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Skamania County plans workshop on Cape Horn and Salmon Falls parking changes; Friends of the Gorge propose gravel lot
Summary
County staff proposed a two-step process — workshop then public hearing — on shoulder-parking restrictions and other parking measures at Cape Horn Road and Salmon Falls; Friends of the Gorge offered a short-term gravel lot to relieve congestion.
Skamania County planning and public-works staff told commissioners March 20 they are preparing a workshop and subsequent public hearing to address parking and trailhead access in the Cape Horn–Salmon Falls area.
County planner Mandy (title given in the meeting) described a recent stakeholder meeting that recommended banning shoulder parking at the end of Cape Horn Road. Staff said they are aiming to hold a workshop in early April (dates discussed included April 8 or April 15) and then proceed to a public hearing and ordinance implementation. The proposal would be limited to the Cape Horn/Salmon Falls parking area; other parking concerns (for example, Cookheimer Road) would be handled separately.
Staff told the board that the scenic-area rules limit the number of parking spaces at some trailheads — in one instance, historical planning reduced a proposed 50-space lot to 25 because of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area zoning. As an interim option, Friends of the Gorge has proposed creating a gravel overflow lot on county property east of the scenic-area boundary; Friends' planner offered to meet with county planning staff when the project details are ready.
Commissioners and staff discussed coordination with the Forest Service, Washington State Department of Transportation and local businesses to reduce spillover parking on SR-14 and to drive visitors toward managed parking. Staff said they will assess direct county costs for maintaining the existing park-and-ride lot (bathrooms, mowing and other upkeep) and explore options for cost-sharing with agencies that benefit from trailhead visitation.
The board asked staff to schedule the workshop, invite Friends of the Gorge and local stakeholders, and return with a proposed hearing date and draft ordinance language.
