FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE
Senators Make Columbia Gorge Land Purchase Top Priority Friends, Landowners Join in Coalition Senators Slade Gorton (top) and Patty Murray are supporting ,, As this newsletter goes to press, purchase of important Gorge We want to it appears that landowners and lands offered for sale by Gorge landscapes in the Columbia River landowners. Public purchase of continue our work Gorge National Scenic Area will benefit these lands will meet the needs of landowners and prated with this from an $8 million appropriation pastoral farm and forest lands partnership in the proposed by Senator Slade Gorton and across from Oregon's Crown years ahead to supported by Senators Patty Murray, Point, native wildflowers and Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden. geologic wonders of the ensure fairness to Catherine Creek-Major Creek The funding, included by Gorton in watershed, and forested stream landowners and the U.S. Forest Service's budget for corridors that provide habitat permanent fiscal year 1998, is to be used to acquire for native fish. protection for the lands the Forest Service has determined Below: This spectacular vista is Gorge's scenic are essential to protecting vistas and planned to be the centerpiece of natural resources in the Scenic Area. a new Gorge park in Washing beauty and wild The funding is supported by Friends of ton state, linked by an extensive places." the Columbia Gorge and the Gorge Fair new trail system. Deal Committee, a group of Gorge landowners. Lauri Aunan, Executive Director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, noted the funding proposal has been sup ported by many members of the North west congressional delegation and urged these supporters to continue their efforts. 'The timing of this appropriation is critical. Delaying the identified land acquisition projects threatens the 10 years of work and $40 million federal investment already made in the Scenic Area," said Aunan. "We applaud Senator Gorton's recognition of these important acquisitions." The $8 million will include protection for pastoral farm and forest lands directly across the Columbia River from Oregon's Crown Point, native wildflowers and geologic wonders of the Catherine Creek-Major Creek watershed just east of White
continued on page 6 Executive Director's Letter
ur cover story in this issue highlights Senator Gorton's leadership for increased protection for Gorge lands and landowners. The Senator's strong support for this program is very good news, as is his support for funding payments to local governments, new trail construction, and new opportunities for economic development in Skamania County at the site of the old Forest Service Wind River Nursery.
Unfortunately, the news is not so good for another key part of Gorge protection. Despite strong efforts by the governors of Oregon and Washington, the state legislatures slashed the Gorge protection budget for the Gorge Commission by about 40% - a drastic cut. This funding was diverted to Gorge counties (see story on page 4).
Without adequate funding, the Gorge Commission will be unable to carry out its responsibilities to protect the Gorge from illegal development, clearcutting, and mining. The Commission will be unable to evaluate whether natural and cultural resources are being protected or lost. Without adequate informa tion, the Commission will be unable to make policy changes or take initiatives that are need to improve both protection and the economy. The Commission will be unable to provide broader forums to improve communication and working relationships among the many local governments, state and federal agencies, and citizens concerned about the Gorge.
Without the Gorge Commission, it will fall to the Gorge counties - and their increased funding - to step forward to see that the scenic, natural, cultural and recreation resources of the Gorge are protected for future generations. How will the counties meet the challenge? Will the counties take this opportunity to weaken Gorge protection guidelines during review of the Gorge Management Plan, starting in 1998? Will the counties follow Gorge protection guidelines in approving development? Will the counties enforce ( violations of Gorge protection laws?
With the continued support of our members and supporters, Friends will be monitoring new develop ments and letting you know how they will affect the Gorge.
