The press release below was sent to media outlets across the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Wash., April 3, 2025 – The Columbia River Gorge Commission, the agency responsible for managing and protecting the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (National Scenic Area), faces an existential threat after the Washington State House voted to eliminate all state funding for the agency. This move violates legal commitments Washington has under its bi-state compact with Oregon, which requires both states to fund the Gorge Commission equally.

Until this week, the Washington House and Senate budgets closely matched and were aligned with Oregon’s budget proposal, ensuring continued operation of the Commission. However, the newly passed Washington House budget defunds the Commission entirely, jeopardizing critical conservation efforts and economic initiatives in the National Scenic Area. The State of Washington is legally obligated to fund the Commission under the Columbia River Gorge Compact, which is a binding contract, an interstate compact, and state law all rolled into one.

Like other Washington state agencies, the Gorge Commission has already taken a mandatory budget reduction for 2025-2027. But under the bi-state compact, any reduction from Washington triggers an equal cut from Oregon, doubling the impact and severely threatening the Commission’s ability to function.

“The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most unique, stunning, and ecologically significant landscapes in the country, supporting 13 vibrant communities,” said Renée Tkach, conservation director at Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “Defunding the Commission would leave these communities and vital conservation efforts without the coordination and oversight that have protected the Gorge for nearly four decades.”

The Gorge Commission plays a crucial role in protecting natural areas as well as working farms and forests while balancing sustainable economic development. The Commission relies on general fund appropriations from both Washington and Oregon to implement the Management Plan for the National Scenic Area.

The Commission’s budget request for 2025-2027 is a modest $2.2 million from each state—representing just .0063% of Washington’s state budget—an essential investment in managing the largest and most complex National Scenic Area in the country, which spans 85 miles of the Columbia River and covers 292,500 acres of forests, agricultural lands, and recreation areas.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The Washington House and Senate must now work together to finalize the budget. The final negotiated budget must be passed by Sunday, April 27. Lawmakers still have time to reinstate funding and honor Washington’s legacy of environmental conservation leadership.

*Correction: Paragraph six of this article has been updated to reflect the correct budget request number. The original version of the article stated that the Gorge Commission had requested $4.4 million from each state. The correct number is $2.2 million from each state.