Forest Service seeks comments on Multnomah Falls Lodge electrical upgrade; Dog Mountain shuttle, parking and bike racks discussed

U.S. Forest Service representative Commissioner Mickley told the Columbia River Gorge Commission on Feb. 11 that the agency is requesting public comment on the Multnomah Falls Lodge electrical upgrade project, with comments due Feb. 21, and that a public meeting on the Northwest Forest Plan draft environmental impact statement will be held Feb. 13 in Stevenson.

Commissioner Mickley said the lodge project “is designed to enhance the visitor services at the lodge, improvements to restrooms, the visitor center, the exterior service areas, electrical system upgrades, mechanical system upgrades, and security and access control system upgrades.” Mickley said the Forest Service is developing a consistency determination and will consider all comments.

Mickley outlined other visitor-management items: an ongoing scramble to assemble roughly $100,000–$120,000 per year to fund flaggers and permit checkers at Exit 31 parking for Mount Hood/Mounds/Multnomah Falls access; the Dog Mountain permit shuttle will run weekends only from April 26 through June 15 this season due to staffing capacity; and the Forest Service plans to install additional bike racks in the waterfall corridor, including at Eagle Creek near the Big John restrooms.

Commissioners raised practical concerns: Commissioner Morgan said county planners sometimes lack access to the same GIS data the commission holds and asked whether consistent data will be available; Mickley said staff will provide improved GIS data to counties so they have uniform access. Commissioner Morgan also noted an existing bike rack at Multnomah Falls that “doesn't work” because tire clearance was not accounted for; Mickley said the agency is aware and working on it.

Why this matters: these projects and operations affect visitor safety, access, visitor services, trail and parking management, and coordination with county planners and tribal governments across the Scenic Area. Public comments and the Northwest Forest Plan EIS process are open to contribute to project design and plan amendments.

What’s next: the public comment deadline for the lodge electrical upgrade is Feb. 21; public input on the Northwest Forest Plan draft EIS is open through March 17, and local meetings will be held to gather input.