FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE

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

pres

ervi

ng sc

enic

are

as Most people considerpublic land in the Colum-

bia Gorge a given. We are ableto enjoy one of the most spec-tacular spring wildflower showsin the Gorge at Catherine Creek.We can walk and bike theHistoric Columbia River High-way from Hood River to Mosierthrough the famed Twin Tun-nels. We can watch migratingswans, ducks and geese at FranzLake and Steigerwald NationalWildlife Refuges.

Before 1986, all of the landsmentioned above were privatelyowned and not accessible to thepublic. It is difficult today toimagine that 17 years ago therewere virtually no public landseast of Hood River in the Gorge.Since the passage of the NationalScenic Area Act in 1986, morethan 35,000 acres of land havebeen purchased and brought intopublic ownership.

Land acquisition provides thepublic with recreational opportu-

nities, and also limits potentialdevelopment conflicts. The whimsof public agencies notwithstand-ing (see Executive Director’sletter, page 2), public ownershipprovides the most permanentform of land protection within theColumbia River Gorge NationalScenic Area.

Lewis & ClarkLandscapes Project

As we approach the Lewis &Clark Bicentennial Commemora-tion, perhaps the greatest legacywe can leave to the next genera-tion is the continued transfer oflands from willing private sellersinto public ownership. That’sexactly what the Friends’ Lewis &Clark Landscapes Project isdesigned to do.

With Friends’ encouragement,over the past two years the U.S.Forest Service has purchased morethan 1,600 acres of land. Oneparcel of particular significance isa likely Lewis & Clark campsiteadjacent to Major Creek inKlickitat County, Washington,across the Columbia River fromOregon’s Memaloose State Park.Other important purchases haveincluded the 300-acre ChenowethTable outside of The Dalles and 99acres along the Historic ColumbiaRiver Highway between Mosierand Rowena.

Special HolidayGift Insert

I N S I D EThis view of the Major Creek landscape, seen from the Memaloose State ParkOverlook along the Historic Columbia River Highway, has been preservedthrough a 2003 Forest Service acquisition in 2003. photo:Barbara Robinson

17 Years of ProtectiveLand Acquisition

Reshaping the Columbia Gorge

Fall 2003 Newsletter

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Executive Director’s Letter

In the early 1950s, concerned citizens, outraged over private logging alongside Gorge trailsand waterfalls, launched a campaign to “Save the Gorge.” The result of that effort was thepurchase, transfer and donation of thousands of acres of private land into public hands. It

also awakened the public to the fact that the Gorge’s beauty was not secure. Twenty-five yearslater, Gorge lovers banded together to push for a National Scenic Area. But the final bill thatcreated the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area contained a loophole allowing loggingto continue in the Gorge.

Fortunately, the first Forest Service manager of the National Scenic Area decided that federallands in the Gorge should be off limits to logging. Hebelieved the Forest Service must be held to thehighest standard in preserving the scenic and naturalresources of the Gorge. That standard has been heldunchallenged until now.

The Forest Service’s National Scenic Area office isnow considering weakening that standard andothers. Proposed rule changes could eliminate limitson the size of clearcuts on private and state lands.Further, they would allow logging on lands desig-nated “Open Space” if the primary purpose oflogging is not commercial (though of course one ofthe purposes could be commercial), and would liftthe Forest Service’s 17-year prohibition on commer-cial logging on publicly owned federal lands.

Timber interests will play the “forest health” card topromote these changes, and say that their commercialwindfall from this “forest health” effort is appropriate.We disagree. The Forest Service can conduct effectivethinning for the sake of the forest without a commercialmotivation. Their 2002 thinning project on Burdoin

Mountain which addressed the thick oak stands that presented a legitimate fire danger is a goodexample. Friends’ staff reviewed that project and was impressed with the commitment toprotect scenery and habitat while lessening fire danger. Had commercial interests been part ofthe equation, it would have been a very different story.

Commercial logging on state and private lands is already a problem in the Gorge, with clearcutsshaving the hillsides along the Pacific Crest Trail, a National Scenic Trail. To compound thissituation by allowing logging on federal lands strikes at the very heart of Gorge protection.

A half century ago, irresponsible logging in theGorge set the campaign for Gorge protection inmotion. It is ironic that today we are still hauntedby the ghosts of the past.

