NSA Ordinance awaits U.S. Secretary of Agriculture approval

Amendments to Hood River County’s National Scenic Area Ordinance were approved by the Board of Commissioners last fall. To prepare, Community Development worked on ordinance changes to align with recent revisions to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. The County Planning Commission reviewed and recommended the draft amended ordinance for Board approval and a public hearing was held in November.

The Gorge Commission unanimously approved County Ordinance #373 on March 8, reflecting County Zoning Ordinance Article 75 updates. The Ordinance in now being evaluated by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for agreement with the National Scenic Area Act and is expected to be completed around June.

Hood River County’s National Scenic Area Ordinance was first adopted in 1996, and the most recent changes represents the third amendment to the Article. If interested in Hood River County’s most recent amendments to the National Scenic Ordinance, review this document.

More information about the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area can be found at: gorgecommission.org.