FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE

Spring 2003 Newsletter

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By Michael Lang, Conservation Director, michael@gorgefriends.org

pres

ervi

ng sc

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are

as Anticipated budget cutsfrom both the Oregon and

Washington Legislatures havethe Gorge Commission gearingup to rush through the Manage-ment Plan Review, possiblycompleting the process at theend of its fiscal year on June 30.

Friends supports funding forGorge programs that protect andenhance scenic, natural, culturaland recreation resources. It isunfortunate that the Commis-sion may not receive adequate

funding for the next biennium,but it may result in the agencybeing forced to postpone consid-ering proposals to weaken Gorgeprotection and open up scenicvistas to more logging, miningand development.

So far in Plan Review, theCommission has favored allow-ing more development at theexpense of the scenic beauty andnatural heritage of the Gorge.The Commission has largelyignored hundreds of public

comments advocating for specificways in which the Commissioncould improve Gorge protection.Instead, the Commission staff hasproposed weakening naturalresource buffers, eliminatingprotection for some scenic land-scapes in the Gorge, eliminating arule that prohibits adverse cumu-lative effects of development, andallowing development to belocated where it is more visiblefrom important viewing areas inthe Gorge.

The Commission voted to tryto address some issues by the endof the fiscal year and to postponethe rest of the issues until the nextbiennial budget is determined.Below are highlights of the short-term and long-term lists for PlanReview.

Scenic ProtectionScenic resource protection has

been an area where the Commis-sion staff has generally pushed toweaken the standards that protectGorge landscapes from newdevelopment. There are a coupleof exceptions to this trend, butthey are disappointingly few.

Short term: Commission staffhas proposed removing therequirement for new developmentto be sited where visibility will beminimized. Friends supports

Friends’ VolunteerOpportunities Insert

I N S I D E

View from Dalles Mountain. Friends has advocated that nearby Dalles MountainRoad be considered as a new Key Viewing Area under revisions to the Manage-ment Plan. photo: Friends of the Columbia Gorge archives

Commission ConsidersWeakening Gorge Protection

Budget Cuts May Limit Plan Review

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Executive Director’s Letter“The Columbia River Gorge is an area of worldwide importance, where scenic qualities anddiverse landscapes, together with their natural and cultural components, areparamount…where the human presence is lightly demonstrated…”

— excerpts from the Columbia River Gorge Commission 1988 Vision

Fifteen years ago, with the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act passed butstill unimplemented, the Columbia River Gorge Commission came together to outline itsVision of the Gorge, and the role the Commission should play in protecting it.

They drafted a Vision quite remarkable for a government agency and used that Vision to set inmotion the creation of a management plan that has guided Gorge development for the last 11

years. That plan has generally succeeded inholding the line against sprawling development,yet has allowed the building of more than 600houses in the National Scenic Area. The Visionhas helped preserve the landscapes that havecaptivated thousands of residents and millionsof visitors over the past decade.

As the Gorge Commission wrestles with themandated review of its Management Plan, theCommission’s Vision is being sorely tested. Theconcept of the Columbia River Gorge as an areaof worldwide significance has been lost,marginalized, or ignored due to local and statepolitics. Recommendations to weaken scenicprotections continue to come forward. Consider-ations to actually reduce stream buffers that arealready inadequate according to modern sciencedemonstrate that our human footprint in theGorge would be anything but light in the future.

At best, it appears the Columbia River GorgeCommission is losing direction. At worst, it isabandoning its Vision.

As Conservation Director Michael Lang reports in our cover story, the Commission’s review ofits Management Plan has a new twist this spring: likely cuts to the Commission’s budgetcoming from Salem and Olympia. These cuts are being threatened even as the Commissionworks to satisfy legislators who are determined to weaken Gorge protections. It’s the ultimateirony: working to appease the unappeasable, and in the process, losing sight of why you exist.

