Story by Rodger Nichols for Gorge Country Media
There was good news at last for victims of the Rowena and Burdoin fires. The Columbia River Gorge Commission yesterday passed a revision of the Management Plan that will make it easier to rebuild their homes in the National Scenic Area.They will have some requirements waived if they decide to build in the footprint of the home that was lost or up to 10 percent larger. They will be allowed to park an RV on the site for more than the 60 days a year that was the previous limit. And they will have up to 10 years to rebuild instead of the previous two.
Here’s how three of the commissioners commented on it:
“I believe, and I think the science supports me, that, you know, we’re going to have tragedies like this, potentially every year going forward/Today is 212 days since the Rowena Fire drove people from their homes, 192 days from the start of the Burdoin Fire/The fires provide an opportunity for the Gorge Commission to show that we mean what we say, when we talk about supporting the residents of the Gorge.”
Klickitat County Commissioners, who were informed after their lunch break that the plan amendment had passed, reacted positively:
“Yeah, we were very happy with that decision today/We really appreciate to keep that moving and make that happen for the people impacted by the fire.”
The Commission staff will draw up the formal document and submit it to the Secretary of Agriculture to approve. As soon as that happens, the counties can take the steps to change their local ordinances to match and the new rules can go in place.
###