In 2010, CONCUR Principal Scott McCreary convened a phased dialogue focusing on improving land use decision-making for the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.
CONCUR was responsible for creating the agenda, facilitating two meetings, and drafting reports summarizing the key outcomes. The meeting participants spanned a range of stakeholders and included members of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon and Washington state government officials, and members from Friends of the Columbia Gorge.
The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area (Gorge), a stunning natural resource with a canyon up to 4,000 feet deep, represents a hybrid approach to land use planning, as it emphasizes a federal interest while recognizing the importance of local authorities spanning two states and multiple local jurisdictions. The dialogue, supported by the Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation, focused on identifying and strengthening concrete commitments to Gorge resource protection and management.
The ultimate focus of these meetings was to engaging participants to discuss content improvements over Gorge decision-making, build on shared commitments for resource protection and management of the Gorge, and follow up on previous steps outlined during a pervious meeting for effective Gorge decision-making.