We have all heard it is darkest before the dawn.But we also know that those most likely to recog-nize the dawning moment are those with the bestvision. Here’s hoping the Gorge Commission willregain its vision of protecting the irreplaceablenational legacy of the Columbia River Gorge.

Sincerely,

Kevin GormanExecutive Director

Mission StatementFriends of the Columbia Gorge shall vigorously protect the

scenic, natural, cultural and recreational resources within theColumbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

We fulfill this mission by ensuring strict implementationof the National Scenic Area Act; promoting responsible

stewardship of Gorge lands and waters; encouraging publicownership of sensitive areas; educating the public about theunique natural values of the Columbia River Gorge and the

importance of preserving those values; and working withgroups and individuals to accomplish

mutual preservation goals.—Adopted November 20, 1997

On April 13, 2003, Kevin Gorman hiked with Friends’ members onthe Lewis & Clark Landscapes Major Creek parcel. Lewis & Clarkcamped along Major Creek on April 14, 1806.photo: Tiffany Kenslow

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Citizen Involvement Update

Friends’ Outreach &Volunteer HappeningsBy Betsy Toll, Volunteer Coordinator, betsy@gorgefriends.org

Check the completeschedule online atwww.gorgefriends.org.For more details, emailhikes@gorgefriends.org,or 503-241-3762 x400. ■

Native Plants atBridal Veil

The hard work andcommitment of

Friends’ stewardshipvolunteers are takingroot at Bridal Veil FallsState Park. Since adopt-ing Bridal Veil as a long-term natural restorationproject last year, volun-teers have shown upregularly to uproot anddig out invasive black-berry and ivy. In March and earlyMay, the first 100 native plants in ourrevegetation effort—nootka roses,wild ginger, penstemon, and others—were finally put in the newlycleared ground.

Bridal Veil work parties arescheduled for Saturday, June 7, and

Saturday, July 12, 9:00 AMto 1:00 PM at Bridal VeilState Park. Seewww.gorgefriends.org formore details, or call503-241-3762 x107. ■

Spring VolunteerGathering

More than 40 activeFriends’ volunteers

enjoyed our annual volun-teer celebration on April 22at Lucky LabradorBrewpub. Staff presentedupdates on Gorge issues,outlined current challengesthat call for active involve-

Hiking Season in Full Bloom

Friends’ annual Spring HikingProgram more than doubled its

offerings this year. Growing fromthe traditional schedule of one hikeeach weekend plus an extrava-ganza in June, the schedule thisspring includes two to four hikesevery weekend from mid-Marchthrough June 8. The season culmi-nates with nearly 20 outingsthroughout the Gorge on GorgeHiking Weekend, June 14–15.

We’ve added different featuresin addition to our perennial wild-flower favorites: hikes that featureLewis and Clark history, wildlifeand natural history information,and members-only outings. Recordnumbers of Gorge enthusiasts areenjoying the wonders of the Gorgethis spring, yet each hike has amore congenial number of partici-pants. The expanded program isgreat for hikers and hike leaders,and much kinder to the trails andlands where we hike.

Some 25 outings are scheduledbetween late May and June 15.

Volunteer Carlton Olson (l) and Friends’ AmeriCorpsmember Cathy Robart enjoy new growth sproutingfrom a stump unburied from a dense blackberrythicket last fall at Bridal Veil State Park.Photo: Diana Karabut

Stay Connected and Volunteer!We’ve included our 2003 Volun-teer Form in this newsletter. Besure to fill it out and return it tous—we need your help in a varietyof ways. Also, stay in touch withFriends between quarterlynewsletters, through our GorgeActivities and Action Email List.Send your e-address tobetsy@gorgefriends.org and askto subscribe! ■

ment, and raffled off a Friends’shirt, a Gorge hiking CD, and aLewis & Clark book. For moreinformation on volunteer opportu-nities, contact Betsy atbetsy@gorgefriends.org, or503-241-3762 x107. ■

Hikers break for lunch amid thebalsamroot and oak groves onMemaloose Hills.photo: Diana Karabut

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In the Courts and in the Field…By Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney, nathan@gorgefriends.organd Michael Lang, Conservation Director, michael@gorgefriends.org

Conservation and Legal Program Highlights

protection, andbring develop-ment intocompliancewith the law,while avoidingthe costs ofcontinuedlitigation. Sofar this year,Friends hasresolved threedifferentadministrativeappeals in this“win-win”manner.