Sincerely, Vanishing farmland. Farmhouses and fields are disappearing at c!t'aMtJ (J,,~ the western end of the Columbia River Gorge, replaced by Lauri Aunan trophy homes and suburban sprawl as development pressure intensifies. Will Gorge counties take steps to prated remaining Executive Director farm lands, forests and open spaces? Photo by Lauri Aunan ( Gorge Watch Citizen Involvement Update
Volunteers Make Gorge Creek, Wash Appreciation Week a Success ington, to allow ponsored with the generous people of all Ssupport of PGE, Friends' abilities to enjoy second annual Gorge Appreciation the spectacular Week included more than 200 wildflowers and volunteers from throughout the beautiful Gorge and Portland/Vancouver expansive area. views. Participating schools included "It was Mosier Elementary, Corbett Middle wonderful to School, Central Catholic High see ranchers School and Klickitat Middle and and bankers High Schools. With help from the and people Forest Service, Oregon State Parks from all walks and the Mazamas, volunteers of life planted trees, placed habitat boxes participating for songbirds, removed ivy from side-by-side," trees and restored vegetation. said Marti "People of all ages are willing to Ebbert, outreach participate as stewards of our parks coordinator for At Memaloose Park, Mosier Elementary School students pitch in to pull and trails," said Kristin Reese, REI and one of out invasive, non-native ivy, which can strangle trees and shrubs. Outreach Director for Friends of the organizers Photo by Ken Denis the Columbia Gorge. "It is a real of the event, joy to work with interested educa "Connecting People, Connecting productive day and your help tors and community leaders to Places is what National Trails Day is really made a difference. have a positive impact." about for us." Please contact Friends of the Our heartfelt apprecia Columbia Gorge for information tion to Brendan Eiswerth, about future trail projects. • volunteer project coordi nator, and Carmen Johnson and Ken Denis our volunteer photogra phers. We look forward to next year's Gorge Appre ciation Week with new partners and projects and even more volunteers. •
Partnerships Build Catherine Creek Trail by Kristin Reese his spring, Friends The Back Country Horsemen joined Friends, REI, the teamed up with co Forest Service and many other volunteers to build a T universal access trail on public land overlooking the sponsors REI and the USDA Forest Service for a Friends members Connie and Mike Dana donned hard hats for the National Trails Day project. More Many thanks to Friends members Catherine Creek trail-building project than 100 volunteers helped build a who gave their time and energy to be this spring. "barrier free" trail at Catherine a part of the team. It was a great, continued on page 6 Will Counties Protect the Columbia Gorge? State Legislatures Divert Gorge Protection Funding to Counties by Michael Lang protection begins to crumble. Recent research conducted by Friends staff reveals disturbing patterns of land use, particularly at the west end of the Gorge located so close to the growing Portland/ Vancouver metropolitan area. In many cases, developers have failed to comply with the law, and the county governments have failed to enforce the law. This pattern is becoming evident from Crown Point, one of the most visited viewing areas in the Columbia River Gorge. From this vista, visitors gaze over the Columbia River and the pastoral landscape of Mt. Pleasant and Cape Horn in Washington. arlier this year, the the pace of growth in incorpo This fragile landscape is Washington and Oregon rated cities in the four Gorge increasingly at risk. Recently, the Elegislatures slashed the counties. This trend is leading the Skamania County Planning Gorge protection budget of the Gorge to a future dominated by Department approved new Columbia River Gorge Commis suburban sprawl, bedroom development on this landscape sion, and diverted hundreds of communities and paved-over without following guidelines to thousands of dollars to Gorge farms and forests. protect sensitive resources and counties. With its funding Part of the problem is lack of scenic views. To make matters reduced, the Gorge Commission enforcement of current protection worse, unpermitted developments cut back its budget for enforce standards. In an attempt to are scattered across this significant ment of Gorge protection laws balance Gorge protection and landscape. and weakened its environmental development, the Gorge Act The Corbett area in eastern monitoring program. allows new development in the Multnomah County is also experi At the