Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Protecting the Gorge Since 1980 Spring 2011 Newsletter

Inside: Support Public Land Acquisition Page 2

25 Years of Gorge Protection Page 4

Energy Development Challenges the Gorge Page 8 A spectacular view from upper Catherine Creek, on public land Friends of the Columbia Gorge protected by the U.S. Forest Service. Photo: Don Jacobson ©Donjacobsonphoto.com

Founder Nancy Russell, 1932-2008

Bo a r d o f Di r e c t o r s Maria Hall Ch a i r Keith Brown* Vi c e Ch a i r Karen Johnson Se c r e ta ry /Tr e a s u r e r Rick Ray* At-l a r g e Me m b e r Cynthia Winter* At-l a r g e Me m b e r Charlie Webster At-l a r g e Me m b e r Chris Beck Broughton H. Bishop Ken Denis Bob Hansen* Eric Lichtenthaler* Robert Matteri Aubrey Russell Pat Wall Mark Waller Polly Wood* Public Lands Funding Fr i e n d s o f t h e Co l u m b i a Go r g e La n d T r u s t very year, more land in the Columbia Gorge, along with our allies Bo a r d o f T r u s t e e s National and supporters, is fighting to ensure Aubrey Russell Pr e s i d e n t Scenic Area is protected thanks to Congressional support for LWCF. To date, Bob Hansen* Se c r e ta ry /Tr e a s u r e r Ethe federal Land and Water Conservation we have sent 1,400 letters to Congress Jim Desmond Dustin Klinger Fund (LWCF). This program provides urging full support of the program. Christine Knowles* funds for state and federal agencies to We applaud ’s Senator Ron Rick Ray* acquire land from willing sellers for parks Wyden for defending LWCF during budget and trails, fish and wildlife, and to ensure negotiations. Senator Wyden’s eloquent St a f f Nathan Baker St a f f At t o r n e y that significant national landscapes are letter to Senate leadership emphasized Justin Carroll Gr a n t s & Co n t e n t Sp e c i a l i s t preserved for future generations. “America’s long bi-partisan tradition of Peter Cornelison* Fi e l d Re p r e s e n tat i v e Many iconic Columbia Gorge protecting land and water for people Anna Gilbert Co n s e r v a t i o n Or g a n i z e r Kevin Gorman Ex e c u t i v e Di r e c t o r landscapes have been protected with and nature.” Maegan Jossy Ou t d o o r Pr o g r a ms Co o r d i n a t o r LWCF funds, including Cape Horn, Franz Please take action! Contact your Michael Lang Co n s e r v a t i o n Di r e c t o r Lake, Table Mountain, Catherine Creek, Congressional delegates today (see below) Marilyn Lipko De v e l o pm e n t Ass i s ta n t Tom McCall Point, Memaloose Hills, and to urge full support of LWCF. Tell them Kate McBride* La n d Tr u s t Ma n a g e r Rick Till Co n s e r v a t i o n Le g a l Adv o c a t e Burdoin Mountain. that LWCF funds are vital to securing Sandy Wright De v e l o pm e n t Di r e c t o r During this 25th-anniversary year permanent protection for treasured * Gorge area residents of the Scenic Area Act, Friends of the landscapes in the Columbia River Gorge.

Ad d i t i o n a l Su p p o r t Legal Counsel: Gary Kahn Newsletter Design: Kathy Fors and Citizen action makes the difference! Your actions for Gorge Kathleen Krushas / To the Point Publications protection are crucial to our success. Contact your Senators and Representatives using the Publications Editor: Betsy Toll information below, or check www.senate.gov or www.house.gov for other offices. Po r t l a n d Of f i c e Oregon Washington 522 SW Fifth Avenue, #720, Portland, OR 97204 Sen. Ron Wyden, (202) 224-5244 Sen. Patty Murray, (202) 224-2621 (503) 241-3762 http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/ http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Go r g e Of f i c e Sen. Jeff Merkley, (202) 224-3753 Sen. Maria Cantwell, (202) 224-3441 205 Oak Street, #17, Hood River, OR 97031 [email protected] http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/ (541) 386-5268 Rep. David Wu, (202) 225-0855 Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler, (202) 225-3536 Rep. Earl Blumenauer, (202) 225-4811 Rep. Norm Dicks, (202) 225-5916 Rep. Doc Hastings, (202) 225-5816 Rep. Greg Walden, (202) 225-6730 Rep. Jay Inslee (202) 225-6311 Rep. Peter DeFazio, (202) 225-6416 Email your Congressional Representative by Rep. Kurt Schrader, (202) 225-5711 logging on to www.house.gov/writerep/ Link to us on Twitter and Facebook Cover photo: Looking north from Oregon, Hood River Mountain rises on the left, with Burdoin 2 from our website: www.gorgefriends.org Mountain mid-ground, below Mount Adams. Photo: James Holloway

