The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area was created in 1986 by a "Scenic Act"that was signed by President Reagan.  The purpose was to protect the scenic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of the Gorge.  Thirteen "Urban Areas" were created which include: Cascade Locks, Hood River, Mosier, and The Dalles in Oregon  and North Bonneville, Stevenson, Carson, Home Valley, White Salmon, Bingen, Lyle, Dallesport, and Wishram in Washington. In these urban areas people do not need to notify the Gorge Commission when they want to build or develop property. For development in all other areas protected by the Scenic Area you must make application to the Gorge Commission following the guidelines for location, paint color, vegetative screening, etc. A home to be built must be approved by the Gorge Commission on how it will impact things such as "Key Viewing Areas". It is often a lengthy process and is typically the first step a person must take if they want to build in an area outside of the "Urban Areas". Some areas are strictly prohibited from ever being developed. You can learn more about the National Scenic Area at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/forest/ and Gorge Commission at http://www.gorgecommission.org/

Here are some scenic gorge pictures of left to right: The view from Rowena Crest, Multnomah Falls, Looking toward Wind Mtn from Stevenson, Bottom-left to right: Skamania County Forest, Looking east on the Columbia, Rowena Crest Hiking Trail