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

Kevin Gorman and Liz Bergeron, executive director ofthe Pacific Crest Trail Association, hiked the Pacific CrestTrail just north of the Bridge of the Gods, where arecent private-land clearcut straddles the trail.

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Citizen Involvement Update

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

picnic and enjoy the beauty of theGorge’s scenic vistas.

As invasive ivy and blackberrywere removed, some areas were re-planted with wild ginger, penstemon,Nootka roses, and other nativevegetation. Even small childrenhelped tend the young plants duringthis year’s unusually dry summer,carrying water to each of the carefullymulched starters.

Today, visitors at Bridal Veil aregreeted by a sign acknowledgingFriends’ volunteers, whose effortshave transformed the viewpoint.Even with plenty yet to be done, ourvolunteers have plenty of reason to beproud of their Bridal Veil success. ■

Great Success at Bridal Veil

Friends volunteers have madeamazing progress in our

stewardship efforts at Bridal VeilState Park. With help from youthgroups and workplace volunteers(REI, LaCrosse Footwear, etc.), ourstalwart team has transformed aviewpoint long obscured byinvasive species into a showplace.

Eighteen months ago, six-foothigh blackberry thickets on theupper loop trail completely blockedaccess to the bluff. Today, a mag-nificent, unobstructed view acrossthe river to Cape Horn welcomesvisitors. A path leads out to theviewing area, where sightseers can

Come out and volunteer!Stewardship projects are thesecond Saturday of every month,9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Directions to Bridal Veil fromPortland metro area: Take I-84 toExit 28 (Bridal Veil). Stay on the exitroad to the stop sign at the ScenicHighway. Turn right and continueone-half mile. Bridal Veil will be onyour right. ■

Stewardship activities are great team-builders for work groups, churchgroups, and community and youthorganizations. We can easily schedulea project to fit your calendar if yourgroup would like to help in the Gorge.Call 503-241-3762 x103 for details.

Children carefully tended newly plantednative species during the summer.Photo: Kevin Gorman

Invasive blackberry (above) completelychoked off this view of Cape Horn (left)from Bridal Veil State Park. Friends’volunteers have cleared the bluff ofblackberry and replanted with nativeplants.Photos: Diana Karabut

For more information, contact Betsy at 503-241-3762 x103,betsy@gorgefriends.org, or Cathy in ourHood River office, at 541-806-0438,cathy@gorgefriends.org. Checkwww.gorgefriends.org for the upcomingschedule. ■

After

BeforeHelping at Bridal Veil

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In the Courts and in the Field…By Nathan Baker, Staff Attorney, nathan@gorgefriends.organd Joanie Thomson, Field Organizer, joanie@gorgefriends.org

Conservation and Legal Program Highlights

Through the public commentprocess, the Gorge Commissionreceived many remarks opposingthat recommendation, and in factspeaking in support of maintain-ing or strengthening these protec-tions. Comments from Friends’members and other Gorge protec-tion activists combined withFriends’ diligent efforts to preventsome of the worst proposals frombeing adopted.

In the coming months, theCommission staff will prepare afinal draft of the revised Manage-ment Plan and present it to theGorge Commissioners for finaladoption. The final adoptionhearing will probably occur in thewinter of 2003. If adopted, therevised Plan will be forwarded tothe Secretary of Agriculture forconcurrence.

Once the “full package” ofPlan revisions is prepared, Friendswill carefully evaluate it forconsistency with the NationalScenic Area Act and will continueto participate in the public pro-cess. Continued public commentsurging strong protections duringthis process will be crucial.

Plan ReviewComing to a Close

The Columbia River GorgeCommission has finished the

preliminary stage of its first-everreview of the 1992 Columbia RiverGorge National Scenic AreaManagement Plan. But even as theGorge Commission winds downits review of the Plan, the ForestService has announced that it willreview a number of additionaltopics this fall.

Gorge CommissionConsiders Final TopicsOn October 14, the Commissionconsidered two final Plan Reviewissues: “uses allowed withoutreview” and a new “expeditedreview” process. Both of theseissues relate directly to cumula-tive impacts.