Photo: Peter Cornelison Director’s Letter

obody loved buying land in the Scenic Area, this issue of our newsletter Gorge, or talking about buying is dedicated to the public land acquisition land in the Gorge, more than efforts that have shaped, and in some NFriends founder Nancy Russell. places saved, the Gorge. Subdivisions have In the last decades of her life, Nancy been stopped, recreation opportunities purchased thirty-three Gorge properties, created, and habitat preserved. Thanks to from small wooded parcels in the west these purchases, many of the jaw-dropping to expansive open-range pieces further landscapes the Gorge is famous for have east. She sold eleven of those properties remained unspoiled. to public agencies, then bought more land with the proceeds and donated the “I’m cheap with During that same time, however, we remaining lands to Friends of the Columbia have also seen more than 1,000 new houses Gorge Land Trust. everything but land!” built, along with increasing proposals for Nancy was a frugal person by nature. – Nancy Russell commercial and industrial development. She rarely took vacations and was perfectly Those two powerful forces in the content with the same car, same clothes In the past twenty-five years, Gorge – protection and development – and same home for decades. But when it incremental and cumulative efforts by will race headlong into the next quarter came to buying land in the Gorge, her Nancy Russell, the Trust for Public century, competing for the last of the passion overrode frugality. Land purchases Land, the U.S. Forest Service, and other Gorge’s undeveloped, unprotected lands. could save the Gorge, so what would she conservation buyers have protected more How that race ends depends on all of us. rather do? Like a parent who will do than 40,000 acres in the Gorge. Visualize anything to save their child, Nancy was Portland’s expansive Forest Park, and then willing to do anything to save the Gorge. multiply it eight-fold. That’s how much Celebrating the 25th-anniversary year Gorge land has been protected by land Kevin Gorman of the Columbia River Gorge National acquisition in the last quarter century. Executive Director [email protected]

Nancy Russell hiking at Friends of the Memaloose in 2005. Columbia Gorge Photo: Aubrey Russell works to ensure that the beautiful and wild Columbia Gorge remains a place apart, an unspoiled treasure for generations to come.

3 Looking southwest from Memaloose hills. Photo: Jim Chase

How Land Acquisition Saved the Columbia Gorge

Kevin Gorman, Executive Director, [email protected]

hen President Reagan Since that time, more than 40,000 Setting the stage signed the Columbia River acres have been acquired by public agencies. As Friends of the Columbia Gorge began Gorge National Scenic Area These purchases have preserved iconic pushing for protective federal legislation in the Wlegislation in November 1986, his signature landscapes, habitat corridors for flora early 1980s, the need to include a strong land set in motion a chain reaction still playing and fauna, and Native American cultural acquisition component in the Gorge legislation out in the Columbia Gorge today. The sites. Multiple acquisitions have resulted was hotly debated. Friends was certain that Scenic Act established the Columbia River in restoration of the Historic Columbia a land-use zoning overlay would not stop Gorge Commission with a mandate to create River Highway as well as new recreation development threats, it would only manage a Gorge-wide land use plan. Restoration of opportunities at Catherine Creek, Cape them, and not always effectively. Opponents of the Historic Columbia River Highway was a Horn, and Dalles Mountain. In fact, more acquisition argued that the federal government priority, and initial funding was also written than half of the 80-plus annual hikes led by would pursue condemnation of land via into law to develop what would eventually Friends of the Columbia Gorge are in areas eminent domain and the Gorge would soon go become Skamania Lodge and the Columbia that were not open to the pubic in 1986. the way of Appalachia. Gorge Discovery Center. The National Scenic Area Act set the Friends founder and board chair Nancy But the stroke of Reagan’s pen also wheels in motion, but the legislation was Russell understood the value of public triggered what may well be the most tangible, just a starting point. Getting from that point acquisition and began working with the Trust measurable benefit of the Columbia River to where we are today required vision, for Public Land (TPL), a national land trust Gorge National Scenic Area Act: the purchase courage, and dedicated persistence from that sells land to public agencies and then of land from willing sellers into public countless individuals, organizations, and uses the proceeds to buy more land to be ownership for conservation purposes. public agencies. protected. Anticipating the federal legislation,