same time, develop Gorge to continue, under guide encing rapid development. Large ment - including unpermitted lines that seek to minimize trophy homes are being built on development - has accelerated damage to Gorge resources. For scenic land once zoned exclusively in the Gorge. Since 1988, more example, new development is for agricultural use. Farm land - than 1,000 new houses have required to be designed and built once protected under Oregon's been approved on rural lands in so that it blends into the land land use laws- has been con the National Scenic Area. Yet scape, instead of dominating the verted to development under neither the Gorge Commission landscape. Gorge Act guidelines weaker Gorge Act guidelines. nor the counties have evaluated require developers to maintain Many new Corbett-area develop how this increasing develop undisturbed stream buffers to ments fail to meet guidelines for ment is affecting natural, scenic, protect water quality and fish resource protection. cultural and recreation re habitat. Continued violations of Gorge sources. Yet the balance between protection guidelines means loss The development trends in development and protection of farm lands, forest lands, open the Gorge are cause for alarm. In works only if developers comply spaces and scenic vistas in the 1996, Friends released a study, with protection guidelines, and Columbia River Gorge. With The State of the Gorge 1996, Gorge counties and the Gorge Gorge protection dollars diverted showing that growth and Commission enforce violations. to Gorge counties, the counties development of rural lands was Without compliance and enforce will need to show they can do the occurring at more than double ment, the framework for Gorge continued on page 6 <:onservator Party Attracts Friends' Major Donors by Nancy Russell Tori Hall (/)and hosts Henry n September 10 more than 50 Friends supporters Hillman and gathered at the magnificent Columbia riverfront home Kiki Hillman of Kiki and Henry Hillman to enjoy our Annual Conser atthe 7997 O Conservators vator Membership Party. The event was our most successful. party. The Hillman residence is the former home of the Spencer Biddle family where Friends held a party on October 3, 1983, when Alice Biddle was still in residence. It is a very lovely home, and the Hillmans have retained all the charm of the place. Following beer and wine cocktails donated by Jim Ellis of both Nor'Wester Beer and Willamette Valley Vineyards, and elegant food supplied by Charlie and Shirley Schubert, owners of the Beaverton Bakery, we gathered on the lawn to hear brief reports from Board Chairman John Reynolds and Executive Director Lauri Aunan. To conclude the program, Jerry Igo of Mosier transformed himself into Hudson Bay Company man Ed Crate of Crate's Point and magically brought history alive for us. We are grateful to Jeanne Norton for her olunteer catering, to John Marks the bartender, to Sheryl Acheson our greeter, to Helene Dick for flowers and hosting, to Marie Steinberg for her photos, and, most of all, we are grateful to the Hillmans for every helpful courtesy one can imagine. •
Your bequest to Friends of the ·Columbia Gorge can Help Save the Gorge for the Next Generation id you know that your will can be a simple and lasting way for you to support protection of the DColumbia River Gorge? Abequest is one of the most forward-looking gifts you can give to Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Your thoughtful gift can help ensure that future genera tions will be able to enjoy and treasure the majesty and beauty of the Columbia River Gorge.
0 Please send information on ways to include Friends of the Columbia Gorge in my will. 0 I hove included Friends of the Columbia Gorge in my will.
- Nome Address Among the many guests: Standing: Marsha Livingstone, City State Zip Code Michael Lang, Susan Grayson, Dave Cannard, Marilyn Telephone Deering, Tom Deering, Barbara Walker, Wendell Walker, Ernie Livingstone. Seated: Dede Killeen, Virginia Cannard, Edith Spady, Dorothy Burdick, Ed and Mary Vranizan. Land Purchase Top Priority Photo by Ken Den is,/
