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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2018)
T he C olumbia P ress October 5, 2018 Razor clam season delayed due to shrimpy stock Razor clams are a little shrimpy this year, causing state officials to postpone the season opener along Clatsop County beaches. Most clams are too small for commercial harvesters and undesirable for recreational clammers. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife pushed back the traditional opening from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, and perhaps even later. The closure, which applies only to Clatsop County beach- es, will allow the agency time to collect public feedback on management options. “Razor clams are moderately abundant on Clatsop beaches Courtesy ODFW Most razor clams do not meet size criteria this fall. this fall, but the population is currently dominated by small clams with shell lengths be- tween 2 and 3 inches,” shellfish biologist Matt Hunter said. “Recreational clammers typ- ically try to avoid these small clams, and they are smaller than the 3 ¾-inch minimum size allowed for commercial harvest.” Domination of the razor clam population by small clams isn’t abnormal, he said. “In 2004, we also saw large numbers of small razor clams along Clatsop beaches, but they were more variable in size with a few medium and large clams. Right now, it is difficult to find any razor clams larger than 4 inches.” Washington state also de- layed the start of razor clam digs on the Long Beach Penin- sula until late December due to similar concerns. In Ore- gon, the population includes even fewer medium and large razor clams. 3 Firewood permits available Permits to cut firewood in the Clatsop State Forest are now available. Permits are $20 and al- low the purchaser to cut up to two cords. Each house- hold can purchase up to five permits per calendar year. Permits are valid for three weeks after purchase or un- til two cords are cut. Permits are available at the Oregon Department of PAID POLITICAL AD Warrenton Candidate for Mayor JOHN WASHINGTON invites you to a Meet & Greet Get-Together Those on SNAP could receive small increases Those who receive public assistance for food and utili- ties will find an increase this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutri- tion Service has approved an adjustment to the cost of liv- ing allowance and the stan- dard utility allowance in the Supplemental Nutrition As- sistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps. The adjustment sets income guidelines and benefit allot- ment amounts, and the stan- dard utility allowance deter- mines the amount of heating and cooling costs an eligible person may claim. The ad- justments went into effect Oct. 1. Oregon SNAP participants do not need to take any ac- tion. The state will automat- ically recalculate cases and adjust when required. Families may experience no changes, a $9 increase or a $4 decrease. Changes are based on a family’s individu- al case and will be reflected in the October disbursement. Just under one in seven Or- egonians – or 626,038 – re- ceive food benefits through SNAP. The amount of bene- fits received is based on many factors, including income and deductions for necessi- ties like shelter and utilities. The change in the 2018 standards won’t increase the number of people receiving SNAP, and it does not change program eligibility require- ments. To be eligible, most families must have income less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level and meet other eligibility factors. A family of four would be allowed a max- imum income of $3,870 per month or less. Some individuals or fami- lies, which include a disabled person or a person at least 60 years of age, can be eligible for SNAP benefits with high- er incomes. Forestry’s Astoria Office, 92219 Highway 202, week- days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Firewood permits are sold by management basin, and purchasers can cut any- where not shown as a re- stricted area. A map can be found by visiting oregon.gov/ODF/ Working/Pages/Firewood. aspx. Saturday, October 6th 2:00 to 5:00pm at the Warrenton Masonic VFW Lodge 66 SW 4th St., Warrenton (Between S. Main Ave., & SW Alder Ave.) Paid for by John Washington for Mayor PRESENTING SPONSOR Great Columbia Crossing 10k run/walk Sunday, October 14 $40 per person Sign up online! the Columbia Astoria-Megler Bridge CLOSED to vehicles 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. GreatColumbiaCrossing.com
