H-1508.1  _______________________________________________

                     HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4011

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Boldt and Dunn

Read first time 02/06/97.  Referred to Committee on Government Reform & Land Use.

Requesting Congress to review the impact of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act.

    TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act was put into effect to protect this great resource that the states of Washington and Oregon share; and

    WHEREAS, The intent and planning of the Act has been implemented by both states and by the gorge counties in both states; and

    WHEREAS, The citizens of Washington who live in the gorge planning area have been denied full liberty and hindered in their pursuit of happiness because of excessive regulations developed under the guise of the Act; and

    WHEREAS, The counties within the gorge planning area have been plagued by excessive regulations adopted by the Columbia River Gorge Commission even though the counties have planned and continue to plan in accordance with the Act;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully ask Congress to hold public oversight hearings on the impacts of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act and its implementation on the citizens and the counties within the area covered by the Act.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That your Memorialists respectfully ask Congress to amend the Act by:

    (1) Directing the Columbia River Gorge Commission to cooperate and assist counties in implementing the Act, acting with an attitude of service rather than an attitude of control; and

    (2) Providing for the election of the county members of the Columbia River Gorge Commission by the residents of those counties on both sides of the river; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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