4 Over the next 25 years, public land acquisition will continue to play a pivotal role in Gorge protection.

Nancy and Bruce Russell provided TPL a $300,000 no-interest loan to purchase important properties in the Gorge. The Meyer Memorial Trust then stepped up with a no-interest $600,000 revolving loan fund, which would eventually help leverage more Waterfalls at Catherine Creek. Photo: Greg Lief / Liefphotos.com than $35 million in acquisitions. At that early point, the Scenic Area Act had not yet passed, but at Nancy’s urging Senator Mark Hatfield was an eyesore for miles around, and the Forest TPL used those funds to buy twelve of the In October 1986, with strong support Service listed it as a priority acquisition. Friends sixteen Rim View Estates lots being sold for from Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, supported the acquisition, although some local development at Cape Horn. That purchase Congress passed the Columbia River Gorge conservationists were opposed, as they felt the effectively blocked the proposed Rim View National Scenic Area Act. Over the next property had no habitat value. Estates subdivision high above the river. fifteen years, the Trust for Public Land would After purchase and a long clean-up process, Eventually, the Forest Service purchased purchase nearly 100 properties totaling more in 2004 the Forest Service opened public access those parcels from TPL, and today that land than 17,000 acres. Today, almost all that land to that property, now known as the Balfour is a signature part of the Cape Horn trail. is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Klickitat Day Use Area. Today, the property is Trust for Public Land never could have the wintering site of the largest concentration done its outstanding work without Senator of bald eagles within a 100-mile radius of the Hatfield’s support. As chair of the powerful Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Honoring Nancy Russell Senate Appropriations Committee, Hatfield was pivotal in ensuring that important Gorge Looking ahead This August, Friends will dedicate lands could be purchased. Over the next 25 years, public land an overlook at Cape Horn in honor of acquisition will continue to play a pivotal role Nancy Russell (see page 7), sited on The U.S. Forest Service in Gorge protection. While large purchases were the one Rim View Estates subdivision The U.S. Forest Service worked with crucial in the first quarter century, key “must lot that was actually developed TPL on many of its early purchases, but also have” properties are needed in the with a cliff-top house. In 2006, worked directly with landowners to secure coming years to ensure perpetual habitat Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Gorge lands. A great example is the Starr corridors for wildlife and connections for new Trust purchased that property and property, just west of the Klickitat River. trails for future generations. Our next newsletter dismantled and removed the house. This property, complete with a gravel pit, will detail Friends’ vision and our next steps to junked cars, and even a pen with buffalo, help make that happen.

The Subdivisions That Never Were Proposal Where Acreage Outcome Prior to passage of the Columbia River 1981 – Rim View Estates Top of Cape Horn 45 Purchased by Trust for Public 16-lot subdivision Land, part of Cape Horn Trail Gorge National Scenic Area Act, Friends (U.S. Forest Service) of the Columbia Gorge worked with the 1982 – Rizor Across from 60 Purchased by Trust for Public Trust for Public Land using litigation, 24-lot subdivision Land, now Forest Service land advocacy, and eventually land acquisition 1983 – Hidden Harbor Across from 78 Purchased by Trust for Public to stop three subdivision proposals that 83-lot subdivision Horsetail Falls Land, now Sams Walker Day Use would have dramatically altered the Area (Forest Service) Gorge landscapes we know today. 5 Land Trust This hand-tinted photo of Beacon Rock was taken on or near property now owned by Friends’ land trust. Scenic photos such as this spurred the rush for development in the Columbia Gorge. Silver gelatin photo: Clarence L. Winter, circa 1916