In onematter, Friendschallenged aSkamania County land usedecision that failed to properlyevaluate the scenic impacts of4,000 square feet of proposedresidential development on a hilleast of Stevenson. Shortly afterfiling the appeal, Friends agreedwith the landowners to delay thehearing so that settlement optionscould be explored.

Ultimately, the parties reacheda settlement that dropped one oftwo proposed garages, improvedthe landscaping map, and clarifiedthe location of the proposeddevelopment to make it lessvisible from key viewing areas.The County approved thesechanges, and Friends withdrewthe appeal.

In another Skamania Countymatter, Friends filed an appealinvolving a land division of a 230-acre parcel along the Lower WhiteSalmon River. Both the county’sand Gorge Commission’s reviewshad failed to recognize that thedecision created new boundarylines through the Open Space

Friends Protects ResourcesThrough Agreements

Friends’ development reviewand legal programs for 2003have resulted in impressive

successes to date. We have contin-ued to review all proposeddevelopment within the ColumbiaRiver Gorge National Scenic Area,provide detailed comments priorto a decision, and to step in withadministrative appeals where thecounty planning directors fallshort in their decisions.

In many cases, it is possible toresolve legal matters through thesettlement process. This allowsFriends to achieve consensus withthe other parties, increase resource

zone, which is prohibited. OpenSpace is the most protective landuse designation and prohibitsland divisions and most newdevelopment.

In response to our appeal, thelandowners agreed to redraw theboundary lines to avoid affectingthe land zoned as Open Space. Inresponse to a joint request fromFriends and the landowners, theSkamania County Board ofAdjustment approved the re-drawn boundary lines.

Finally, Friends settled alongstanding dispute inMultnomah County involving aproposed house along the Colum-bia River in the Warrendale area.In prior litigation involving theproposal, Friends had prevailedbefore the Multnomah CountyHearings Officer on issues involv-ing the legality of the parcel andthe scenic impacts of the proposeddwelling. Following that ruling,the applicants submitted addi-

Friends’ Land Use Legal Assistant Glenn Fullilove studies asite map while reviewing a proposed building site inSkamania County.photo: Nathan Baker

This landscaping plan, prepared by Landscape ArchitectDean Apostol, was incorporated into a settlement toprotect scenic landscapes.

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It was there one moment— thenhalf of it was gone. A few monthsago, all signs indicated that the

U.S. Forest Service would be receivinga $10 million congressional appro-priation for its Gorge Land Acquisi-tion Program in 2003. The $10 millionwas in the President’s original budgetand passed through both the Houseand Senate, but it was cut in half to $5million by a Senate conference reportin a last-minute effort to decreasefederal spending.

This cut comes at a critical time forGorge land acquisition. In 2000, anamendment to the Columbia RiverGorge National Scenic Area Actresulted in a flood of offers fromGorge landowners to the U.S. ForestService to sell their land—187 offerstotaling more than 6,700 acres. Theamendment stipulated that the ForestService must make purchase offerswithin three years or the lands offeredwill convert to less restrictive zoningand allow more development andincreased logging and mining.

In 2002, the Forest service pur-chased 21 properties totaling morethan 1,000 acres.

Now, because of the funding cut,public protection of many critical

By Tiffany Kenslow, Field Organizer, tiffany@gorgefriends.org

lands is injeopardy.The ForestService hasindicatedthat lessthan one-third of the37 offers itwas process-ing for 2003will remainactive. Afew will bemoved to2004, and 18will bedelayedindefinitely.

