Washington House Vote Threatens Funding for Columbia River Gorge Commission
From Friends of the Columbia Gorge:
By Renée Tkach
Columbia River Gorge, Wash., April 4, 2025 — The Columbia River Gorge Commission, the agency responsible for managing and protecting the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (National Scenic Area), faces an existential threat after the Washington State House voted to eliminate all state funding for the agency.
This move violates legal commitments Washington has under its bi-state compact with Oregon, which requires both states to fund the Gorge Commission equally.
Until this week, the Washington House and Senate budgets closely matched and were aligned with Oregon’s budget proposal, ensuring continued operation of the Commission. However, the newly passed Washington House budget defunds the Commission entirely, jeopardizing critical conservation efforts and economic initiatives in the National Scenic Area. The State of Washington is legally obligated to fund the Commission under the Columbia River Gorge Compact, which is a binding contract, an interstate compact, and state law all rolled into one.
Like other Washington state agencies, the Gorge Commission has already taken a mandatory budget reduction for 2025-2027. But under the bi-state compact, any reduction from Washington triggers an equal cut from Oregon, doubling the impact and severely threatening the Commission’s ability to function.
“The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most unique, stunning, and ecologically significant landscapes in the country, supporting 13 vibrant communities,” said Renée Tkach, conservation director at Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “Defunding the Commission would leave these communities and vital conservation efforts without the coordination and oversight that have protected the Gorge for nearly four decades.”
The Gorge Commission plays a crucial role in protecting natural areas as well as working farms and forests while balancing sustainable economic development. The Commission relies on general fund appropriations from both Washington and Oregon to implement the Management Plan for the National Scenic Area.
The Commission’s budget request for 2025-2027 is a modest $2.2 million from each state—representing just .0063% of Washington’s state budget—an essential investment in managing the largest and most complex National Scenic Area in the country, which spans 85 miles of the Columbia River and covers 292,500 acres of forests, agricultural lands, and recreation areas.
Next Steps in the Budget Process
The Washington House and Senate must now work together to finalize the budget. The final negotiated budget must be passed by Sunday, April 27. Lawmakers still have time to reinstate funding and honor Washington’s legacy of environmental conservation leadership.
###
About the Columbia River Gorge Commission
The Columbia River Gorge Commission was established in 1987 to oversee land-use planning and conservation within the National Scenic Area. The 13-member Commission includes representatives appointed by the Governors of Oregon and Washington, county officials, and a non-voting representative from the U.S. Forest Service.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was designated by Congress in 1986 to preserve the region’s scenic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources while supporting economic vitality. More than three million visitors come to the Gorge each year, making it one of the Pacific Northwest’s most treasured landscapes.
About Friends of the Columbia Gorge
With over 4,500 members, Friends of the Columbia Gorge is the only conservation organization exclusively dedicated to protecting, preserving, and stewarding the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area for future generations. Friends maintains offices in Hood River and Portland, Oregon, as well as Washougal, Washington. Learn more at gorgefriends.org.
Support Local News!
Available for Everyone; Funded by Readers.