The Gorge Commission staff’sinitial report on these topicsproposed weakening many Gorgeprotections. For example, the staffproposed doubling the size of newbuildings allowed without anyreview, without regard to theirnumber, color, or location.

Friends’ email updates and alertswill keep timely informationflowing on these critical issues inthe coming months.

Increased Logging ThreatensSMA Resources

The Forest Service is currentlyreviewing portions of the Manage-ment Plan that protect the SpecialManagement Areas (SMAs). Muchof the review will focus on rulesthat protect SMA resources fromthe adverse effects of timberharvests.

Congress designated the SMAsfor special protections because oftheir unique and sensitive re-sources. Under the NationalScenic Area Act, the management,utilization, and disposal of timberwithin the SMAs must not harmscenic, natural, cultural, andrecreational resources. Accord-ingly, the Management Plancontains prescriptions for loggingdesigned to protect wildlife andplant habitat, scenic views, openspace lands, and other SMAresources.

The Forest Service could use itsreview to strengthen the Manage-ment Plan’s protections of theseimportant resources. However,most of the proposals underconsideration would actuallylower the standards and allow

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“The Gorge Commissionstaff’s initial report onthese topics proposed

weakening many Gorgeprotections.”

Weakened protectionsfor thousands of acresof forest land in theSpecial ManagementAreas (SMAs) wouldopen the door toincreased clearcuts likethis one in the NationalScenic Area.Photo: Friends of the ColumbiaGorge photo archives

5

Active citizen participation iscrucial to maintaining strong

Gorge protections. Friends staff inHood River is reaching out to encour-age citizen involvement, answeringquestions on key issues, researchinganswers if they are not readily avail-able, supporting citizens as theyengage in the complex issues relatedto the Gorge, and providing opportu-nities for action.

In late September, members of theGorge recreation community andother interested parties were invitedto a gathering at the Hood Riverhome of Friends board memberChristine Knowles. Friends founderNancy Russell presented backgroundinformation about the Scenic AreaAct. Executive Director KevinGorman outlined Friends’ efforts toexpand recreational opportunities inthe Gorge, pointing out Friends’programs and interests regardingoutdoor activities. The occasion alsopresented an opportunity for Friendsstaff to learn which issues and con-cerns are uppermost on Gorge resi-dents’ minds, whether recreationalopportunities, commercial develop-ment, or land use issues.

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

Friends’ effortsto promotestrategic publicland acquisitionhave been centralto expandingrecreationalopportunitiesthroughout theGorge. Manypopular publictrails, such asCatherine Creek,are the result ofFriends lobbyingCongress for landacquisition fundsand working withthe Forest Service and other groupsto support public ownership ofcritical landscapes.

Friends provides practical supportfor citizen activism and acts as avaluable resource for Gorge residentsand Gorge enthusiasts who aretaking action to keep the Gorgeliveable, accessible, and beautiful,today and tomorrow. For moreinformation, contact Joanie Thomsonand Tiffany Kenslow in Friends’Hood River office at 541-386-5268. ■

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

Friends’ Staff Engage Gorge Residents

increased logging at the expense ofGorge resources.

For example, one proposal wouldopen up lands zoned for open spaceprotection to new timber harvestsunder the guise of “forest health.”Another proposal would gut most ofthe forest protection standards andreplace them with a handbook of“optional guidelines.” Yet anotherproposal would undermine a recent

Friends court victory by exemptingforest practices from review any timea timber operator claims the land tobe logged would be used for agricul-ture at some later time.

The web address where ForestService proposals can be tracked atwww.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia. Oremail Friends’ Conservation DirectorMichael Lang for more information atmichael@gorgefriends.org. ■

Get connectedTo stay informed about Gorge issues,subscribe to our “Gorge Activities &Updates” email list. This is a great toolfor staying up-to-date on issues, and toconnect with Friends’ activities in theGorge. You can subscribe on ourwebsite at www.gorgefriends.org. Orpost Betsy at betsy@gorgefriends.orgto be added to the list. ■

Congressman Brian Baird (right) and anothercyclist enjoy a bike ride along the KlickitatTrail sponsored by Friends of the ColumbiaGorge and the Klickitat Trail Conservancy.Photo: Kevin Gorman

Take action now!Let the Forest Service know you

oppose any plans to weaken theSMA forest practices guidelines.

