Columbia Gorge Press Release

Kitesail · Since 23 Jun 2006 108 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Latest Gorge development.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Press Release

Gorge Commission Approves Controversial Amendment for
Private Destination Resort in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area
245 condos and townhouses allowed under the amendment

For Immediate Release, April 8, 2008
Contact: Michael Lang, (503) 241-3762, Ext. 105
(503) 490-3979

Today the Columbia River Gorge Commission voted 10-2 to amend the gorge-wide management plan to allow an urban scale destination resort in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The amendment would allow a 245-unit private housing development on the banks of the Columbia River, adjacent to a state park and outside of designated urban areas. This paves the way for the largest development ever allowed in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

"By its action today, the Gorge Commission has abandoned its duty to protect the Columbia Gorge," said Michael Lang, Conservation Director for Friends of the Columbia Gorge. "The Commission has weakened the rules for one developer to allow urban scale development on scenic area lands, contrary to the purposes of the National Scenic Area Act."

The amendment removes any requirement that the development be available for public use and fails to include any language requiring the prompt cleanup of hazardous materials that are suspected at the mill site.

The plan amendment applies to a former mill site owned by Broughton Lumber Company, just west of White Salmon, Washington and adjacent to an internationally renowned windsurfing site and a State Park. Under current allowable uses in the management plan, the former mill can be redeveloped as a rustic resort with 35 cabins and up to 175 camping sites. The rule change will allow Broughton Lumber Company or a future landowner to develop vacation homes, restaurants, retail businesses and a conference center on lands within the National Scenic Area, outside the boundaries of existing urban areas.

"Never in the history of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has a development of this magnitude and intensity been allowed outside of a designated urban area," said Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, "The amendment passed today sets a precedent that will impact future generations who are depending on us to protect the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area."

The Commission vote followed hours of public testimony that extended from an overcrowded public hearing in February. Groups who have testified as opposed to the development include The Sierra Club of Washington and Oregon, 1,000 Friends of Oregon, Columbia Riverkeeper, the Washington Environmental Council, and Friends of Mt. Hood.

"We are very disappointed in the Gorge Commission," said Michael Lang, Conservation Director for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, "Not only does the vote weaken rules that protect the Columbia Gorge, it flies in the face of thousands of public comments sent to the Gorge Commission that oppose this plan amendment. Today we saw the Commission side-step their public responsibility to protect the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and instead give a special favor to the Broughton Lumber Company."

The resort plan amendment will now go to the Secretary of Agriculture for concurrence and then to Skamania County for inclusion in the County's Scenic Area Ordinance. The amendment is likely to be challenged in state court