The Forest Service indicates theywill need $15 million in 2004 for theGorge Land Acquisition Program.Through our Lewis & Clark Land-scapes Project, Friends continues towork with our congressional delega-tion to secure necessary funds, butwe face an uphill struggle. We’reencouraged that the entire OregonHouse delegation and two membersof the Washington House delegationwrote a letter to the House Appro-priations Committee’s Subcommittee

Conservation and Legal Program HighlightsFriends Protects Resources…(continued from page 4)

Land Acquisition FundingSlashed in Final Days

tional information regarding thelegality of the parcel, and agreed towork with Friends to mitigate scenicimpacts.

The resulting settlement agree-ment limits the dwelling to a modest1,800 square feet and screens thedwelling as viewed from the Colum-bia River and Beacon Rock. Thescreening requirements are based on

What you can do:Contact your elected officials

and ask them to support $15million for the Gorge landacquisition program.

Sample letters, contact infor-mation and more informationabout the Lewis & Clark Land-scapes project are available atwww.gorgefriends.org.

Or contact Tiffany Kenslow attiffany@gorgefriends.org or(541) 386-5268. ■

a landscaping plan prepared byFriends’ landscape architect DeanApostol.

As long as new development isallowed in the Gorge, Friends willcontinue to monitor developmentproposals and work with developersand reviewing agencies to ensurecompliance with Gorge protectionlaws. ■

on Interior and Related Agenciessupporting the full $15 millionrequest. ■

Several parcels surrounding St. PetersDome and Rock of Ages (shown here) mayface increased development due to cuts inGorge Land Acquisition Program funding.photo: Deirdre Murray

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Funding Gorge Protection

DevelopmentDirector’s ReportBy Jane Haley-Harris, Development Director, jane@gorgefriends.org

Membership MeetingDraws Record Numbers

More than 180 Friends mem-bers came to Skamania

Lodge in Stevenson, Washingtonfor our Annual Meeting in April.A beautiful luncheon was fol-lowed by a presentation fromauthor and Emmy-winningcinematographer Rex Ziak.

Standing in front of a beautifulmap of the lower Columbia River,Rex read from the Lewis & Clarkjournals, recounting the Corps ofDiscovery’s progress through theGorge nearly 200 years ago. Healso discussed his new book, InFull View, which explores in detailthe rugged final 20 miles of Lewis& Clark’s voyage to the Pacific. ■

SternwheelerEvent Reprised

Friends’ Sternwheeler Lewis &Clark Landscapes Tour of the

Gorge was such a success lastyear, we’re taking the trip again.Join us on Saturday, June 14 from9:00 AM to 2:00 PM as author RexZiak shares stories of Lewis andClark’s journeys through theGorge. Friends founder NancyRussell will describe historicallysignificant Gorge landscapes thatFriends is working to preserve,and lunch and live music areincluded in this perfect day on theriver. Cost is $55. For reservationsand details, call our office at503-241-3762. ■

Summer Picnic

Planning for Friends’ AnnualPicnic is underway. Details

about this year’s picnic location—a beautiful riverfront home inVancouver—will be mailed in

Check out Electronic Renewal OptionsFriends members can renew quickly and efficiently on-line. Log on towww.gorgefriends.org and click the Join/Renew link on our Mem-bership Page. If you have sent us your e-mail address, we will sendyou an automatic e-mail renewal reminder, too. Be sure to check outour electronic funds transfer program, as well. A monthly orquarterly gift made through this option saves us all precious re-sources as well as saving time. Log on and check it out! ■

early summer, but mark July 20on your calendar right away. ■

Where There’s a WillThere’s a Way

Estate Planning is an excellentway to leave a lasting legacy

to the Gorge. Many Friendsmembers have made arrange-ments in their wills for a gift toFriends of the Columbia Gorge.Gifts can be undesignated, to beused where needed, or can bedirected to the Endowment Fundto remain in perpetuity, providingyearly income to our operatingbudget for protection of theColumbia Gorge.