Beacon Rock

“Ancient Subdivision” Land Now Protected

Kate McBride, Land Trust Manager, [email protected]

t barely more than an acre and a designated the area that had been slated for

half, the property owned by Friends the subdivision as a “geohazard” zone, due to I-84 of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust its potential for landslides. The designation Ain the Dodson-Warrendale area is our proved prophetic in February 1996, when smallest property. But despite its size, this heavy rains and significant warming caused parcel looms large in the story of the Gorge massive mudslides in the area. A nearby development rush that occurred 100 years house was swept away in the slide, finally ago and revived itself over the past decade. coming to rest just a few hundred yards During the early 1900s, construction on from Interstate 84, where its broken frame the Historic Columbia River Highway was still lies atilt today. Hash marks show protected land surrounding land underway, triggering plans for subdivisions Nearly 100 years after the Ellahurst trust property (in red) across from Beacon Rock. and development on both sides of the Gorge. subdivision was planned, the property Map: Created by Kate McBride One of the largest proposals slated for was still zoned for residential purposes, the Oregon side was called the “Ellahurst carrying the risk that it could be logged any possibility that the Ellahurst “ancient subdivision,” renowned for its stunning and developed. In 2005, Friends founder subdivision” would ever be developed. location directly across from Beacon Rock, Nancy Russell bought the 1.6-acre parcel Across the river in Washington, plans to which the developers touted in their that had been coveted for development, and develop several lots within another “ancient promotional materials. bequeathed the property to Friends of the subdivision” are currently in litigation. The Ellahurst project was envisioned Columbia Gorge Land Trust. Friends of the Columbia Gorge is helping right along the Columbia River Highway, In 2009, the Forest Service bought the defend Skamania County’s and the Gorge between the base of the Gorge face and remaining parcels of Ellahurst land. Nancy’s Commission’s rejection of this unlawful the river. Fortunately it never got off the acquisition, combined with the Forest development plan. We will report on it ground, and eventually Multnomah County Service’s purchase, effectively stopped further in a future newsletter.

66 Gorge View Bed & Breakfast Outreach and Activities

Peter Cornelison, Field Representative, [email protected]

indsurfer Pat Frodel opened Pat and Ann actively support Photo: Peter Cornelison Gorge View Bed & Breakfast in Gorge community life. Ann is now in WHood River in 1985, and since her second term on the Hood River then, windsurfing stars like Robbie Naish, City Council and serves as chair Nevin Sayre, and Peter Cabrinha have of the Waterfront Community Park been regular guests. Association. Over the years, both In 1988, Pat’s life changed when a Ann and Pat have written letters to lovely guest named Ann Van Dlac came support protection of the wild and to Gorge View. Ann and Pat were married scenic Gorge. in 1991, and Ann has helped the Gorge “People have to remain vigilant Gorge View’s Ann Frodel. View, a 1917 Edwardian home, evolve and do our part to preserve what we from a “garage-sale-meets-Animal- love,” said Ann recently. “The National Gorge’s exceptional beauty is the heart of the House” establishment into a welcoming Scenic Act that protects the Gorge also Gorge experience for guests that come from accommodation where guests enjoy fresh contributes to the tourist economy.” around the country to Gorge View B&B. See Gorge produce in their breakfast fare. Ann and Pat Frodel know that the www.gorgeview.com for more information.

A New Face at Friends Nancy Russell Overlook at Cape Horn his spring, Friends welcomed Anna Gilbert as Tour new conservation organizer. With strong his spring, a flurry of activity at the top of Cape Horn will complete environmental outreach and campaign experience, Anna Tsite preparation for the Nancy Russell Overlook. Nancy was most recently served as field director for Bob Stacey’s inspired by the stunning views along the Cape Horn Ridge, and she was campaign for Metro President. She loves spending time determined that those views would always be open to the public. In in the wilderness and wide-open spaces, from working 1984, to ensure that public access would be protected, Nancy helped in Glacier National Park to biking cross-country from the Trust for Public Land purchase twelve of the sixteen plots lining that Florida to California. spectacular bluff, blocking development of a housing subdivision. Since her first visit to Oregon, Anna has been Nearly thirty years later, with the land on the Cape Horn bluff in inspired by the unique balance of Forest Service ownership, a 6.8-mile public trail has been completed. On breathtaking beauty and robust August 13, we will celebrate the dedication of this overlook in honor of small communities along the Nancy Russell’s vision. Columbia River. She is thrilled

Photo: Justin Carroll to be an advocate for Gorge View from Cape Horn. protection, and we’re delighted to Photo: James Holloway have her on board.

