Oregon Public Broadcasting

A group of Columbia Gorge residents, businesses, and conservation groups is appealing a decision to allow a destination resort near White Salmon.  Pete Springer reports.

The appeal is a challenge to the Columbia Gorge Commission's amended management plan approved last spring. 

The plan would allow a destination resort at a site owned by Broughton Lumber Company, just west of White Salmon.

The site contains several crumbling buildings that formerly housed a lumber mill.

Michael Lang is conservation director with Friends of the Columbia Gorge, one of the groups that filed the appeal.

Michael Lang: “Most of the appellants are Gorge residents and landowners that own property around the proposed site, or use the adjacent state park for windsurfing.  It violates federal law and that’s why we appealed it.”

Broughton Lumber officials say the resort would bring much needed economic development to the area.

The decision to amend the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Act still needs the approval of the U.S. Agriculture Secretary to move forward, even if the appeal fails.