Direct your comments urgingstrong protections for forest lands inthe Special Management Areas to:

Daniel Harkenrider, Area ManagerColumbia River GorgeNational Scenic Area902 Wasco Avenue, Suite 200Hood River, OR, 97031

Or email your comments todharkenrider@fs.fed.us. ■

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Funding Gorge Protection

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

Friends’ Conservator PartyCelebrates the Gorge

More than 80 members ofthe Friends of theColumbia Gorge

conservancy, donors who make anannual gift of $1,000 or more,gathered for an early Octoberevening of great food and conver-sation at Friends’ annual Conser-vator Party.

The event was held at thehome of board member SpencerDick and his wife, Mary. Withperfect weather as a backdrop,members enjoyed the Dicks’beautiful gardens and celebratedour accomplishments of the pastyear.

Spencer Dick, a direct descen-dent of Henry Biddle, recountedthe story of Biddle purchasingBeacon Rock in 1915 to prevent itfrom being quarried for use as ajetty in Astoria.

An engineer, Henry Biddlebuilt the path that leads to the topof the monolith. When the Biddlefamily offered Beacon Rock to thestate of Washington for a park, thestate refused the gift. When thestate of Oregon stepped forwardto accept, Washington reconsid-ered and today Beacon Rock is alandmark destination for hikers,campers, and vacationers from allover the world.

Friends founder Nancy Russelldiscussed her personal preserva-tion efforts in the eastern Gorge,where she recently sold a 108-acreproperty near Lyle to the ForestService. Situated along MajorCreek, this land is consideredlikely to have been an actualLewis & Clark campsite. Over theyears, Nancy arranged removal of

two houses, several outbuildings,and a swimming pool from theproperty, and had the land re-contoured and planted to return itto a natural state before selling itinto public ownership. ■

Show off the Gorge!

Be sure to check our holidaygift brochure. Friends’ cloth-

ing items, calendars, books andCDs make great holiday gifts, soplace your right away. Additionalitems are available online throughour “Gorge Store,” atwww.gorgefriends.org. HappyHolidays, everyone! ■

Year ‘Round Giving

Your gift can support Friendsthroughout the year with a

monthly electronic funds transfer,or a convenient payroll deductionthrough Earth Share of Oregon.Check www.gorgefriends.org, orcall Ron Shoals at Earth Share ofOregon, 503-223-9015. ■

From left to right: Hosts Spencer and Mary Dick with guests Friends BoardMember Missy Ryan and Elizabeth Brooke at the Conservator Party.photo: Ken Denis

In MemoryLong-time Friends supportersConnie and Leroy Jensen bothpassed away during thecourse of this year and will bemissed by all of us. TheJensens knew the Gorgefirsthand as hikers and aslovers of its majestic land-scapes. Both of the Jensens leftlegacy gifts to Friends in theirwills. Their gifts will be put towork protecting the magnifi-cent place they loved so well.We are deeply grateful to theJensen family for all theirgenerous support. ■

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This good work is a tribute tothe expert land-acquisition staffassembled by the Forest Service.Just five years ago, the programwas stuck in the mud: plenty offunding, plenty of offers, but theForest Service could not completethe deals (see chart). That situationhas changed. Now the majorchallenge is funding.

The Clock Is Running OutProspects for federal funding to

support Gorge land acquisition in2004 are bleak. The currentPresident’s budget for next yearincludes only $1 million, despitethe U.S. Forest Service indicatingthat $15 million is needed toadequately protect the landscapes.

Many of the land offers to theForest Service are approaching athree-year deadline, further jeopar-dizing the efforts. If the ForestService does not make offers topurchase these lands within theallotted timeframe, zoning on theseparcels will be converted to allowincreased development. Withoutadequate funding to purchase theselands in the next appropriationcycle, many critical Gorge land-scapes will become opportunitiespermanently lost.

With the stakes so high, Friendsof the Columbia Gorge has taken anunprecedented step: we’ve enlistedthe assistance of former U.S.Senator Slade Gorton to help ussecure future federal funding toensure the protection of Gorgelands. Former Senator Gorton wasthe lawmaker behind the speciallegislation that opened up theopportunity for increased Gorgeland acquisition in 2000. In his roleas Chair of the Senate InteriorAppropriations Committee, he wasalso instrumental in securingmillions of dollars for Gorge landacquisition, including a record eightmillion in 1998. Gorton is now oneof the most influential advocates inthe Capitol and has good relation-

ships with key decision makers.We’re very pleased that he contin-ues to be committed to supportingland acquisition in the Gorge.