Stewardship Dates at Cape Horn Join us on National Trails Day, June 4, to work on the path connecting the Cape Horn trail to the new overlook. In July and October we will remove invasive species and replant native plants in the overlook area. To register for these stewardship events, visit www.gorgefriends.org/hikes. More information about Cape Horn and Friends’ campaign to protect it is on our website at www.gorgefriends.org/ campaignforcapehorn. A rendering of the Nancy Russell Overlook, which will be dedicated at Cape Horn later this year. Sketch: Courtesy of Walker Macy 7 Legal and Conservation

Wind Energy Projects Threaten Gorge Resources

Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney, [email protected] Michael Lang, Conservation Director, [email protected]

he past five years have brought an development has transformed wide swaths of Scenic Area Act prohibits new explosion of energy development landscape from agriculture and open space industrial uses, including large-scale in the Pacific Northwest, fueled to industrial development. commercial energy development, on Tby increasing energy needs, particularly in Although wind energy is an important General Management Area and Special California, along with state mandates to resource for reducing dependence on fossil Management Area lands. However, high- increase reliance on renewable energy to fuels and related environmental impacts, elevation ridges lining the boundaries of meet these needs. poorly sited wind projects can cause their the National Scenic Area are attractive The most visible evidence of this surge own serious environmental problems and to wind energy developers because of in energy development is in the eastern negative community impacts. In some favorable winds and proximity to high Columbia River Gorge, where hundreds of locations, wind projects have been known voltage transmission lines. wind turbines are visible on the Columbia to kill birds and bats by the thousands, In the past five years, three large Hills in Washington and in Sherman mar scenic landscapes, and interfere with wind energy projects have been proposed County, Oregon. In the span of just a few surrounding land uses. along the boundaries of the National years’ time, this unprecedented scale of The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Each of these projects

More than half of the proposed Whistling Ridge turbines would be highly visible from the Gorge, with blades whose turning diameters exceed the length of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.

The SDS Whistling Ridge proposal would line the middle ridge seen here from Nestor Peak with a massive turbine development. Photo: © Chris Carvalho / Lensjoy.com

Developer’s simulation of the projected visual impact of the Whistling Ridge Energy Project as seen from I-84 east of Hood River. Photo: GeoDataScape, Inc. 8 Little is known about species diversity at the project site, yet SDS has never surveyed for birds during key migratory periods at the Whistling Ridge site.

If developed, the 1,152-acre SDS Whistling Ridge Project would permanently convert wildlife habitat into an industrial landscape. It is one of the A northern spotted owl first Northwest wind projects proposed is known to be nesting in forested habitat. Little is known about near the proposed SDS species diversity at the project site, yet wind turbine site. SDS has never surveyed for birds during Photo: Courtesy of Cacophony key migratory periods at the Whistling / Creative Commons Ridge site. Further, the SDS project site is located within a Northern Spotted threatened scenic landscapes and wildlife. from designated “key viewing areas” in Owl Special Emphasis Area, a forested If this trend were to continue, the eastern the Gorge. Portions of the project were area formally designated to ensure the and central Scenic Area could be bordered to be located within the Scenic Area, survival of this critically imperiled with rows of 425-foot-high turbines, like where industrial uses are prohibited. Local species. Wildlife biologists have recently an enormous white picket fence with opposition and regulatory barriers caused determined that there is an active spotted spinning blades and flashing lights. the proponents to abandon the project two owl nest near the project site. In 2006, Cannon Power proposed years later. Ironically, the benefits of the approximately 200 turbines north and east More recently, SDS Lumber Company Whistling Ridge Project to the people of the National Scenic Area in Klickitat has proposed the Whistling Ridge of the Pacific Northwest – other than County to meet energy needs in California. Project, which would consist of up to fifty financial benefit to SDS’s owners and In reviewing the project, Friends became turbines, each 426 feet tall, on forested employees – would be slim to none. concerned that the westernmost portion of ridgelines bordering the National Scenic The total energy capacity for Whistling the development, located on the boundary Area. Located west of the White Salmon Ridge is projected to be only seventy- of the National Scenic Area, would River, more than half of the proposed five megawatts or less, a relatively small impair scenic landscapes and harm bird turbines would be highly visible from amount of power that would most likely populations, particularly raptors. Friends the Gorge, with blades whose turning be distributed to California. appealed the approval of the project and diameters exceed the length of a Boeing Ultimately, the decision whether to then worked with the developer to lessen 747 jumbo jet. To address these and allow the Whistling Ridge Project lies in the project’s adverse impacts. other scenic impacts, the U.S. Forest the hands of Washington Governor Chris In 2007, a Massachusetts-based Service, the National Park Service, and Gregoire and BPA Administrator Steve developer proposed the Cascade Wind the State of Washington’s Counsel for Wright. Friends and our allies will be project, which would have placed forty- the Environment have all recommended encouraging these leaders to protect our two turbines on the boundary of the substantial modifications to the project. national heritage and counting on them to National Scenic Area west of The Dalles. SDS, however, has refused to incorporate uphold the public interest by denying the The project would have been highly visible these recommendations. Whistling Ridge Project. 9 Development Senator Mark Hatfield and Nancy Russell (on screen) were featured in a Sandy Wright, Development Director presentation by Bowen Blair (at podium) at Friends’ Annual Meeting. [email protected]

