Recreation
Related Topics
With its breathtaking panoramic views, awesome waterfalls, towering cliffs, multitude of aquatic resources, historic highways and dramatically diverse terrain, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has provided outdoor recreation opportunities for many decades. In more recent years, the recreation identity of the gorge has expanded from driving, hiking and boating to include windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, rafting, and mountain and road biking. With an increase in recreation types and in general, more users, overcrowding of sites and environmental degradation have become larger issues. A key question facing the gorge today is: how can we all share in the experience, without loving the gorge to death? The objectives and measures have been written to address this question.
Objectives
- 5.1 ADDRESS THE DEMAND FOR RESOURCE‐BASED RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE MANNER
Assessing the impacts of existing resource‐based recreation on the natural environment as well as the demand for additional sites to improve user access.
- 5.2 PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF RECREATION EXPERIENCES
Documenting the overall quality of the gorge recreation experience as reported by both visitors and residents.