Call Jane Haley-Harris at503-241-3762 x102 for more

information about our PlannedGiving Program. ■

Exploring Alaska’sCoastal Wilderness

Space is still available onLindblad Cruise Line’s Seabird

ship voyaging from Juneau toSitka June 22–29. This exceptionalcompany offers the trip of alifetime, and a percentage of theproceeds from this cruise comes toFriends. The trip offers a stunning,up-close look at Alaska’s frozenwilderness for adventurous naturelovers and sightseers. CallFriends’ office at 503-241-3762x102 for details. ■

AuthorRex Ziakenthrallsmemberswithaccountsfrom theLewis &Clarkjournals.

photo: KenDenis

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keeping this standard, and in fact,adopting a stronger standard forendangered landscapes in theGorge. The Commission will alsoconsider whether to require corri-dor planning along highways in theGorge. Friends supports corridorplanning as a way to ensure com-prehensive scenic resource protec-tion over time.

Long term: Commission staffrecommended eliminating thecurrent language in the Manage-ment Plan intended to preventcumulative impacts. In its place, thestaff recommends vague wordingthat describes adoption of a cumu-lative effects standard at somefuture time, after Plan Review.Friends supports the currentstandards that protect Gorgelandscapes from the cumulativeeffects of development, identifyinglandscapes facing developmentpressure, and adopting strongerprotection standards for theselandscapes.

Commission staff supportsallowing new development within300 feet of key viewing areas to bemore visible than currently al-lowed. Friends supports the currentstandard requiring new develop-ment to blend into surroundinglandscape.

Commercial andIndustrial Uses

The Commission is consideringincreased commercial uses, such asmore bed and breakfast inns,commercial events, catering facili-ties and wineries in rural residen-tial zones, and new industrial usessuch as fish processing plants.Friends is generally opposed toincreased commercial uses in theNational Scenic Area. The NationalScenic Act prohibits industrial usesand development except withinurban areas in the Gorge.

The Commission staff has alsoproposed the following changes tothe management plan:

a Allowing ODOT to stockpilehighway spoils in the Scenic Area;

a Streamlining environmentalreview for uses that will have“minor effects”;

a Expand the list of uses anddevelopment that are allowedwithout any review;

a Recognizing some outdatedsubdivision lots and requiring theaggregation of others.

Commission Postpones ManyControversial Topics

Everything else is being put onhold until the budget situation isresolved. The proposals include:rezoning land currently zoned asOpen Space to Forest, whichwould allow large-scale loggingand even mining; rezoningagricultural lands to allow moreland divisions and development;revising cluster developmentstandards; revising standards thatrestrict conversion of farm land toresidential development; andconsideration of allowing newschools and churches in the NSA.Every one of these topics have thepotential to allow more develop-ment at the expense of the naturalbeauty of the Gorge. ■

How You Can Helpa Contact the Columbia River

Gorge Commissioners directly tolet them know how you feel.Check www.gorgefriends.org forcontact information.a Sign on to our email list as

an Email Activist; encourageothers to sign on as well. Emailbetsy@gorgefriends.org to signon.a Attend Plan Review and

Gorge Commission meetings andhearings.

For more information onFriends of the Columbia Gorge’sefforts on Management PlanReview, contact Michael Lang,michael@gorgefriends.org ■

Commission Considers Weakening…(continued from page 1)

