners for appointment. 

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Clatsop County Adopts Comprehensive Plan Updates For Statewide Planning Goals 16 And 17 - 02/06/26

ASTORIA, OR — The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners voted last month to adopt updates to the County’s Comprehensive Plan for Planning Goal 16 (Estuarine Resources) and Planning Goal 17 (Coastal Shorelands).

These updates help guide future land use and development decisions in Clatsop County’s coastal and estuarine areas while supporting protection of natural resources that are essential to the County’s environment, economy, and quality of life.

What Goals 16 and 17 cover

Oregon’s statewide planning goals provide the framework for land use planning across the state. In Clatsop County:

• Goal 16 (Estuarine Resources) guides planning and decision-making related to estuaries and estuarine shorelands, including protection of natural functions and appropriate uses.
• Goal 17 (Coastal Shorelands) addresses development and land use within coastal shoreland areas to ensure those uses are compatible with coastal resources and local needs.

Together, these goals shape how Clatsop County approaches land use planning in areas influenced by shoreline, habitat, working waterfront uses, recreation, and coastal hazards.

Adoption of these goals is an important milestone and part of the County’s ongoing responsibility to regularly evaluate and improve its Comprehensive Plan over time. The updates reflect a public process that included community open houses, public notices, and public hearing opportunities throughout the planning effort.

“This adoption reflects a very engaged public and years of dedicated staff work,” said Board Chair Mark Kujala. “I want to thank Community Development Director Gail Henrikson, Planning Manager David Cook, and the entire Community Development and Planning Department staff - past and present – for the commitment and time that made this Comprehensive Plan update possible."

With the adoption of these updates, the County concludes project Clatsop 2040 which began in 2019. Clatsop 2040 was an effort to update all the County’s 18 Comprehensive Plan goals, documents that shape the way land use and environmental protection occur within the unincorporated County.

To learn more, visit the Comprehensive Plan update page at ClatsopCounty.gov.

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Clatsop County Secures $1.03 Million In Federal Funding With Support From Oregon’s Congressional Delegation (Photo) - 01/28/26

ASTORIA, OR — Clatsop County will receive $1,031,000 in federal funding following passage of a federal spending bill that cleared the U.S. Senate last week. The funding was secured with the support of Oregon’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden.

The funding is part of the federal Community Project Funding process and will be used to replace and upgrade an outdated public safety communications system. This will allow Clatsop County first responders to better communicate with each other and the public in the event of an emergency.

Representative Bonamici championed the request in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the project was included in the bill’s initial draft before it ultimately advanced to the Senate.

“This funding reflects the strong partnership between Clatsop County and our federal delegation,” said Clatsop County Board Chair Mark Kujala. “We appreciate Representative Bonamici’s leadership in moving this request forward, as well as the continued support from Senators Merkley and Wyden in delivering resources that directly benefit our community.”

Clatsop County is prepared to implement the project consistent with federal requirements.

More information about the Community Project Funding process is available through the offices of Oregon’s congressional delegation.