Wallowa County Commissioner Susan Roberts presents a Pendleton wool blanket to ourgoing commission Chairman Todd Nash on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at the courthouse in Enterprise. The meeting was Nash's last as a commissioner. In November, he was elected to the state Senate and will take that post in January.

ENTERPRISE — A fond farewell was given to Wallowa County Commissioner Todd Nash at the board’s meeting Wednesday, Dec. 18, his last before going to Salem in January as a new state senator.

Farewell to Nash

“Your voice is vital to identifying the challenges (Wallowa County) faces,” Commissioner Susan Roberts said after presenting Nash with a Pendleton wool blanket as a farewell gift. “You understand the needs and values of our community.”

Nash served two four-year terms as commissioner. He was elected Nov. 5 to replace retiring District 29 Sen. Bill Hansell. He has been working closely with Hansell in recent weeks to learn the job and ensure a seamless transition.

“For the first time in a long time, we’re going to have someone representing this county and the other eastside counties to the best of his ability,” Roberts said. “And the best of his ability is with the support he gets from every individual from his district.”

Fellow Commissioner John Hillock agreed, saying he is looking forward to Nash speaking for rural Oregonians.

“It’s been awhile since we’ve had representation from our side of the mountains, and the west doesn’t often pay attention to what’s going on over here,” Hillock said.

“The board and the rest of Wallowa County want to thank Commissioner Nash for his service here and to the community and wish him well in representing us in Salem,” Roberts said.

To the public at large, she added, “I encourage each of you to support our newly elected state senator as he tries to meet these issues. … Let’s turn support into action and build a more vibrant Wallowa County for everyone. Thank you (to Nash) for your partnership and trust as we send Sen.-elect Todd Nash to Salem. But don’t tell him, ‘I want you to take care of X, Y and Z.’ Work with him, work with his staff; it’s very important.”

After thanking his fellow commissioners, he spoke about his replacement on the board. Lisa Collier, the outgoing mayor of Joseph, who was present at Wednesday’s meeting, said she had set up her office in the courthouse two weeks ago and is ready to hit the ground running in January.

“I know that Lisa is going to step in here and I think she’s going to do a great job,” he said, appearing to get a bit emotional.

“Don’t cry, now,” Roberts laughed.

“Thank you for putting up with me,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”

Invasive weeds

Also on Wednesday, the commissioners approved two letters pertaining to weed control and the fire-risk maps being worked on.

The first was to Brian Anderson, district ranger of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Joseph office, and to Shaun McKinney, forest supervisor at Baker, regarding the treatment of invasive weeds and annual grasses under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The letter emphasized the importance of the livestock industry and big game hunting in the county and the need for plenty of forage for both.

It stated that the county and numerous agencies had worked together to eradicate primarily medusahead, a thistle that is repellent both to livestock and game. A NEPA analysis promotes the use of the herbicide Rejuvra on private land in the county to fight the weed. The letter recommended that the Wallowa-Whitman switch to Rejuvra from Plateau, which it currently uses, saying Rejuvra is more effective, less expensive and less harmful to perennials in the county.

The letter also recommended aerial application of herbicides, which is currently not done.

Nash told the commissioners of a recent workshop he attended where he and others were shown advances in drone technology.

“Cropdusting is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world,” he said.

He saw how drones could be used in herbicide application, as well as other uses.

“It’s a really exciting time in technology,” he said. “It’s just incredible what they’re coming up with now.”

Wildfire maps

The other letter was to the general public on maps prepared under the Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer Advanced Report. The letter noted that the report stated it “will not replace local knowledge of communities you may consider high risk.”

It also states that the report would use information from local fire departments and the state Department of Forestry to generate maps designating the fire risk in certain areas.

However, the letter states, “We are concerned that the map presents information on a broad scale that is not conducive to a clear representation at a local scale.”

The commissioners don’t want the maps used for decision-making.

Changes made to particular tax lots on their fire risk by the hazard maps may prompt landowners to not do what they should to mitigate wildfire risk. The letter also addresses weather, flame length and other factors involving wildfires.

It concludes by saying, “To best represent wildfire risk … Wallowa County would like to see the report’s data updated to include recent fire mitigation and a more-detailed county-specific approach to mapping and using those maps for future legislation.”

Other business


In other business, the commissioners approved:

• A resolution to adopt the fee schedule changes by the Assessor’s Office that they discussed at the Dec. 4 meeting.

• A resolution to appoint incoming Commissioner Lisa Collier to the Wallowa County Fair Board. As Collier will replace Todd Nash as a commissioner, she will take his place on the fair board.

• An order to adopt $117,143 in unanticipated revenue for the county fair.

• A personal services agreement with the Partners Group as the county’s agent of record.

• Initiating the application of a grant of $118,678 from the Oregon Department of Transportation to fund the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund.

• A lease agreement with Larry Bacon for the use of the Pit Run rock pile for use on Lost Prairie Road.

• Scheduled the next board meeting for Thursday, Jan. 2, as Jan. 1 is a holiday. Collier will be sworn into office and Hillock will take his turn as board chairman.