Portland Office522 SW Fifth Avenue, #820

Portland, Oregon 97204503-241-3762

Gorge Office416 Oak Street

Hood River, OR 97031541-386-5268

Board of DirectorsAnn Wheelock, Chair

John Reynolds, Vice ChairNancy N. Russell, Chair Emerita

Rick Ray*, TreasurerKen Denis, Secretary

Kim Gilmer*, Member At-largeChris Beck

William Bell*Broughton H. Bishop

Bowen Blair, Jr.North Cheatham*

Susan Garrett Crowley *Spencer Dick

Karen JohnsonDiana Karabut

Christine Knowles*Missy Ryan

Dick Springer

StaffNathan Baker Staff Attorney

Kristin DeBenedetto Development AssistantGlen Fullilove Land Use Legal Assistant

Kevin Gorman Executive DirectorJane Haley Development Director

Michael Lang Conservation DirectorTiffany Kenslow* Field Organizer

Cathy Robart* Americorps MemberJoanie Thompson* Gorge Outreach Coordinator

Betsy Toll Volunteer Coordinator* Gorge residents

Additional SupportLegal Counsel: Gary Kahn

Newsletter Design: Kathleen Krushas

Friends of theColumbia Gorge

www.gorgefriends.org

Friends of the Columbia GorgeP.O. Box 40820Portland, Oregon 97240-0820

Return service requested

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPortland, OR

Permit No. 2623

Spring Hiking News

With spring hiking season in full bloom, the ColumbiaGorge offers some of the best hikes, vistas, andwildflower shows anywhere. Here are some tips:

• Friends’ Dog Mountain Hike on May 31 presents one of theGorge’s most brilliant displays of balsamroot, lupine, and redpaintbrush. It’s a challenging uphill hike, with a 2900-ft. eleva-tion gain, but Dog Mountain’s flowers and vistas make everystep on the trail worth the effort.

• Our Hamilton Mountain Hike (also May 31) is almost asrigorous as Dog Mountain, and offers wonderful wildflowerdisplays and waterfalls as well. Abundant patches of the “in-side-out flower,” white serviceberry, juneberry, and Saskatoonberry greet hikers on their way up the 2,100-ft. elevation gain onthis trail.

• Other great spots in Friends’ May and June hiking programalso include less strenuous hikes. Wahkeena Falls, Cape Horn,Eagle Creek, and Indian Head are just a few of the moderatehikes planned, while Table Mountain, Ruckel Ridge and WindMountain, along with Dog and Hamilton (above), are great forexperienced hikers.

Check our website at www.gorgefriends.org for details onhikes through Gorge Hiking Weekend, June 14–15. Contacthikes@gorgefriends.org, or call 503-241-3762 x107 for moreinformation. ■

Know Your Gorge

Hikers at Stacker Butte amid balsamroot in full bloom.photo: Cathy Robart

IN HONOR OF BRIAN SHEPHERD

CATHERINE AND STEVE LITTLE

IN MEMORY OF CLARLISA BRANCH

ROBERT AND ENID BRANCH

IN MEMORY OF CHARLIE DAVIS

HENRY AND MARY ESTHER DASENBROCK

IN MEMORY OF JIM GAMWELL

NANCY AND BRUCE RUSSELL

IN MEMORY OF CONNIE JENSEN

MARGARET CAI

JOSEPH AND ANNE CASEY

CLAUDINE AND RICHARD COUGHLIN

PHOEBE DE GREE

NANCY GERHARDT

THOMAS AND DORIS HACKER

DORIS JENSEN

JAMES AND VIRGINIA JENSEN

WILLIAM JENSEN

NANCY AND BRUCE RUSSELL

HERBERT AND MARGARET SHAFER

GREG & JANET VOHS

IN MEMORY OF TAMRA LISY

PAULETTE CARTER BARTEE

NANCY AND BRUCE RUSSELL

IN MEMORY OF MARK & KATIE MCMANUS

RICHARD AND MARJORIE MCMANUS

IN MEMORY OF NANCY THOMAS

JAMES, CAROLINE AND KEVIN SMITH

JOAN K. THOMAS

IN MEMORY OF ESTHER VETTERLEIN

BROUGHTON AND MARY BISHOP

NANCY AND BRUCE RUSSELL

Thank Youfor your

special contributions