Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - fs.fed.us · PDF fileColumbia River Gorge National...

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Oregon Washington

Gifford Pinchot and Mt Hood

National Forests

Oregon Cong. Dist.: 2, 3 Member(s): Walden, Blumenauer Washington Cong. Dist.: 3, 4 Member(s): Herrera-Beutler, Hastings

Location Purpose Purchase Opportunities Partners

Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River and adjacent uplands stretching from 15 miles east of the Portland/Vancouver Metropolitan Area (population over two million) east 83 miles to the Deschutes River. Conserve and enhance significant scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA). Three land trusts and three private landowners are offering to sell diverse tracts of land situated in Special Management Areas of Klickitat, Skamania, and Wasco Counties, including the second phase of an acquisition from The Trust for Public Land. The Trust for Public Land, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Columbia Land Trust

Acquired to Date Method Acres Cost ($) Purchase 19,206 $62,085,254 Exchange 17,032 0 Donation 600 0 Other 2,294 0 Partners 970 Unknown

President’s Budget FY2011 Method Acres Cost ($) Purchase 250 $850,000

President’s Budget FY2012 Method Acres Cost ($) Purchase 171 $1,230,000

Pending Future Request Method Acres Cost ($) Purchase 470 $3,300,000

Supporters

Local county support, Columbia River Gorge Commission, Cape Horn Conservancy, Western Trail Association, numerous recreation and hiking clubs, WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, WA State Parks, The Nature Conservancy

Project Description

Characterized by dramatic, black basalt cliffs towering up to 4,000 feet above the river, the Columbia River Gorge contains an exceptional combination of spectacular vistas, unsurpassed recreation opportunities, multicultural history, profuse wildflowers, and geologic formations. The historic 1915-era Columbia River Highway is the gateway to the region. Over 70 waterfalls tumble from the glaciers and snowfields of Mount Hood, including Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the U.S. and a top tourist attraction in the State of Oregon. Geology and climatic conditions combine to create complex plant communities with many rare and endangered species. The proximity to large urban centers, natural beauty, and exceptional recreation opportunities—including numerous hiking trails, mountain biking, camping, boating, fishing, photography, rock climbing, white water rafting, and world-class windsurfing and kite boarding—attract four to five million visitors each year. The Columbia River Gorge is a national treasure recognized by Congress in 1986 with passage of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, which designated Special Management Areas to aid in the protection of highly sensitive resources. It is these vulnerable areas that are the focus of land acquisition efforts. In 2009 National Geographic Society’s annual Destination Stewardship surveys ranked the Columbia River Gorge #2 nationally and #10 internationally among 133 international tourist destinations for sustainable destinations. The proposed FY 2012 acquisitions would preserve wetland and riparian features in the arid eastern portion of the Gorge, including what is believed to be a “kolk” pond created during the prehistoric Missoula floods; disappearing oak woodlands and western pond turtles (state sensitive species list); habitat for Mid-Columbia steelhead and western gray squirrels (state threatened species list); and an important wildlife corridor, while ensuring access to a popular hot spring on NFS land.

O&M Cost Estimated “start up” costs: $40,000 Estimated “annual” maintenance: $0 Strategic Goal Conserve open space; enhance rural prosperity; sustain forest health, resilience, diversity and

productivity; protect critical watersheds, fisheries and wildlife habitat; provide access and quality outdoor recreation opportunities.

Forest Service

Columbia River Gorge NSA Supplement

Purchase Status Acres Est. Cost

Purchases planned for FY 2011*

Major Creek, phase 2 159 $247,000

Twain 13 $120,000

Aldrich Butte 80 $430,000

Purchases planned for FY 2012

Rowena Bluff 10 $400,000

Dancing Rock 65 $330,000

Rowena Dell Road 61 $500,000

Kapp 65 $450,000

Miles 30 $250,000

Carson Hot Springs 74 $300,000 *Based on President’s Budget Request for FY 2011

On the Washington side of the Columbia River in the eastern arid portion of the Gorge lie the Dancing Rock tracts with riparian features that are rare in this area: a spring-fed perennial creek, a small wetland, and a year-round spring-fed pond at least 20 feet deep. The pond is believed to be a “kolk” pond created during the prehistoric Missoula Floods that cut the steep, dramatic walls of the Columbia River Gorge. The tracts lie adjacent to other NFS land and Indian Trust Lands. Acquisition of these tracts would secure access to the adjacent NFS land. The parcel was permitted for construction of a single family residence when acquired by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge with the intent of conveying the land to the U.S.

