Columbia Gorge Air Quality project

(Click to enlarge) Columbia Gorge national scenic area

The National Scenic Area Act of 1986 lays out a unique challenge for the Columbia River Gorge. The purpose of the act is to protect and enhance the scenic, natural, cultural and recreational resources of this National Scenic Area while at the same time supporting the local economies. Achieving the goals of the Scenic Area Act will require us to look both locally and regionally at sources influencing air quality in the Gorge, and develop an air quality strategy that closely involves stakeholders and the public.

The Columbia Gorge Air Quality Project is the response to the May 2000 Gorge commission's adoption of an amendment to the Gorge Management Plan calling for the protection and enhancement of Columbia River Gorge Air Quality. The initial plan (2001) was developed jointly with the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA), the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) and with some grant funding from the US EPA. The plan was redesigned in 2003 after subsequent changes in funding and the disinvestment of WDOE from the project. The resulting redesigned work plan outlines a program for a comprehensive technical air quality study and development of an air quality strategy for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

From 2004-2008 SWCAA and DEQ conducted an air quality study to characterize and identify local and regional emission sources contributing to haze pollution in the Gorge. Subsequently, the air agencies have developed an air quality strategy report that summarizes the conclusions of the air quality study and describes a variety of current, new, and possible future emission reduction strategies that will continue to improve visibility in the Gorge. The agencies' final strategy report was presented to the Columbia River Gorge Commission on September 13, 2011.

• Gorge Strategy Document (final) – as approved at the Sept. 13, 2011 Gorge Commission meeting
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Appendix D from Department of Ecology website
• Gorge Strategy Fact Sheet

Background

• Gorge Science day presentations and reports (September 2007)
• Past developments for the Columbia River Gorge Air Quality Project

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