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
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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