Your Membership LeveragedThough Friends of the Colum-

bia Gorge does not buy land orserve as a land trust, we recognizepublic acquisition as the mosteffective tool for protecting theGorge and we work aggressively toensure land purchases. In fact,membership dollars with Friendsare leveraged far beyond thetypical land trust. For example,$10,000 spent to lobby Congress forland acquisition funding can resultin millions of dollars for landacquisition coming to the Gorge.

Seventeen years of protectiveland acquisition have indeedreshaped how we view the Colum-bia Gorge. With diligence, thereshaping will continue, and ournational treasure will keep growingin its value to coming generations.

For more information, contactTiffany Kenslow at 541-386-5268 ortiffany@gorgefriends.org. Checkwww.lewisandclarklandscapes.orgfor maps and photos of the Lewis& Clark Landscapes. ■

17 Years(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

Nancy N. Russell, Chair EmeritaKen Denis, Vice Chair

Diana Karabut, SecretaryRick Ray*, Treasurer

Susan Garrett Crowley*, Member At-largeDick Springer, Member At-Large

Chris BeckWilliam Bell*

Broughton H. BishopBowen Blair, Jr.

North Cheatham*Spencer DickKim Gilmer

Karen JohnsonChristine Knowles*

John ReynoldsMissy Ryan

Roger Wendlick

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* Outdoor Programs CoordinatorJoanie Thomson* 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

Public acquisitions greatly increasedfollowing the 2001 legislation and arecommitment from the Forest Service tobuy land.

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GORGE LAND ACQUISITION

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

Return service requested

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPortland, OR

Permit No. 2623IN HONOR OF

SUE AND BRAD ZUKE

CHET & MARION BEALS

IN MEMORY OF

LEROY JENSEN

PHOEBE DEGREE

DORIS JEAN JENSEN

IN MEMORY OF

LEROY AND CONNIE JENSEN

ED AND DEBI JENSEN

IN MEMORY OF

HELENE VAN BUREN

EVANS VAN BUREN

MASON VAN BUREN

Thank Youfor your

special contributions

Birds in the Gorge

In late fall, hikers and backpackers have headed indoors,and windsurfers are migrating south to Baja, California.It’s the perfect season to delight in the winged migration

flying into the Gorge for the winter.November is peak time to see tundra swans return to Franz

Lake across the Columbia River from Horsetail Falls. Furthereast, the area between Catherine Creek and Dallesport fillswith practically countless numbers of birds. Last year’s LyleChristmas Bird Count (12/15/02) identified 105species and more than 8,300 individual birds onthat day, including:

• 64 Western Grebes, 3 Belted Kingfishers,and 15 Western Meadowlarks at CatherineCreek;

• 5 Golden Eagles, 2 Northern Pygmy Owls,and 8 Red Crossbills at Silvas Creek (a tributaryof the Klickitat River);

• 273 American Wigeons, 2 AmericanKestrels and 5 Hooded Mergansers at Rowena.

With this year’s hardy acorns, bird countleader Bob Hansen believes the 2003 ChristmasBird Counts in the Gorge will break the recordfor Lewis’ Woodpecker sightings. To get involved, contact BobHansen at 509-365-2404 or bobhansen@gorge.net, or visithttp://community.gorge.net/birding/. ■

Know Your Gorge

Captain Meriwether Lewis described the bird indetail in his journal on May 27, 1806, writing,“this bird is about the Size of the lark wood-pecker or the turtle dove, though’ it’s wings arelonger than either of these birds. the beak isblack, one inch long, reather wide at the base,Somewhat cirved, and Sharply pointed; thechaps are of equal length. around the bace of thebeak including the eye and a Small part of thethroat is of a crimson red.”

A bumper crop ofacorns may drawrecord numbers ofLewis’ Woodpeckersto Klickitat County inDecember.Photos: Robert B. Forbes/Audubon Society of Portland