By JEANIE SENIOR
Correspondent, The Oregonian

STEVENSON, Wash. The Skamania
County Commission should put into place a
moratorium on all development in unincor-
porated areas of the county until a zoning ordi-
nance is adopted there, the Oregon and Wash
Ington Columbia River Gorge commissions said
Tuesday.

In a discussion sharply critical of the coun-
- or lack thereof
ty's land-use controls
gorge commissioners told their executive direc-

for, Jeffrey Breckel, to deliver the strongly
worded recommendation in person to county
commissioners.

Gorge commissioners unanimously voted.
for the moratorium after a discussion of George
Rizor's 21-lot Columbia Gorge Riverfront Es-

tates, across the river from Multnomah Falls.
But they also directed that the recommendation
be attached to their comments on two other
proposed subdivisions in the county, the 78-
unit Columbia Harbor development at Ska-

however, when the planning commission rec-
ommended approval of the development to the
county commission.

"How can they possibly pretend they are
going to ask us for our input and then totally
ignore everything we ask them to do?" Oregon
Gorge Commissioner Nani Warren said.

Dick Adlard and Clarence Irwin, both
Washington gorge commissioners, noted that
although the county's planning commission
chairman had asked that priority staff time be
directed toward work on the county's yet-to-

be-completed zoning ordinance, county planner
Robert Lee had said that was impossible
cause of the pressures of land developers.

to a major flaw in the county's comprehensiv
plan. "I can't think of a single exception excer
maybe a roller coaster that isn't listed here.
said Warren, scanning the list of permitted use
in a rural one area. "Is there anybody who ca
tell me what wouldn't be allowed in R-1?"

"A slaughterhouse?" suggested Washingto:
Commissioner Enid Crawford. R-1 is a rura
residential zone.

"Nope," Warren said, pointing to the "in-
dustry (light-heavy)" entry.

Smith said that although one small six-unit
development might not by itself make consic
beerable impact, placement of a group of half
acre lots in an area that now is predominantly
in 3- to 5-acre parcels quickly could lead t
further development "until you have the equiv
alent of Beaverton density in a very, very criti
cal place in the gorge."

"We need the numbers here to say we want
to get that zoning done and table the subdivi-
sions," said Lois Jemtegard, a planning com-
missioner who was present at the gorge meet-
ing.

Discussing the proposed Constant Oak sub-
division at Underwood, commissioners pointed

Senator EVANS. Thank you.

Michael Frome.

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL FROME, VISITING ASSOCIATE

PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

Mr. FROME. Senator Evans, I have been to many congressional hearings over a period of 30 years as a journalist and as a witness in behalf of environmental causes. But, I can't remember one that was conducted by a Senator who was more judicious, considerate, patient, or perceptive than you have been today.

[Applause.]

Mr. FROME. May the spirit of fairness which you exemplify pervade and prevail.

As a citizen who comes from some distance across the State line of Idaho, I find it gratifying that Congress should turn attention at last to the fate and future of this fabled landscape of forests, waterfalls, and rugged outcrops that all the country and all the world identify as the Columbia River Gorge. Yes, a great many people elsewhere in America are interested in what transpires here today. The Columbia River Gorge is a matter of national interest and national concern. As the National Park Service in its study of this region reported:

The Columbia River Gorge has outstanding scenic values that have pushed for national recognition for many years. The Columbia River Gorge is a major open space and recreation resource. The significance of the site is national in scope and deserves recognition for its attributes.

Here today I've heard the Federal Government criticized, but not the principle of Federal lands. Public lands enrich the West. Nobody says sell the Olympics, sell Mt. Rainier, sell the North Cascades. Nobody says sell the national forests. From all I hear, Washington is proud to have the Gifford Pinchot National Forest named for a great conservation hero. In Idaho, where I live now, the people have rejected the principle of privatization. They want to be sagebrush rebels, but they don't want to sell our Federal lands, as evidenced by the rejection of that proposal by our distinguished States rights, local rights, private rights, senior Senator, Jim McClure.

For these reasons, I support legislation assigning the U.S. Forest Service full responsibility for administering and protecting the Columbia River Gorge, and I wish to associate myself with the proposal made by Governor Straub. The Forest Service has long been a key presence in the gorge. It is staffed with trained, professional personnel. I've talked with the Chief of the Forest Service, Max Peterson, a man I respect and admire, who expressed his personal interest in the future of the area, and told me last week that he will be here early next month for an on-the-ground inspection of the Columbia River Gorge.

The Forest Service is a multiple-use agency, but recreation is certain to became one of the primary uses of national forests in the Northwest, particularly with the continuing decline of the timber industry here.

In Idaho we already have the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, two outstanding

national forest units, which clearly are forerunners of more to come. The Forest Service has shown its competency in dealing fairly and constructively with private landowners and local jurisdictions. I feel it will meet the challenge and opportunity on the Columbia River.

Yes, there must always be provision for public input and involvement. Such provision is fundamental to efficient government. But, somebody has to be in charge. State and local authority, with all credit to them, are simply inadequate for the large-scale responsibility.

With this hearing as a foundation, I hope that Congress will proceed to chart a clear course to give this choice treasure the care, attention, and management it deserves. Let us leave a record of pride rather than of regret by which history will judge our stewardship of the land.

Thank you.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Frome follows:]

Testimony of Michael Frome
Visiting Associate Professor
University of Idaho

Before a U.S. Senate Subcommittee
Stevenson, WA, November 8, 1984

It is gratifying to see Congress turning attention at last to the fate and future of the Columbia River Gorge. This magnificent landscape of forests, waterfalls and rugged rock outcrops in the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range cries out for attention and protection, not only from the people of Oregon and Washington, whose daily lives are enriched by its presence, but from all America. As the National Park Service in its recreation study of this region has reported, "The Columbia River Gorge has outstanding scenic values that have pushed for national recognition for many years. The Columbia River Gorge is a major open space and recreation resource. .The Gorge is basically the greatest water gap in the United States. The significance of the site is national in

scope and deserves recognition for its attributes."

I support legislation assigning the U.S. Forest Service full responsibility for administering and protecting the Columbia River Gorge. The Forest Service has long been a key presence in the Gorge. It is staffed with trained professional personnel. The Chief of the Forest Service, Max Peterson, has expressed his personal interst in the future of the area and has committed himself to an on-the-ground inspection early in December.

The Forest Service is a multiple-use agency, but recreation is destined to become one of the primary uses of national forests in the Northwest. In Idaho, we already have the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, two outstanding national forest units which clearly are forerunners of more to come. In Idaho, as elsewhere, the Forest Service has shown its competency in dealing fairly and constructively with private landowners and local jurisdictions. On this basis I feel it will meet the challenge and opportunity here on the Columbia River.

I agree that there must always be provision for public input and involvement. Such provision is fundamental to efficient government. But somebody has to be in charge. State and local authority, with all credit to them, are simply inadequate for the large-scale responsibility. With this hearing as a foundation, I hope that Congress will proceed to chart a clear course to give this choice treasure of nature the care, attention and management it deserves. Let us leave a record of pride, rather than regret, by which history will judge our time on earth.

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