Cheers: To accessible parks. The U.S. Department of the Interior has backed away from plans for a sharp increase to entrance fees at national parks, including Mount Rainier and Olympic. More than 100,000 people contacted the federal government about the proposal, with a vast majority in opposition, and officials were wise to listen. Increasing fees from $25 per car to $70 would have priced many people out of the parks — parks that are owned by the public.
The latest move, however, does not mitigate the need for improved funding for national parks. The maintenance backlog throughout the system is estimated at $11 billion, and it continues to increase. One bill in Congress would dedicate a portion of federal mineral proceeds to national parks and eventually generate $500 million a year; it deserves consideration. So does a small entrance fee increase at the parks. The goal must be to leave the “public” in our public national parks.
Jeers: To sea lions. Nothing against sea lions acting like sea lions, but the huge mammals continue to devour the region’s salmon population at alarming rates. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that 45 percent of the spring salmon run is lost between the mouth of the Columbia and Bonneville Dam, mostly to hungry sea lions.
Officials have tried hazing the animals and, in some cases, shooting them to protect the salmon run on the Columbia River, but the sea lions have maintained the upper hand. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, has co-sponsored a bill that would clear barriers to killing predatory sea lions, but the process is laborious. We hope Congress can agree upon an effective process for protecting salmon in the near future.
Cheers: To fighting zombies. Actually, this is about “zombie” properties — homes that are unattended and often inhabited by squatters. A law passed in the final week of the 2018 legislative session gives cities new tools for combating problematic properties.
Beginning in June, cities may notify lenders about nuisance properties. If the mortgage holder does not tend to overgrown grass or clean up trash or remove illegal occupants, the city can contract the work out and bill the lender. The biggest winners in this are neighbors who see the quality of their neighborhood and the value of their properties diminished by zombie houses.
Sad: To disappearing ice. Clark County’s only ice rink, Mountain View Ice Arena, will close this summer. Portland-based City Bible Church, which owns the rink, is planning to convert the space into an elementary school.
We can’t really direct jeers at City Bible Church; the organization has owned the rink since 2006 and may do with it as it likes. But there is a sense of sadness for those who enjoy a recreational skate or playing in recreational hockey leagues; rink manager Bob Knoerl said about 2,000 to 3,000 people use the rink on a weekly basis. We hope that another ice rink will pop up in Clark County in the near future.
Cheers: To Ilani Casino Resort. The casino, built and operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe near La Center, has opened a new 30,000-square-foot event center that can be used for banquets, trade shows, concerts and other events.
While The Columbian long opposed construction of the casino, which opened a year ago, now that it is here we hope that it is successful. If it continues to grow into a popular destination that draws people from throughout the Northwest, the casino can be a boon to the economy throughout Clark County. The event center will enhance entertainment and business opportunities that can benefit all local residents.
