By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
January 25, 2008

Farmers in the Hood River Valley are facing a federal mandate in March that could economically hurt small tree fruit operations.

Pine Grove orchardist Gary Willis briefed the Hood River County Board of Commissioners about the situation on Monday. He said some growers will soon have to spend thousands of dollars to comply with new regulations for seasonal dwellings.

“We’re trying to anticipate a worst-case scenario instead of reacting to whatever comes down the line,” said Willis.

After listening to his comments, the county board unanimously decided to “fast track” the processing of labor housing applications. The elected body agreed that assistance should be given to the industry that feeds $70-80 million per year back into the local economy.

“These applications are going to the front of the line because this is a potential emergency situation and we need to keep the agriculture industry healthy and vibrant,” said Dave Meriwether, county administrator.

Officials from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, which performs housing inspections, will be at the Rockford Grange Tuesday to take public testimony and provide information (see box).

Following are some of the housing standards that could be imposed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration this spring:

n One hundred square feet per person must be provided where workers sleep, cook and live. Previously, any shelter built before 1975 could allot 60 square feet of space for each individual.

n Windows must equal 10 percent of required floor square footage and open at least halfway. State guidelines now require a window of undetermined size in each room and an escapable window only in a sleeping room built on or after Dec. 15, 1989.

n Laundry and clothes drying facilities — now required only if housing is than five miles from a laundromat — must be set up on the premises. This standard can be met by providing one washtub and a clothesline for every 30 persons.

n One shower head will be required for every 10 persons instead of every 15 individuals.

n Each shelter must be equipped with heaters to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees, formerly not required between June and September.

“I wonder how many hotels and motels that accommodate business travelers would comply with this new square footage requirement?” Willis asked.

Mike Benedict, planning director, said the priority status of land use applications involving labor housing will only extend to March 15.

He said other building/planning requests submitted by developers and residents could now be delayed in processing by up to two months. He said farmers should allow two to six weeks for their planning and permitting requests to make it through the system.

“We’re trying to help expedite this as much as we possibly can,” said Benedict.

His office is still dealing with the backlog of work created by past Measure 37 claims. He said if even half of the valley’s 350 farms need an upgrade in worker housing then his staffers face a daunting challenge to meet deadlines.

He said Cogan Owens Cogan LLC, a private planning firm, will help process some pending development applications, although no extra staffers will be hired to deal with the temporary situation.

Willis said farmers with older housing could be hit hard financially by the new regulations. He said if these growers can’t find the money to remodel, they face a labor shortage crisis. He said the heightened national focus on immigration reform has kept many pickers in Mexico. So, the workers who migrate with the crops are now choosing orchards with the best housing options.

Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, formerly known as the Hood River Grower-Shipper Association, joins Willis in concerns about the timeline of housing upgrades.

Jean Godfrey, CGFG executive director, said area farmers were only recently notified about the upcoming changes to state housing rules that were deemed too lax by the U.S. Department of Labor. She said more time is needed for implementation because plumbing upgrades, such as those for laundry and shower facilities, can be expensive.

CGFG plans to request an extension of time at the Jan. 29th meeting in Hood River with state officials who enact OSHA guidelines.

“In an ideal world it would be nice if they gave us a full year to respond to this and to bring housing up to the new standards,” said Godfrey.

Willis, who grows tree fruits on 300 acres, said his and many other large operations are already in compliance with federal rules. He buys bunkhouse models of manufactured homes that can easily accommodate a stacked washer/dryer set.

He dealt with the square footage issue by removing a bed and now has 12 pickers in the shelter instead of 16. Willis said temporary workers do not pay rent or utility and garbage disposal fees during the six to eight weeks of harvest.

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Editor’s note: On Wednesday, the Hood River News will explore another federal mandate to curb illegal immigration that could drastically reduce the valley’s workforce. In addition, we will address the innovative steps being taken by Willis and other growers to deal with the potential crisis.