By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
September 17, 2007

The proposal to amend the Gorge Scenic Act’s management plan to allow conversion of the former Broughton Lumber Mill into a destination resort drew more criticism than approval at a Tuesday hearing in Hood River.

“This (Broughton Landing) would be the first of many footprints to follow,” said Cliff Cassekas, representing the Yakama Indian Nation. “I find the proposal disturbing because it violates what Congress set (up) the Gorge area for.”

The draft amendment was released Aug. 31 and the hearing was the first for public comment on the plan before the commission.

There is a sharp contrast, though, between what owners requested to develop the site and what the amendment details.

SDS Lumber owns the site and this plan is the latest in a series of proposals during the decades that have followed since the Gorge Scenic Area was created in 1986.

The 260-acre site is located west of Bingen near the Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery. SDS wants to develop about a quarter of the property including a new windsurfing launch site.

They had announced plans for 245 vacation homes, 36 RV campsites, recreational amenities and retail areas. The company’s proposal would have at least 30 percent of those sold for full-time owner occupancy.

Under the amendment, commission staff proposed a limit of 210 units with up to 20 percent for full-time occupancy.

SDS spokesman Jason Spadaro has said if the company is not allowed to develop at its request that the project would not be financially viable.

Economic development proponents from Skamania County did speak out in favor of the plan. The county has a very small tax base because the majority of it is federally owned land. Chamber Director Casey Roeder said the addition of jobs and tourism through the development of Broughton Landing would be a boon for the county.

“We need them (tourists) to spend the night and not just one night but more,” she said.

The Gorge Commission will continue to accept comments on the proposed amendment until their next meeting on Oct. 9 in Stevenson, Wash.