What is “Gorge2020”?

“Gorge 2020” is a three-year process to review, and revise as necessary, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan (Plan).

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA) was established by Congress in 1986. Covering 292,000 acres and 85 miles of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington, the National Scenic Area is managed jointly by the Columbia River Gorge Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. The purpose of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act (Act) is to protect and enhance the natural, cultural, scenic and recreation resources of the NSA, and to protect and support the economy of the Columbia River Gorge area. In accordance with the Act, the Columbia River Gorge Commission and U.S. Forest Service adopted a National Scenic Area Management Plan in 1991 to guide land use in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Section 6(g) of the National Scenic Area Act states:

“No sooner than five years after adoption of the management plan, but at least every ten years, the Commission shall review the management plan to determine whether it should be revised. The Commission shall submit any revised management plan to the Secretary (of Agriculture) for review and concurrence, in accordance with the provisions of this section for adoption of the management plan.”

What are the Standards that the Management Plan must meet?

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act sets forth the following requirements that the Columbia Gorge Commission must satisfy when revising the Management Plan:

1. Protect and enhance agricultural lands for agricultural uses;
2. Protect and enhance forest lands for forest uses;
3. Protect and enhance open spaces;
4. Protect and enhance public and private recreation resources and educational and interpretive facilities and opportunities;
5. Prohibit major development actions in special management areas;
6. Prohibit industrial development in the scenic area outside urban areas;
7. Require that commercial development outside urban areas take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, or natural resources of the scenic area;
8. Require that residential development outside urban areas take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation, and natural resources of the scenic area; and
9. Require that mining operations, and the reclamation of mined lands, take place without adversely affecting the scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources of the scenic area

To meet these standards, the current Management Plan draws from elements of Oregon and Washington land use planning and law, elements of federal forest management, and unique elements that the Commission and U.S. Forest Service developed specifically to address situations in the National Scenic Area.

Taking stock of changes in the Gorge

The “Gorge 2020” process offers us an opportunity to reflect on 30 years since the country’s largest and most dynamic Scenic Area was established. It’s been twelve years since the Management Plan was last reviewed and much has changed. New land uses and new types of development are emerging, economies and communities are continuously changing, visitation is steadily rising, and pressures from outside the National Scenic Area affect the people who live, work, and play in the Gorge.

Through this process of community discussions and policy work, the Commission is focused on resiliency in the face of these changes and pressures and has requested additional discussion about how the Plan should address climate change impacts and adaptation. We are asking our partner agencies, organizations, and interested citizens to join in an informed discussion of what it means to uphold the National Scenic Area Act in a manner that is sustainable for the future, given what we know and can learn about regional trends.

How did we identify the items to revise?

The Commission and US Forest Service held public scoping from winter 2016 to spring 2017 to identify necessary revisions to the Management Plan. We hosted three public listening sessions and written comment period, meetings with tribes, agencies, counties, and organizations. We also reviewed the issues identified but not completed during the last Plan Review process in 2004. During its July 2017 meeting, the Commission discussed the issues that staff should pursue further.

We identified some comments that were beyond the Commission’s authorities, in conflict with Commission resolutions, or that required further refinement to be addressed within the Plan. These will not be addressed in “Gorge 2020”.

Please see the Reading Materials tab for full summaries of the input we recieved, background documents, and current plan sections.

Based on the diverse input we collected, and from internal staff review, we identified technical corrections and necessary updates. We also received comments about process improvements, programs, and partnerships that can be addressed through staff work without revising Management Plan content. Capacity and Commission priorities will direct when we address these issues, but we agree that they represent opportunities to improve our work to implement the Plan.