continued from front cover The bill would also provide Salmon, Washington, and funding for payments to Gorge forested stream corridors which counties in lieu of property taxes, provide habitat for native fish. based on the value of lands The funds are also earmarked to purchased by the Forest Service acquire 67 acres, including under the National Scenic Area Pioneer Point high above Cape Act. A proposed exchange of land Horn offering unmatched vistas would also provide future eco of Lower Cape Horn, the Cape nomic opportunities for Skamania Teresa Hutchinson, Cece Dove and Horn cliffs, Beacon Rock and County and its residents. Chase Dubuck line the trails Multnomah Falls. "There are still thousands of at Multnomah Falls to reduce off-trail The $8 million was approved acres that have been offered for foot traffic, which damages native by the Senate. The House and sale by Gorge landowners, which plants and causes soil erosion. Senate are expected to resolve need to be purchased to protect their differences in the bill and their special values," said Aunan. send it to President Clinton for "We want to continue our work continued from page 3 approval this fall. with this partnership in the years The bill also includes funding ahead to ensure fairness to land for developing the first phases of owners and permanent protection a planned 45-mile trail from for the Gorge's scenic beauty and Steigerwald Lake National wild places." Wildlife Refuge, across the top of The Columbia River Gorge Our Volunteers Know We Cape Horn, and on to Skamania National Scenic Area was estab Can't Do Without Them! Lodge. lished with broad bipartisan hanks to our wonderful support by Congress in 1986. Toffice volunteer Susan Wright During the past decade, the Forest who has been helping out on Service has purchased more than Friends' projects. Many thanks to 30,000 acres of land to provide our mailing party volunteers Join Friends of public recreation and to protect Roger & Helene Farnen, Cindy the Columbia Gorge critical habitat and scenic vistas. Humphreys, Ken & Felice Denis, Senator Gorton was an original co o $35 Family Willow Houston, Loretta 0 $25 Individual sponsor of the federal legislation Johnston and Pat Sims. For 0 S1 5 Student/Senior establishing the Scenic Area. • staffing the Gorge Games table, 0 Other: $. _____ thanks to Callie Jordan and Scott
Name: Chapman. • Phone: Will Counties Protect? E-Mail: continued from page 4 A Call to Action Address: job in protecting this national ou have seen the articles and City: treasure. Will the counties ensure Yread the editorials about State: Zip : that developers follow the law? trouble in the Columbia Gorge. YES, I want to volunteer for the Will the counties follow protec What is going on with the Gorge Gorge tion guidelines in approving new Commission? Attend a Gorge 0 Adopt-A-Highway Utter Pickups developments? Will the counties Commission meeting to find out. 0 Habitat and Botanical Restoration 0 Community Education evaluate whether Gorge resources Meet the Gorge Commissioners 0 Hiking Activities are being protected or lost? Over and others who care about 0 Attending Hearings the next year, Friends will be Columbia Gorge protection. 0 Technical Support 0 Other: ------ monitoring county actions and Meetings are generally held Mail your membership coupon development approvals to deter once a month. For a 1997-98 and contribution to: mine whether the counties are meeting schedule of the Colum Friends of the Columbia Gorge P.O. Box 40B20 protecting irreplaceable Gorge bia River Gorge Commission, Portland, Oregon 97204 resources, or whether the counties contact Kristin at (503) 241-3762 (503) 241-3762 are allowing the Gorge to be lost or [email protected] • one piece at a time. • r~riends News ...
Board News riends welcomes Dale Grams to 319 sw Washington St., #301 Four board. Dale lives in the Mt. Portland, Oregon 97204 Pleasant area of Skamania County and (503) 241-3762 is a volunteer for the local Fire E-mail: [email protected] Protection District. Friends' fearless http://www.focg.com/ hike leader Richard Getgen recently columbiagorge.html resigned from the board. Thanks to Richard for serving on the board and Mission Statement leading the Hiking Committee this Friends of the Columbia Gorge shall year. • vigorously protect the scenic, natural and cultural resources within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Friends Web Page is Moving! We fulfill this mission by ensuring strict hanks to Friends member and implementation of the National Scenic Area Act; promoting responsible stewardship of Textraordinary volunteer Ken Gorge lands and waters; encouraging public Sadler, Friends web site has been up ownership of sensitive areas; educating the and running. Now we are moving to: public about the unique natural values of the Columbia River Gorge and the importance of http://www.focg.com/columbiagorge.html preserving those values; and working with This site will be up and running in groups and individuals to accomplish mutual late October or early November. Look preservation goals. -Adopted February s, 1994 for updated reports on activities in