The Port of Hood River is governed by a five-member elected Board of Commissioners. On May 18th, 2021 Hood River County will hold a Special District Election and there will be three positions on the Port of Hood River Board of Commissioners on the ballot. The positions are for a four-year term of service.
To learn more about how to file to run for one of the open positions, click here to download the information sheet provided by Hood River County Department of Records & Assessment.
Read MoreThe Hook Road,
Spit Access Road, and Marina Park to close temporarily
HOOD RIVER, OR – The Port of Hood River facilities crews will be working to regrade gravel roads at three locations on the waterfront this month, prompting closures to all vehicles while the work is being performed.
The Hook Road closed to all access January 5-6The Spit Access Road closed to all access January 6-7Marina Park closed to all access January 8 and January 11
For more information, contact the Port via email to porthr@gorge.net.
Read MoreThe Port of Hood River offers these sites for evacuees affected by the Clackamas County and other regional wildfires September 2020.
LOT 1 – Large vehicles and RVs ok.
Event Site – Smaller vehicles and small trailers ok.
Marina Boat Launch Parking Lot – Large vehicles and RVs ok, smaller vehicles please use smaller spots.
DMV Gravel Parking Lot – Best for small/mid size vehicles and trailers.
Overnight parking is allowed until further notice for evacuees only. There is no charge for parking.
Garbage, water, and restroom services may be limited.
Pets are ok, but dogs must be on leash at all times. Livestock should be taken to other sites.
Please visit this page for capacity updates, changes, and other announcements.
Read MoreA look back at the Port of Hood River’s 2019.
Read MoreBridge users “Breezing” By more than ever
When the toll for the Hood River – White Salmon Interstate Bridge increased on February 1, BreezeBy account holder benefits increased dramatically. Prepaying tolls electronically previously saved 20% for two-axle vehicles (80¢ toll instead of $1). When the February 1 tolling structure raised that toll to $2 cash, and $1 for BreezeBy, electronic toll customers began receiving 50% discounts on tolls.
The Port of Hood River promoted BreezeBy benefits via an extensive public information campaign early this year, and results have been significant. Since January 1, a total of 5,427 new BreezeBy accounts have been created, bringing the total of active BreezeBy accounts to 14,152. Through October 2018, there have been nearly 2.6 million bridge toll transactions made with BreezeBy.
In early 2019, the Port of Cascade Locks plans to adopt the BreezeBy system for its Bridge of the Gods tolling, meaning Columbia Gorge residents will be able to manage and use online accounts to pay tolls at both bridge structures.
BreezeBy customers that have set up online access for their accounts can now use the mobile app, available for free download at the app stores for iPhones and Android devices, to manage their accounts on the go. Just search for “BreezeBy.”
Daryl Stafford joins Port
Daryl became Waterfront & Marina Manager last spring, and there was no shortage of activities and events to keep her busy throughout the summer. Daryl is a longtime Gorge sailing and watersport enthusiast, entrepreneur, and administrative professional. She worked nearly 18 years at local watersports shop, Big Winds, and more recently ran JS Boat with her husband, manufacturing inflatable rafts that house scuba tanks.
Stafford is responsible for daily operations of Port-owned waterfront properties and the Hood River Marina, as well as ongoing and long-term planning for facilities and amenities improvements, policy, and budget planning. Stafford will be the point of contact for waterfront concessions, schools, event producers, tenants, and guests. She is available by phone at (541) 386-0972 or by email at waterfront@portofhoodriver.com.
Airport Improvements
The Ken Jernstedt Airfields’s “Fly Friendly” program has been helpful in reducing noise in the residential areas surrounding the airfield, as indicated by a significant reduction in noise complaints. The program is in response to an increase in noise complaints from airport neighbors over the past few years as pilot training, residential and visitor airplane traffic had a sharp increase.
Mann presents at international symposium
John Mann, Port facilities manager, joined Paul Bandlow of Stafford Bandlow Engineering to present at the Biennial Symposium for Heavy Movable Structures on October 22 in Orlando, FL. The title of the report was “Unique Solutions to Interesting Problems,” covering issues and solutions to the Hood River – White Salmon Bridge’s lift span control system operations.
Port interns assist on varied projects
Activity at the Port office continues to build, and the Port of Hood River has created opportunities to engage youth as paid interns to learn and assist with Port projects. This year, the agency engaged three summer interns and a school-year intern. Here’s a little about each.
Aidan Liddiard served as Land Development Intern, assisting Anne Medenbach, Development and Property Manager, in evaluating the feasibility of a wetland bank in Hood River County and other wetland mitigation measures. Liddiard is a junior at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
Melissa Manzo Andres serves as an Administration Intern. She recently graduated from Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) and is now attending Columbia Gorge Community College. Melissa works to provide administrative support throughout the office.
Connor Truax interned at the Port as Video Production Intern, creating public information videos under the guidance of Communications & Special Projects Manager Genevieve Scholl. Connor now attends film school at Whittier College in California.
Jose Santillan, a student at HRVHS, is focusing his efforts on research and concept planning for a solar array on the Port’s shop facility building, plus a solar charging station at the Port office building parking lot.
