Sustainable Energy and a Clean Environment

All counties of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area administer land use policies set forth by the Gorge Commission, with the exception of Klickitat County. (The Commission implements these policies for Klickitat County.) The Commission reviews county-approved plans for development to ensure consistency with the National Scenic Area Act (NSA) and Management Plan. Citizens may appeal county land-use decisions to the Commission, which acts as a quasi-judicial body by reviewing the facts of the case and rendering a final decision. The Vital Signs Indicators Project (VSI) measures and tracks the conditions of the scenic, natural, economic, cultural, and recreational resources in the NSA. Monitoring guides adaptive management and provides empirical information to inform management plan review and implementation. The Commission also reviews federal monies dispensed by Oregon and Washington investment boards in the form of economic development loans and grants.