Some of these on-going efforts that do not require Plan revisions include:

• Supporting regional partnerships including MCEDD, the Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance, Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership, Pacific Northwest Economic Region Partnership, East Cascades Oak Partnership, and others
• Improving tools for landowners, realtors including online maps and information
• Engaging volunteers and stakeholders to increase efficiency and effectiveness
• Supporting traffic congestion studies and regional solutions related to transportation
• Securing additional funding for Commission capacity and programs

The remaining comments made up recommended items to carry forward for further discussion, examination of trends, text revisions and/or policy changes. We further refined these carry forward items, based on their urgency for changes in the Management Plan, direct relevance to the purposes of the Act and the role of the Commission, scope and scale of the issue, and potential impacts of delaying action. Looking through these lenses we identified focus topics deserving a “deep dive”, additional information, and robust public engagement strategies to adequately address. Input from the public, stakeholders, agency partners, and tribal governments assisted staff in identifying these four focus topics needing further discussion. These items are directly relevant to needed changes in the Management Plan, are timely, and of high interest to many stakeholders. Please see the Focus Topics tab for more information.

Please check our website for updates and sign up for our listserve to receive email alerts by sending an email to info@gorgecommission.org.

Economic Vitality

The Commission and Forest Service are analyzing economic drivers in the NSA, and defining the Commission’s role related to economic development. We've convened a work group to provide input. Please see the Staff Report below for the lastest information on the progress of this focus topic.

• For Public Comment and Review: Draft Economic Development Chapter Edits - Tracked Changes For Review
• Economic Vitality Staff Report dated 8/13/2019 (updated 3/12/2019)
• Draft Economic Development Chapter Edits - Clean Version dated 12/1/2019
• Economic Vitality Staff Report dated 4/29/2020

• Public Comment - Friends of the Columbia Gorge dated 1/31/2020
• Public Comment - MCEDD - 1/2020
• Public Comment - Port of The Dalles dated 1/31/2020
• Public Comment - Individuals Submitting Comments through Friends of the Columbia Gorge
• Public Comment - Friends of the Columbia Gorge dated 4/27/2020
• Public Comment - Port of The Dalles dated 4/28/2020
• Public Comment - Gorge 2020 Economic Vitality Comments & Responses June 1-September 8, 2020

Please contact Krystyna Wolniakowski for more information.

Urban Area Boundaries

The Commission is clarifying the process and criteria for revising Urban Area boundaries. In April 2018, the Commission discussed the history and background of urban area policy in the National Scenic Area. In May and June 2018, the Commission discussed several foundational questions as a means of learning about urban area boundaries and to give high-level direction to staff. Currently, Commission staff are holding workshops to develop draft policy, alternatives, and a report of the workshops. The Commission will consider the draft and alternatives in spring 2019. The following documents chronicle the Commission’s discussion and staff workshops.

• History and Background of Urban Area Policy
• October 2017 Buildable Lands Inventory Report
• May 2018 Foundational Questions Staff Report
• June 2018 Foundational Questions Staff Report
• Notes of May and June Foundational Questions Commission Workshops
• July 24 & August 1, 2018 Staff Workshop Slides
• July 24 & August 1, 2018 Staff Workshop Notes
• August 21, 2018 Staff Workshop Agenda
• August 21, 2018 Staff Workshop Slides
• August 21, 2018 Staff Workshop DLCD Slides
• August 21, 2018 Staff Workshop Wash. Dept. of Commerce Slides
• August 21, 2018 Staff Workshop Notes
• September 17, 2018 Staff Workshop Agenda
• September 17, 2018 Staff Workshop Slides
• September 17, 2018 Staff Workshop: Steve Harris's The Dalles UGB Slides
• September 17, 2018 Staff Workshop: Email from Angie Brewer re: Local Planning for UAB's
• September 17, 2018 Staff Workshop Notes
• October 15, 2018 Staff Workshop Agenda
• October 15, 2018 Staff Workshop Slides
• October 15, 2018 Staff Workshop Draft Policy
• October 15, 2018 Staff Workshop Notes
• November 18, 2018 Staff Workshop Agenda
• November 18, 2018 Staff Workshop: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Slides
• November 18, 2018 Staff Workshop Draft Policy
• November 18, 2018 Staff Workshop Notes
• August 14, 2019 Staff Workshop Agenda
• August 14, 2019 Draft Policy for Workshop
• August 14, 2019 Staff Workshop Notes
• November, 12, 2019 Memo - Urban Area Boundary Revision Policy

Please contact Jeff Litwak for more information.

Recreation

The Commission and Forest Service will examine policies related to recreation and tourist visitation including but not limited to demand/capacity, access, regional planning, and Recreation Intensity Classes.

