§544c Columbia River Gorge Commission

Summary

Congress allowed Oregon and Washington to set up a regional agency called the Columbia River Gorge Commission. The two States had to make the Commission by interstate agreement within one year after November 17, 1986. The Commission starts working after each State names at least four initial members. County governments must appoint one resident from each of these counties: Hood River, Multnomah, and Wasco (Oregon) and Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania (Washington). Each Governor also appoints three residents from their State, and the Secretary appoints one nonvoting Forest Service employee. Members serve four-year terms, but some initial appointees were given staggered five- or six-year terms. Vacancies are filled by the State or county that made the original appointment. Governors and counties may not appoint current Federal, State, or local elected or appointed officials. The Commission is not a federal agency. It hires its own staff and the States pay member pay and other expenses. A majority of members is needed for a quorum, and members choose a chair by majority vote of each State’s appointees. The Commission must make rules for its procedures, contracts, conflict-of-interest and financial disclosure, open meetings, and advisory committees, following the stricter of the two States’ laws. Financial disclosure rules apply to members no matter how long they serve or how much they are paid. Federal agencies may give information, people, property, or services if the Commission asks; the agencies can be repaid, but the Secretary may give technical help without charge. The Commission must set up voluntary technical and citizen advisory committees.