Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-07-049.

Title of Rule: Review uses - open space (350-80-340).

Purpose: Clarifies allowed uses on lands designated GMA.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 43.97 RCW.

Summary: Addition of restoration and enhancement structures.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Mandated by scenic area management plan.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Brian Litt, White Salmon, Washington, (509) 493-3323.

Name of Proponent: Columbia River Gorge Commission, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: To clarify allowed uses on land designated GMA in Klickitat County. It adds "addition of restoration and enhancement" structures.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: As above.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No economic impact.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: The Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR, on June 13, 2000, at 9:45 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact by phone, (509) 493-3323.

Submit Written Comments to: Fax (509) 493-2229, by June 13, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: June 13, 2000.

April 18, 2000

Robert K. McIntyre

Administrative Assistant

350-80-340. Review uses -- Open space.

(1) The following uses may be allowed on all lands designated GMA-Open Space subject to compliance with the appropriate scenic, cultural, natural, and recreation resources guidelines (Commission Rule 350-80-520 through 350-80-620):

(a) Low intensity recreation, subject to Commission Rule 350-80-610(2).

(b) Land divisions to facilitate efforts to protect and enhance scenic, cultural, natural or recreation resources.

(c) Non-emergency repair and maintenance of existing structures, trails, roads, railroads, utility facilities, and hydroelectric facilities that involve new ground disturbing activities or those which differ in depth and extent from past ground disturbance.

(d) Improvement of existing structures, trails, roads, railroads, utility facilities, and hydroelectric facilities.

(e) Placement of structures for public safety.

(f) Restoration and enhancement structures and/or activities including vegetation, scenic, soil, fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancements.

(2) The following uses may be allowed on land designated GMA-Open Space in the Gorge Walls, Canyonlands and Wildlands landscape setting:

(a) All uses listed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Livestock grazing.

(c) Fish and wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state or tribal resource agencies.

(d) Soil, water or vegetation uses performed in accordance with a conservation plan approved by a county conservation district.

(e) Harvesting of wild crops.

(f) Educational or scientific research.

(g) Continued operation of existing quarries if they are determined to be consistent with guidelines to protect scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources (Commission Rule 350-80-520 through 350-80-620).

(3) The following uses may be allowed on lands designated GMA-Open Space within the Mosley Lakes Natural Area:

(a) All those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Fish and wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state, or tribal resource agencies, after consultation with the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

(c) Educational or scientific research, after consultation with the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

(d) Commercial trapping.

(4) The following uses may be allowed on land designated GMA-Open Space within the Chenoweth Table Natural Area:

(a) All those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Low-intensity recreation, subject to the guidelines for recreation intensity classes 350-80-610(2), after consultation with the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.

(c) Wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state, or tribal resource agencies, after consultation with the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.

(d) Educational or scientific research, after consultation with the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.

(5) The following uses may be allowed on land designated GMA-Open Space within the Squally Point Natural Area:

(a) Except as limited by guideline (5)(b) below, all those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Except in the upland dunes south of the railroad tracks, low-intensity recreation, subject to the guidelines for recreation intensity classes 350-80-610(2), after consultation with the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.

(c) Repair and maintenance of railroads, except measures to stabilize dunes, after consultation with the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.

(6) The following uses may be allowed on land designated GMA-Open Space within the Klickitat River Wildlife and Natural Area:

(a) All those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Low-intensity recreation, subject to the guidelines for recreation intensity classes 350-80-610(2), after consultation with the Washington Natural Heritage Program and Washington Department of Wildlife.

(c) Wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state, or tribal resource agencies, after consultation with the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

(d) Educational or scientific research, after consultation with the Washington Natural Heritage Program.

(7) The following uses are allowed on land designated GMA-Open Space within the Balch Lake Wetland Area:

(a) All those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Livestock grazing, subject to a range conservation plan, after consultation with the Washington Department of Wildlife.

(c) Fish and wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state, or tribal resource agencies.

(d) Educational and scientific research, after consultation with the Washington Department of Wildlife.

(e) Low-intensity recreation, subject to the guidelines for recreation intensity classes 350-80-610(2), after consultation with the Washington Department of Wildlife.

(8) The following uses may be allowed on lands designated GMA-Open Space within the mouth of the Wind River Wildlife Area:

(a) All those uses allowed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Fish and wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state, or tribal resource agencies.

(c) Soil, water, or vegetation uses performed in accordance with a conservation plan approved by a local conservation district.

(d) Harvesting of wild crops.

(e) Educational or scientific research, after consultation with the Washington Department of Wildlife or Fisheries.

(f) Commercial fishing and trapping.

(g) Low-intensity recreation, subject to the guidelines for recreation intensity classes 350-80-610(2), after consultation with the Washington Department of Wildlife.

(9) The following uses may be allowed on lands designated GMA-Open Space within state parks:

(a) All uses listed in Commission Rule 350-80-340(1).

(b) Fish and wildlife management uses conducted by federal, state or tribal resource agencies.

(c) Soil, water or vegetation uses performed in accordance with a conservation plan approved by a local conservation district.

(d) Harvesting of wild crops.

(e) Educational or scientific research.

(10) On land designated SMA-Open Space, the maintenance, repair, and operation of existing dwellings, structures, trails, roads, railroads, and utility facilities may occur without review.

(11) The following uses may be allowed on lands designated SMA-Open Space, subject to compliance with the appropriate scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources guidelines (Commission Rule 350-80-520 through 350-80-620) and when consistent with an open space plan approved by the U.S. Forest Service pursuant to guideline (12) below:

(a) Changes in existing uses including reconstruction, replacement, and expansion of existing structures and transportation facilities, except for commercial forest practices.

(b) Structures or vegetation management activities, including scientific research, related to scenic, cultural, recreational, and natural resource enhancement projects.

Restoration and enhancement structures and/or activities including vegetation, scenic, soil, fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancements.

(c) Low intensity recreation uses, including educational and interpretive facilities, consistent with Commission Rule 350-80-620.

(d) Utility facilities for public service upon a showing that:

(A) There is no alternative location with less adverse effect on Open Space land.

(B) The size is the minimum necessary to provide the service.

(e) New signs, pursuant to Commission Rule 350-80-160.

(12) An Open Space plan shall be completed by the primary managing agency or landowner prior to any new land uses or development, and shall be reviewed by the Forest Service. The Open Space plan shall include the following:

(a) Direction for resource protection, enhancement, and management.

(b) Review of existing uses to determine compatibility with Open Space values.

(c) Consultation with members of the public and with agency and resource specialists.

(13) Treatment of noxious weeds on lands designated SMA-Open Space shall be permitted, subject to review, without completion of an SMA Open Space plan when the following criteria have been met:

(a) Noxious weed infestation is new and eradication is still viable.

(b) Delayed or deferred treatment could have widespread or major adverse impacts to one or more of the following resources:

(A) Displacement of native and traditionally gathered plants;

(B) Degradation of wildlife habitat and forage;

(C) Degradation or loss of agricultural uses of land, such as cropland or livestock forage;

(D) Limitation of recreational uses.

(c) For federal lands, treatment effects have been thoroughly evaluated in an environmental assessment.

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