Annual Meeting Highlights 25th Anniversary of the

National Scenic Area Photo: Justin Carroll

ore than 260 people turned out again, small miracles allowed it to move to to Gorge communities. Renee Tkach, for Friends’ 31st Annual Meeting forward. Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, then our previous outdoor program and Luncheon at Skamania Lodge head of the powerful Senate Appropriations coordinator, is returning to Friends to Min April. Board Chair Bob Hansen welcomed Committee, played a significant role in its lead this new program. Stay tuned for new members and saluted staff, volunteers, passage, as did Friends founder Nancy Russell. more on Gorge Towns to Trails. donors, and everyone who has taken action Michael Lang, Friends’conservation Thanks to our Annual Meeting for Gorge protection, which included director since 1993, followed up with an virtually everyone in the room. analysis of the Scenic Act’s impact over sponsor, Ferguson Wellman, and to Bowen Blair, executive director at the past twenty-five years, using aerial Chocolat Lily for providing sweets. Friends from 1982 to 1988, related the photography to show how urban sprawl has dramatic and moving story of the battle to been halted, but also how clear-cut logging enact the Columbia River Gorge National and cumulative development effects continue Scenic Area Act in 1986. The Scenic Act to harm the Gorge. was the only stand-alone environmental Kevin Gorman, executive director since Chocolat Lily legislation passed during the Reagan era. All 1998, announced the new “Gorge Towns to Chocolat Lily Organic Chocolates odds were stacked against it, but time and Trails” program, a vision for trails connected Organic Chocolates Anne Pattison Chocolatier

503.246.8459 [email protected] Poet’s shooting Donor Spotlight: stars. Anne Pattison Chocolatier Photo: Angie Moore Marion Kelly Special Gifts in honor503.246.8459 of Bob Hansen [email protected] Oldfield January 11, 2011 – April 20, 2011 in honor of Maegan Jossy in honor of Debbie Asakawa April and Bob Jossy In 2005, at Friends’ Annual Meeting, Kevin Gorman Barbara and John Degenhardt announced the $4.5 million Norman Yeon bequest to Friends John Gale and Dr. Sandra Joos in honor of Dee Kiest and the creation of Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Michael and Nancy Phillips Sylvia Griswold Chris and Jan Sokol Trust. After the meeting, longtime member Marion Kelley Cullen Ware in honor of Tom Russell approached Kevin to express her enthusiasm for Friends’ Nancy and Stephen Russell excellent work and to notify him that she would be in honor of Nathan Baker naming Friends in her will. She was thrilled Jeremy Emmi in honor of Tom and Tauna Tattam to be making a gift that would create an Bill and Sara Tattam in honor of Carolyn Baker-Clark enduring legacy. Sadly, Marion passed away Nola Borland in memory of Dr. Robert E. Becker earlier this year but, true to her word, she made Winifred McGuire Becker a final bequest to Friends. We will remember in honor of Beth Copeland Marion10 as we carry out our work on her behalf. Bruce and Becky Copeland Featured Hike: 25 Trails, 25 Years: Larch Mountain, OR Hike the Top 25 Gorge Trails Join Friends in celebrating the National Scenic Moderate: 6 mile loop, 1,100-ft elev. gain Area’s 25th anniversary! It’s a challenge to hike the Top 25 Trails in the Gorge this year before October 31. Maegan Jossy, Outdoor Program Coordinator [email protected] Join a Friends-guided hike or hit the trails on your own. Friends members who complete all 25 trails will be entered he six-mile loop trail at Larch in a drawing for our grand prize: two nights, plus Sunday Mountain crater offers an brunch or dinner buffet, for two at Skamania invigorating hike through pristine Lodge! All Friends members who hike even one Told-growth forest, passing a marshy trail will receive a 25th anniversary stainless meadow full of shooting stars, marsh steel water bottle. marigolds, and other wildflowers in late spring. Join us for a fantastic sunset hike on June 22 as the setting sun casts a rosy glow on the Gorge. One of the many views from the top of Larch Mountain. No larch trees grace this peak, but Photo: Scott Weber plenty of fine old firs fill the forest. An easy hike option is the quarter-mile stroll from the parking area to Sherrard Point, for views of several splendid mountains. Trails notes and info are online at www.gorgefriends.org/hikes.

