Planning

Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan

The Management Plan establishes the primary management direction for the Scenic Area, providing a framework for what we do and where it is done. All other plans tier to the management plan. 

• Management Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Columbia River Gorge Commission website) 
• The Scenic Area Management plan is undergoing a periodic review process. Submit your input to Gorge2020.

Monitoring Reports

Monitoring reports document our management activities and accomplishments while comparing these actions to the Management Plan direction, as well as projected outputs.

• CRGNSA 2006 Monitoring Report (.pdf)
• CRGNSA 2007-2008 Vital Signs Indicators Project (.pdf)

Wild and Scenic River Management Plans

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for future generations. US Forest Service at Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area manages two Wild and Scenic Rivers in Washington the Klickitat and White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers.

• Lower Klickitat River Wild and Scenic Management Plan (.pdf)
• Lower White Salmon River Wild and Scenic Management Plan (.pdf)

Land and Resource Management Plans

• Mt Hood and Gifford Pinchot National Forest Plans also apply to Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Interagency Recreation Management Strategy

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a world renowned recreation destination for a multitude of outdoor activities. The popularity and diversity of recreation activities continues to grow through the promotion of tourism and a general increase in awareness. The demand for access to Gorge landscapes has increased, while the funding available for recreation planning, management, maintenance, and staff support has decreased.

The following report was prepared by an interagency team of recreation managers to assist public agencies in understanding the current state of recreation demand and land management capacity in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The report identifies several management strategies recommended as an interim solution until a more involved regional public planning effort is completed. The strategies contained in this report are working strategies, developed specifically to address the current needs and concerns of resource and recreation managers.  

• Interagency Recreation Team; Recreation Report and Recommended Interim Strategies Nov. 2014 (.pdf)
• Supporting documents: 
  • Columbia River Gorge Meta-Analysis: A Spatial and Temporal Examination of Outdoor Recreation, Feb. 2013 (.pdf)
  • Columbia River Gorge National Sceninc Area Consolidated Recreation Site Data, Dec. 2014 (.xlsx)

Travel Analysis

The U.S. Forest Service completed a travel analysis report outlining existing road systems and identifying opportunities to achieve a more sustainable system of roads for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

This travel analysis report is part of nationwide requirement involving national forests across the country.

• Travel Analysis Report for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (2003) (.pdf)   
  • Appendix A: Map of Roads Likely Needed & Not Needed
  • Appendix B: List of Roads Likely Not Needed
• 2015 Addendum to the 2003 Travel Analysis Report for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (.pdf)
• Forest Service Publishes Region’s Travel Analysis Reports 12/16/2015 News Release
• Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Analysis (.pdf)

Recreation Facility Analysis

Find out about the inventory, evaluation, and planning for recreation sites: what sites will be maintained and at what level.