Commissioner Lauren Bridal updated the board Tuesday on recent Columbia River Gorge Commission activity and pressed for changes she says would help rural residents and small businesses in the National Scenic Area.

Bridal, who said she is joining a new economic work group within the commission, said her priorities include increasing access to accessory dwelling units in rural areas, loosening restrictions that limit small-scale visitor accommodations on private property and addressing rules that make some small agricultural and food-service enterprises difficult to operate. “I want ADUs more available for people in rural areas to build,” Bridal told the board.

Bridal and other commissioners discussed how large construction projects and seasonal workforce needs will strain regional housing. She urged the commission to consider temporary housing options, such as trailer-based accommodations and temporary ADUs, to house construction workers in the Gorge during major projects and suggested the commission examine whether metrics such as free-and-reduced-lunch counts could better target funding for rural communities.

Bridal also raised multiple concerns about how the Gorge management plan and local county code interact around things like wineries, food trucks and small-scale manufacturing. She said she has heard reports of wineries being told they cannot serve food on their property and that parking pressure from tourism (notably in Underwood and at Cape Horn Trail turnouts) creates traffic and livability issues. Bridal said the county and Gorge Commission need to identify whether prohibitions are explicit in the management plan or are restrictive interpretations and suggested staff look into whether code updates or management-plan changes are needed.

She also described ongoing appeals and legal questions tied to commission decisions and said stronger community representation on the commission and clearer conflict-of-interest rules could reduce friction. Bridal urged using data, reducing emotion in public comment, and seeking cooperative approaches to avoid costly litigation that can stem from enforcement and appeals.

This agenda item was an update and discussion; no formal county action was taken on changes to the management plan during the meeting.