Directions: From I-84 take Exit #22/Corbett and proceed up the hill two miles. Turn left on the Historic Columbia River Highway for two miles. Take the right fork up Larch Mountain Road and continue fourteen miles to the trailhead at the turnaround. Note: Larch Mtn. Road is closed November through mid-May, depending on weather, and is gated halfway down the mountain.

in memory of Mary Carson Brodie in memory of John Irwin in memory of Hazel Seavey in memory of Matt Winthrop Helen Dalton Janice Dutton Michael Kepler Timothy Brown and Sharlene Nicholas and Kathryn Dodge Wendy and Robert Newby Carlson Brown in memory of Barbara M. Miller Cassandra Ruth Cline in memory of Mary and Laird Brodie James Miller Candice and Charlie Tucker Carlton Olson in memory of Lennart Swensen Jeannie and Arthur Waldman in memory of Cathy Oswald Kristina Holvik Hans and Kathleen West in memory of Bruce Cannady Andrea Ardley Bateman Funeral Home in memory of Susan Wagor Joseph and Jody Brown in memory of Jeanne McGill Norton Anne Emmett Glenda and Galen Buterbaugh Marie V. Hall Mark and Shanna Fortner Marna and Cliff Moore Bruce and Dorothy Hedman Robert and Kay Pendleton Save the Date! Catherine Skelton Gary and Deborah Rhoades Margaret Venator Parviz and Maudie Samiee Friends Annual Picnic Lee and Janet Tornquist July 31, Noon – 3:30 p.m. in memory of Ned Hayes Diana Baird More details coming soon. 11 Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID Ridgefield, WA Permit No. 94 Friends of the Columbia Gorge P.O. Box 40820 Portland, Oregon 97240-0820

Know Your Gorge: Then and Now

he Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was apparent that much of the farmland and open space outside the established by Congress in 1986, and celebrates its 25th boundary to the west has been overtaken by subdivisions, pushing Tanniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, our right to the edge of the protected National Scenic Area. quarterly newsletters are providing windows to the past, from the Friends of the Columbia Gorge was created in part as 1860s up to the present. a response to the construction of the I-205 bridge. With The aerial images seen below highlight changes over the past completion of the bridge in 1982, it was obvious that, left sixteen years at the western boundary of the Columbia River Gorge unchecked, suburban sprawl would rapidly overrun the small National Scenic Area in Clark County, Washington. communities of Troutdale, Oregon, and Camas and Washougal, On the Oregon side of the river, dramatic differences between Washington. Unrestricted development would push relentlessly the urban and rural landscapes at the Scenic Area boundary at eastward into the Gorge. the Sandy River have been unmistakable for years. Across the The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act could Columbia in Washington, the delineation has been less distinct. Yet not prevent the explosive growth of development that has paved very gradually, over the past decade and a half, a similar striking over open spaces west of the Scenic Area boundary on both demarcation has developed there, near Washougal. sides of the river. But the Scenic Act has clearly held the line and In the 1995 photo, Clark County’s farmlands are prevalent on protected the incomparable beauty of the landscapes within the both sides of the National Scenic Area boundary. But by 2011, it is Columbia River Gorge.

National Scenic Area Boundary, 1995 National Scenic Area Boundary, 2011

Increasing development in Clark County presses up to the Scenic Area boundary. The circled area (left, 1995) highlights undeveloped farm and forest lands. By 2011 (right), nearly all of that land has been overtaken by suburban development. Maps: Friends of the Columbia Gorge Archives