1997 RESOLUTIONS
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1997 FWOC Resolution
No. 4:
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PROTECTION FOR THE COLUMBIA GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC
AREA AND RESTORATION OF GORGE COMMISSION FUNDING
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| The eighty-mile long
Columbia
River Gorge was formed when one of the world's greatest rivers, the
Columbia, cut through one of the world's greatest mountain ranges, the
Cascades. It is one of our country's scenic treasures, and was so
recognized by Congress, when it passed the Columbia Gorge Scenic Act in
1986. This law has given protection to thousands of acres of
fragile and scenic lands which otherwise would have been developed, and
has provided a welcome stimulus to the economy of the Gorge
counties. However, much of the Gorge land area is still privately
owned, and is under heavy pressure from developers and their political
allies. Land use inside the Scenic Area is regulated by the
Columbia Gorge Commission, set up by the 1986 Act, which must approve
all applications for new development. |
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| Unfortunately, the
membership of the Commission is weighted in favor of the developers at
the present time. Those in the legislatures of Washington and
Oregon, who oppose any environmental regulations at all, are
drastically cutting its funding support, thus rendering its functioning
even more difficult. Last year, the Washington legislature voted
a 70% reduction in funds, and the Oregon legislature voted a 40% cut. |
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs reaffirms its support for maximum protection of the
scenic treasurers of the Columbia River Gorge and calls upon the
governors of Washington and Oregon to appoint persons to the Commission
who are more sensitive to and supportive of environmental values.
FWOC urges the governors and legislatures of both states to consider
the adverse consequences of a weakened Commission, to be aware of the
great public support for Gorge protection and to restore and increase
the funding of the Columbia Gorge Commission. |
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| F.W.O.C. urges member clubs and members
to send this resolution to the governors and state legislators of
Washington and Oregon. |
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