• March 2020 Memo
• September 2019 Memo - Recreation Focus Topic Discussion Questions
• March 2019 Memo - Recreation Resources Focus Topic Review

Please contact Casey Gatz or Aiden Forsi for more information.

Land Uses and Development Reviews

The Commission and Forest Service will revise and clarify land use policies to improve consistent application of resource guidelines. Potential plan updates are primarily related to residential development and the types of uses that should be allowed on forest, agriculture, and residential land in the National Scenic Area, including, but not limited to, expedited review uses, solar development, winery and tasting room guidelines, accessory dwellings, and agritourism.

• March 2020 Memo - Land Uses and Development Reviews Discussion of Key Issues
• November 2019 Memo - Land Uses and Development Reviews Status Update and Discussion Questions
• October 3, 2019 Meeting Summary
• Notes from Breakout Discussions - Oct 3rd
• Agricultural Lands Values and Concerns - Oct 3rd
• Notes from September 12th Open House
• September 12, 2019 Open House: Discussion Topics
• Notes from August 14, 2019 Public Workshop
• August 14, 2019 Public Workshop: Discussion Topics
• November 2018 Memo - Land Uses and Development Reviews: Key Issues
• September 2018 Memo - Update on Land Uses and Development Reviews

The Commission and Forest Service are discussing these policies with county planners and will be preparing public outreach opportunities to discuss the topic.

Please contact Robin Shoal or Joanna Kaiserman for more information.

Technical Review

The Commission and the US Forest Service are also convening technical experts to review and revise the Scenic Resources and Natural Resources sections of the plan with updated information. There will be opportunities to weigh in on draft revisions to those sections (see the Timeline tab).

Natural Resources

In May, 2019 we shared a Working Draft chapter for consideration. Posted below is the current version of the Working Draft. Public comments will be accepted and additional changes of a technical nature can be considered. Check back for the most recent version of the working draft chapter here.

• May Update Memo - Overview of Natural Resources Recommended Technical Revisions
• Working Draft Part I, Chapter 3 Natural Resources (recommended changes shown in red mark-up)
• Working Draft Natural Resources Chapter (copy incorporates recommended revisions for easy reading)

Please contact Jessica Olson with questions or to submit written comments.

Scenic Resources

In November 2018 the Forest Service presented an overview of the current Scenic Resources protections in the Management Plan. Forest Service staff have been working to identify the scope of proposed updates to the Management Plan and other resources such as the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook.

• March 2020 Memo
• November 2018 Memo - Overview of Scenic Resource Technical Review
• November 2018 Presentation- Overview of Scenic Resource Technical Review

Please contact Morai Helfen for more information.

Overview

• The National Scenic Area Act
• The National Scenic Area Management Plan

Scoping

• Categorized Scoping Comments
• Summary of Public Comments
• Summary of Agency and Partner Organization Comments
• Summary of Comments from Local Governments and Tribes
• Plan Issues Compiled
• Transcript of all Scoping Comments

Recreation

• Columbia Gorge Tourism Studio Baseline Assessment
• Columbia River Gorge Bicycle Recreation: Economic Impact Forecast for the Communities Along the Historic Columbia River Highway
• Recreation Report and Recommended Strategies

Urban Area Boundaries

• Urban Area Boundary Policy Background Notebook
• Urban Area Revisions in the NSA Act - Section 4(f)
• Comparison of the Oregon and Washington Urban Growth Boundary Expansion Rules
• May 8th Memo to the Gorge Commission Regarding Urban Area Boundary Policy Foundational Questions
• June 12th Memo to the Gorge Commission regarding UAB Policy Foundational Questions
• Notes from the May 8th and June 12th, 2018 Workshops
• July 13th: Invitation to Staff Workshops

Economic Development

• Economic Development in the NSA, presented at the April 2017 Commission Meeting
• Columbia Gorge Economic Development Strategy (2017-2022)
• Federal Outdoor Recreation Trends: Effects on Economic Opportunities (2016)
• Spending and Economic Activity from Recreation at Oregon State Part Properties – Columbia River Gorge Management Unit (2013)