the Board of Directors Columbia River Gorge, action alerts, John Reynolds, Chairman .ssues forum, volunteer opportunities, Nancy N. Russell, Chairman Emeritus and new and exciting photos. • Rick Ray*, Vice Chairman Michael P. Ryan, Treasurer This photo of Multnomah Falls, The Jeanne Norton, Secretary Friends Give 1902 Gifford Dalles, 7902, by Benjamin A. Gifford William Bell* Photo to Wasco Museum will hang in the Wasco County Broughton H. Bishop by Nancy Russell Historical museum. Bowen Blair, Jr. Ken Denis n the early 1980s Friends of the Spencer Dick Columbia Gorge was given a large New Book Explores Nick Dodge I Dale Grams• antique framed photograph of History of Gorge Act Sherry R. Grove• Multnomah Falls taken in 1902 by lanning a New West: The Elmer Lierman• famous Gorge photographer Benjamin PColumbia River Gorge National Kate McCarthy* A. Gifford (1859-1934). The photo is Scenic Area, by Carl Abbott, Sy Len Swenson• now on display at the reconstructed Adler, and Margery Post Abbott, * Gorge residents Gifford photographic studio in the takes a look at creation of the Staff Wasco County Historical museum. National Scenic Area. "The book Executive Director: Lauri Aunan* We were delighted to make this gives a good account of the Bookkeeper/Office Assistant: Helen Ehelebe important contribution to the complex history and politics around Land Use Counsel: Gary K. Kahn at Crate's Point - the interpretive passage of the Gorge Act and Conservation Director: Michael Lang center authorized in the Columbia development of the Management Development Assistant: Matthew Burke River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. Plan," said Friends Executive Receptionist/Clerk: Mama Moore Museum Director Dr. Carol A. Director Lauri Aunan, adding Outreach Director: Kristin Reese Mortland expressed her appreciation: "but is weak on recent politics, Legal Assistant: Ivan Lieben "This is a magnificent gift and a and in its discussion of the future * Gorge resident Nonderful addition to the Discovery of the Columbia Gorge given the Center and Museum. We greatly tremendous political and develop Newsletter Contributors appreciate your thoughtfulness and ment pressure the Gorge faces." Contributors: Lauri Aunan, Matt Burke, generosity." Interested readers can contact Ken Denis, Carmen Johnson, Michael Lang, Be s.ure to look for this photograph the Oregon State University Press Nancy Russell, Kristin Reese, Marie on your next visit to the Columbia at (541) 737-3166, to find out Steinberg Gorge Discovery Center. • where to obtain this book. • Editor and Layout: Kathleen Krushas Friends of the Columbia Gorge Non Profit r--... P.O. Box 40820 U.S. Postage 111ankYou Portland, Oregon 97240-0820 PAID Portland, OR For Your Spedal Address correction requested Permit No. 2623 Contributions and Tributes
In memory of john Eliot Allen Margaret Moss Allen James Holloway Deborah S. Snyder
In memory of jean Siddall James Holloway
In memory of Marcia Marks John Reynolds •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• J In memory of Nonie Vial McKenzie Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. Peterson
In memory of Donald McKinley Friends Wish List Percy Bauguess our donation of office R.V. Bauguess Yequipment will greatly help our Gorge protection Ron Bauguess work! Marguerite Fleetwood • Laser printer or bubble Jane McKinley-Chinn jet printer that can handle a large work load. (When you In memory of upgrade your existing Genevieve S. Meyers printer, think about donating your old printer to Friends!) Marian and Chester Beals • Computer and moni tor: 486 or preferably In memory of Eleanor Moore Pentium-133, 32MB RAM, Ann S. Tilden 1.2GB HD. With increased $12 $24 staff and workload, another $15 In memory of Irving Polonoff computer is greatly needed. 19") $18 Jesalee Fosterlin • Scanner: Twain ~:tnr.r;, and handling for each item. compliant (this works well 1 M. T. Winch ln/lrlmJafion, call Nancy Russell at with WP 6.1), color would be Marvin and Anita Witt nice. We have programmable fax software that is not being In honor of the used. A scanner would allow Items and sizes 50th Wedding Anniversary of us to utilize this important Ernie and Marsha Livingstone tool for outreach programs. - • Programmable Plain Ordered by: John and Phyllis Reynolds Paper Fax Machine. Address: Please call the office In honor of Marie Steinberg's before donating any equip Phone: birthday ment. Thanks for helping to expand Friends capacity to Please make check payable to:Friends of the Marilyn Grunbaum Columbia Gorge, P.O. Box 40820, Portland, OR increase our community 97240-0820 building efforts. •