Among the funding commitments made by Congress when it created the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in 1985 were money to buy additional land from willing owners and money for economic development of Gorge communities in both Washington and Oregon.
It’s time for the federal government to return to keeping those promises. Congratulations to the Portland-based Friends of the Columbia Gorge for turning up the heat on the feds, and for directing that heat directly at the White House. A recent letter from the Friends — signed by 11 members of the Northwest congressional delegation — urges President Barack Obama to mark the 25th anniversary (in 2011) of the scenic area creation by restoring full funding of those commitments.
The lone member of the delegation not among the letter’s signatories was U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, who said in a written statement that he would’ve signed the letter if he had seen it, but the letter was not presented to him by his staff.
Baird, a longtime supporter of Gorge funding and programs, says he joins the 11 others in putting pressure on the president. Previously, Baird led legislative efforts to designate the Gorge’s Upper White Salmon River as a Wild and Scenic River, and he has supported economic development and land preservation programs in the Gorge.
Since Congress authorized funding of land acquisition in the Gorge, more than 38,000 acres have been added to the public property there. The money comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and buying the properties fulfills many public needs. This program helps protect scenic views, fish and wildlife habitat, cultural sites and public recreation.
Last year, the U.S. Forest Service, which administers federal land in the Gorge, received no funding from Congress to purchase Gorge properties, although several high-priority parcels are on the Friends’ list. The letter from four Northwest senators and seven House members was sent to Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget. It urges the president to set aside $1.5 million in the 2011 budget to buy Gorge land.
An even greater impact could be felt if the feds kept their promises to stimulate economic development in Gorge communities. The 1986 act authorizes $10 million per budget for such purposes, divided evenly between Oregon and Washington. Only a combined $8.1 million has been appropriated this year, and the Friends’ letter urges calls for “the President’s budget to reflect the continued need in the Gorge and include this important grant funding.” As Kathie Durbin reported in Thursday’s Columbian, that funding is one of the primary goals of the bistate Columbia River Gorge Commission, which also is pursuing $5.5 million for recreation planning that the 1986 act authorized for the Forest Service, but which has not been appropriated.
We understand that times are tough for everyone, including the federal government. But the need to protect and enhance the Columbia River Gorge is stronger than ever. Environmental stewardship becomes no less urgent during a recession than it is during prosperity. The Friends of the Columbia Gorge (www.gorgefriends.org) and the Columbia River Gorge Commission (www.gorgecommission.org) understand their stewardship duties. President Obama should make sure he shares that full understanding.
