Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan Disaster Recovery Amendments now available for public comment

“We appreciate the partnership with the Columbia River Gorge Commission as we work together to address citizen identified needs,” said Community Development Director Kelly Howsley-Glover. “Amendments have been drafted to be flexible, and take into consideration best available data on recovery realities.”

Wasco County will be hosting two community information sessions to share the proposed amendments. The first information session is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. at the Steve Kramer Board Room, 401 E Third St., The Dalles. The session will include staff presentations, and the opportunity for one-on-one discussions.

A virtual option will be available. A second information session is scheduled for the same location and time on Nov. 6.

Columbia River Gorge Commission staff will be hosting a Klickitat County information session on Oct. 6 from 6-7 p.m. at the Lyle Community Center, 308 Klickitat St.

Revisions include clearly identifying one-for-one replacement as an expedited permit, allowing up to 10 years from the incident to permit and rebuild, increasing size thresholds to accommodate new manufacturing and building standards, and permits for temporary uses including storage structures and manufactured or RV home use. Staff have prepared some materials to help walk citizens through the proposal. Handouts and the revision text can be viewed on the Columbia River Gorge Commission’s website, www.gorgecommission.org.

Columbia River Gorge Commission Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowski said, “The Gorge Commission recognizes the profound challenges our communities have faced in the wake of repeated wildfires. We are grateful to work alongside Wasco County and the Forest Service in making the recovery process more responsive and supportive for landowners rebuilding their lives.”

Wasco County is urging citizens to show their support for the Plan Amendment request. The community’s voice is vital in this process.

How to provide comments

The Commission requires all written materials to be submitted no later than Oct. 22. Email comments to:PublicComment@Gorgecommission.org; subject line: Plan Amendment Request for Disaster Recovery Comment.

For questions about how to provide comments, contact Howsley-Glover at 541-506-2560 or kellyg@co.wasco.or.us, Wolniakowski at 509-713-9623 or krystyna.wolniakowski@gorgecommission.org or Casey Gatz, USDA Forest Service, at 503-319-1300 or casey.gatz@usda.gov.