Rulemaking

The Gorge Commission is holding a rulemaking hearing on proposed rules at its July 14, 2026 meeting, which will be held via Zoom. You may register for the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w8lz1iDRSXmvEOnyZ_1UMA.

The Gorge Commission is proposing to amend its open public meetings, public records disclosure, conflicts of interest, and administrative procedure. The revisions maintain the Gorge Commission’s rules in accordance with the requirement in the National Scenic Area Act that the rules must be consistent with the more restrictive of Oregon and Washington law. A report accompanies the rules explaining the consistency of rule sections as required by the National Scenic Area Act.

The Gorge Commission is also proposing to amend its land use ordinance for the National Scenic Area to incorporate a recent amendment to the Management Plan updating standards for replacement of structures and uses destroyed by a natural disaster. The Gorge Commission adopted the Plan Amendment in January, 2026 and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture concurred on the plan amendment in February 2026.

Both sets of rule amendments are contained in the same notice of proposed rulemaking.  Below is a link to the Oregon rulemaking notice and the Washington rulemaking notice and an electronic copy of the report in support of the Gorge Commission’s rules that are required by the National Scenic Area Act.

Rulemaking Notice in the Oregon Bulletin: https://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSCMSearch/Search/RecordViewer.aspx?uri=15779278

Rulemaking Notice in the Washington State Register: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2026/10/26-10-027.htm (note that the Washington State Register will publish the text of proposed rules on June 17, 2026. The text is identical to the text in the Oregon Bulletin, which is available immediately at the above link.)

Please contact the Gorge Commission office if you are unable to view the rulemaking notices and the Gorge Commission will provide you an electronic copy.