The Rowena Bluff and Rowena Dell Road tracts lie on the Oregon side of the Columbia River at the east side of the Gorge where the moist coniferous forests of the Cascades transition to the arid grasslands of the Columbia Plateau providing habitat diversity. The Rowena area is known for spectacular early spring wildflower displays and supports oak woodlands that provide outstanding wildlife habitat, but are threatened with loss and degradation throughout Oregon. The Rowena Bluff tract features sweeping views of the Columbia River and habitat for one of two species of disappearing native Oregon turtles. The western pond turtle is listed as critical on the State’s sensitive species list. Adjacent to Memaloose State Park to the north and other National Forest System lands to the east and south, this tract is currently the site of a single family residence which is accessed across NFS land. Friends of the Columbia Gorge are removing the structure and will convey the property as bare land. The nearby the Rowena Dell Road tracts are zoned for single family residences and Friends of the Columbia Gorge have offered to convey the land at a discounted price.

The Miles tract lies across the Columbia River to the north in the Major Creek drainage, an important wildlife corridor between the River and uplands above the sheer cliffs known as the Gorge Walls. Major Creek supports runs of Mid-Columbia steelhead. It borders the tract to the northeast and other NFS lands are adjacent to the west. Pine/oak associations are declining and considered high priority habitat. Western gray squirrels, listed as threatened in Washington State, are found in the area. Pine nuts and acorns are critical food sources.

The highly scenic Kapp tract lies between Wind Mountain and Dog Mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia River in an area known as the Collins Point Landslide, which is active today. The undulating topography has created numerous ponds and wetlands. These provide habitat for the western pond turtle. Two perennial creeks and important oak woodlands provide deer and elk winter range. The riparian areas have been degraded due to the presence of a house, outbuildings and other infrastructure. If acquired, the structures would be removed and the site restored. Other NFS lands are adjacent to the west and east.

The Carson Hot Springs tract on the Washington side of the Columbia River is bordered by NFS lands on three sides and the anadromous Wind River to the south. An existing primitive trail leads to a hot spring on adjacent NFS land. Acquisition of the tract would alleviate conflict between landowners and the public, allow for construction of safer access, and result in other management efficiencies.

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State of WashingtonForest Service Region 6


Map Creation Date - 01/10/2011Map Revision Date -

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Rowena Bluff Acquisition

FY 2012 LWCFThis map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.

The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.

Township 2 North, Range 12 East, Williamette M

LegendAdministrative Forest BoundaryProposed Acquisition ParcelsNational Forest System Lands

Vicinity Map

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Rowena Bluff Acquisition

Map 6 of 6

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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Dancing Rock Acquisition





Vicinity Map

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Dancing Rock Acquisition

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State of OregonForest Service Region 6



Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Rowena Dell Rd Acquisition





Vicinity Map

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaFOG / Rowena Dell Rd Acquisition

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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaKapp AcquisitionFY 2012 LWCF

This map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.


¹Township 3 North, Range 9 East, Williamette M

LegendAdministrative Forest BoundaryNational Forest System LandsProposed Acquisition Parcels

Vicinity Map

Kapp Acquisition

Map 5 of 6

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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaMiles AcquistionFY 2012 LWCF

This map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.




Vicinity Map

Miles Acquistion

Map 4 of 6

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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaCarson Hot Springs Acquisition





Vicinity Map

Carson Hot Springs Acquisition

Map 2 of 6

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Land and Water Conservation Fund Request FY2012

Major Creek Drainage

Cedar Falls below Aldrich Butte

Kolk Pond with Mt. Hood View – Dancing Rock Parcel

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - fs.fed.us · PDF fileColumbia River Gorge National...

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