PSU Magazine Spring 1995

The Tahoe effort was largely unsuccessful due to inadequate cooperation between California and Nevada. Persons drawing up the cenic Area legislation also thought the Tahoe plan was ineffective in stopping unwanted development, says Carl Abbott. A more agreeable example is the Pinelands Commission plan, which allows local governments to take on regulatory responsibi litie . As part of the Scenic Area's complex set-up, each county must approve ordinances that implement the management plan's goa l . To date, three counties (Multnomah and Wasco in Oregon and Skamania in Washington) have approved mandates. Washington's Klickitat and C lark countie have yet to apptove their ordinances, while Oregon's Hood River County is in the process of hammering out an acceptable mandate. In addition, the Scenic Area has been divided into three management areas. " pecial management areas" are Gorge lands located largely within national forest boundarie , where development is 8 PSU Magazine trictly limited. "General manage– ment areas" include a mixture of resource lands in mo tly private hand . Thirteen "urban areas" were exempted from the management plan. S o, how '' the Gmge pl•n wmk– --- ing? Adler and others see glaring weak- nesses. While federal money was provided for purchase of land within the special management areas (to preserve scenic qualities or provide recreation opportunities), no money was provided for purchase of general management area lands. That's led to conflicts with private property owners who are engaged in a variety of activitie on their lands. These property owners fee l hemmed in by regulations that don't permit new uses of the ir land, and they have limited option in elling, Adler explains. Jonathan Doherty, executive director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, said the issue of dealing with important land acqu isition in general management areas shou ld be addressed a the Scenic Area manage– ment plan comes up for review in 1996. "A number of plan amendments will be taking place," Doherty say . "The management plan i not something set in tone, contrary to many people's beliefs. Certain things were inadver– tently omitted from the plan, as in any plan. The plan is not perfect." Doherty believes the plan needs mechanisms for dea ling with situations in which regulation unexpectedly elimi– nate all economic u e of a property. Lack of clarity in thi area has led to lawsuit . Also, regulations need to clearly define temporary use in the cenic Area, such as filming movies in the area. "We have a laundry list of sma ll things to change," Doherty says. One of the biggest criticisms about the Scenic Area plan is its inability to en ure that agencie charged with managing the Scenic Area have enough money and staff to do so. Melissa Price, a member of the Skamania County Board ofCommis-