Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
WASHINGTON and
OREGON
Location
Multiple National Forests
15 miles east of Portland and stretching 83
miles east to the Deschutes River
Purpose
To protect and enhance values for which it
was designated—significant scenic, cultural,
recreational, and natural resources within the
Gorge.
Congressional District: Multiple
Member(s): Rep. Brian Baird, Doc
Hastings, Greg Walden, and Earl
Blumenhauer
Acquired to Date
Acres
Cost ($)
19,246
$64,243,565
17,032
$0
600
$0
2,294
$0
970
Unknown
FY 2010 Enacted
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
0
$0
President’s Budget FY2011
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
350
$850,000
Pending Future Request
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
210
$500,000
Method
Purchase
Exchange
Donation
Other
Partners
Purchase
Opportunities
Phased purchase option from The Trust for
Public Land for 160 acres. Two other land
trusts and two private parties have also
offered to sell land to the United States.
Partners
The Trust for Public Land, Friends of the
Columbia Gorge Land Trust, and Columbia
Land Trust
Cooperators
Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust,
Columbia Land Trust, Friends of the Gorge, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Washington Department of Natural Resources, Columbia River Gorge Commission, Sierra
Club, The Nature Conservancy, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Cape Horn Conservancy,
local county support, and numerous recreation and hiking clubs.
Project
Description
The Columbia River Gorge, just east of the Portland Metropolitan Area and home to nearly
two million people, is a national treasure recognized by Congress in 1986 with passage of
the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. The Act 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.
Characterized by dramatic, black basalt cliffs towering 4,000 feet above the river, the
Columbia River Gorge contains an exceptional combination of spectacular vistas,
unsurpassed recreation opportunities, multicultural history, and abundant natural
resources. Over 70 waterfalls tumble from the glaciers and snowfields of Mt 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. Proximity to large
urban centers, natural beauty, and recreation opportunities—including hiking, mountain
biking, camping, boating, fishing, rock climbing, white water rafting, world-class
windsurfing and kite boarding—attract four to five million visitors each year.
Properties available for acquisition include:

Major Creek Phase II ($247,000 - 159 acres). The acquisition will complete a
significant effort in partnership with the TPL to acquire important lands in this area.
The remaining two parcels are comprised of steep canyon topography bisected by
tributaries of Major Creek. One is heavily forested with a perennial creek and ½ mile
of riparian vegetation, while the other is heavy to oak and other dry site vegetation.
Acquisition will consolidate boundaries, expand protection of Major Creek tributaries,
maintain a diversity of habitats, and simplify landownership for the recreating public.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Western Pacific Timber Parcel, Major Creek ($343,000 - 278 acres). These parcels
are located in the East Fork Major Creek drainage. Approximately 171 acres are
inside the NSA boundary and have a designation of Special Management Area (SMA)
Open Space; the remaining 108 acres are outside the NSA boundary. Approximately
½ mile of the East Fork Major Creek flows through the western parcel. Its steep,
timbered canyon walls also embrace three separate tributary creeks and an additional
¾ miles of riparian habitat. This is a key acquisition for connectivity to existing
National Forest System (NFS) land, and will reduce NFS landownership boundary.

Miles parcel, Major Creek ($ 250,000 - 30 acres). The property is located in the lower
Major Creek drainage zoned Open Space. It is comprised of high priority pine/oak
habitat in which fir has been moving into the area at the expense of the oak.
Acquisition would enable stand treatment to take the stand back to the native pine/oak
mix. Approximately 1,800 feet of Major Creek forms the eastern boundary of the
parcel and would provide access to the creek bed for management and monitoring. It
is also a readily definable boundary as compared to the current stair step boundary.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge parcel, Aldrich Butte ($ 350,000 - 80 acres). This
parcel has long been a priority acquisition for the NSA. It is comprised of steep
forested slopes bisected by Cedar Creek. Aldrich Falls, also known as Cedar Falls, is
on the property. Public lands surround the property (80 percent NFS land, 20 percent
Beacon Rock State Park). It is partially visible from several Key Viewing Areas (Hwy.
14, I-84, Columbia River). Acquisition would eliminate the need to reopen the one road
providing legal access to the parcel. This 1800’s era road is located on NFS land very
near ponds and other sensitive habitats. Reopening this road has the clear potential to
degrade these resources.

Columbia Land Trust parcel, Cape Horn ($ 160,000 - 13 acres). Approximately 25 miles
from Vancouver, WA, the Columbia Land Trust currently has a conservation easement
and a purchase option on a parcel that sits in a key location for the proposed Cape
Horn Trail. A County Park-and-Ride across the street would serve as a parking lot and
trail access point. Use of this parking facility would be at no cost to the Forest Service
and would eliminate the need for Forest Service planning and construction of a
trailhead facility for the Cape Horn Trail. This parcel adjoins NFS land to the south and
west, county road to the east, and private land to the north. There are two small
wetlands near the south boundary of this parcel.
O&M Cost
Estimated “start up” costs: $5,000
USDA Goal
Maintain diverse habitats, sustain a congressionally designated area, conserve open
space, and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
Estimated annual maintenance: $1,500