Recreation Resorts Information

The Columbia River Gorge Commission approved amendment PA-06-01 with minor modifications at their April 8, 2008 meeting in Stevenson, Washington.  The approved amendment creates new policies and guidelines to allow conversion of an existing industrial complex to a recreation resort as a new review use in the Commercial Recreation land use designation.

On July 7, 2008 the Chair of the Commission signed the Final Order adopting PA-06-01.

  Final Order

Text of adopted amendment

Frequently asked questions regarding the Recreation Resort Plan Amendment.

The Executive Director's Report on the Recreation Resort Plan Amendment Proposal.

  Director's Report on the Recreation Resort Plan Amendment Proposal

Summary of Commission Action

At their April 8, 2008 meeting in Stevenson, WA, the Gorge Commission adopted an amendment to the Management Plan that creates policies and guidelines for a new review use, the recreation resort, in the Commercial Recreation land use designation.

The amendment requires any proposed resort development to conform to numerous standards, and demonstrate that it will protect and enhance scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources at the old mill site. It limits the bulk of resort development to the “existing industrial complex”, and requires that it be designed to be visually subordinate from Gorge key viewing areas, and compatible with surrounding areas regarding impacts to traffic, and public services. The amendment also requires overnight accommodations be oriented to short-term use and limits commercial activities at a future resort to those directly serving the needs of the guests, to help support businesses in nearby urban areas.

The Commission adopted specific requirements for units limiting their use to short-term occupancy rather than residential use. The restrictions include a requirement that no party may occupy a unit for more than 45 days in any 90-day period.

The Commission also clarified some wording in the amendment regarding the requirements for recreation resource and enhancement plans, including provisions that require recreation developments at the resort to be accessible to the public. In addition, the commission added a requirement for the bonding of required site clean-up and completion of resource enhancements identified in the resort master plan.

A find order by the Commission is expected within 90 days, after which the adopted amendment will be sent to the Secretary of Agriculture for concurrence. If the Secretary finds the amendment is consistent with the purposes and standards of the Scenic Act, the amendment will be forwarded to Skamania County for adoption into their scenic area land use ordinance. The Commission would then review the county ordinance for consistency with the Management Plan.

Only after the county has an approved ordinance adopting the changes for recreation resorts may a property owner apply to Skamania County for review of a specific resort proposal. 

Earlier Information

Plan Amendment Proposal Notice and Text

Materials related to the proposed amendment (PA-06-01) are available for review on the Commission’s webpage and at the Commission’s office, #1 Town & Country Square, White Salmon, WA, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, (509)493-3323.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Tom Ascher, Planner, Columbia River Gorge Commission.  If you would like to submit a comment on this issue for distribution to the members of the Commission and inclusion in the public record, follow thislink and use the "Email All Commissioners" tab.