News and Updates
A catalog of recent news stories about key conservation issues in the Gorge.
Also click Gorge News Sources for a list of Gorge media.
PGE Tries to Fool Oregonians, Holds Columbia Gorge Hostage
Aug. 28, 2010, BlueOregon - Utility using unsubstantiated claims to try to extend life of plant
Though Hawaiian Garbage Plan Terminated, Yakama Nation Continues Legal Action With Eye On Future
Aug. 27, 2010, Columbia Basin Bulletin - The Yakama Nation, Friends and others continue to press legal action to prevent the transport of Hawaiian garbage to Columbia Gorge landfill.
PRESS RELEASE: Hike the Gorge with Friends This Fall
Aug. 27, 2010 - Hikes, bike rides and auto tours highlight an inspiring and educational fall season.
Op-Ed: An Oregon icon is no place for a casino
Aug. 24, 2010, The Oregonian - Op-ed by Friends' Executive Director Kevin Gorman
In Our View: No Gambling in Gorge
Aug. 23, 2010, Vancouver Columbian editorial - "There must be umpteen other places to build a casino outside the Gorge."
Gorge destination resort on protected lands wins court victory
Aug. 10, 2010, The Dalles Chronicle - Court rejects arguments of Friends and other opponents
PRESS RELEASE: Review of controversial Gorge casino proposal continues with issuance of Environmental Impact Statement
Aug 6, 2010 - Secretary of Interior Salazar must consider whether to approve Oregon's first off-reservation casino
Friends' Job Opening: Conservation Organizer
July 27, 2010 - Friends seeks an experienced, enthusiastic staff person to organize members, activists and interest groups to support Gorge protection.
Friends launches "Step Up for the Gorge" fundraising campaign!
Aug 1, 2010 - Every new dollar given to Friends until Dec. 31, 2010 is matched by an anonymous donor (up to $50,000).
PRESS RELEASE: Federal Judge Halts Hawaiian Garbage from Coming through the Columbia Gorge
July 30, 2010 - Court finds a high likelihood of irreparable harm
Judge delays Hawaii garbage shipments to Washington
July 29, 2010, The Oregonian - Temporary restraining order bars shipment of Honolulu garbage to Washington landfill until Aug. 30
PRESS RELEASE: Lawsuit Filed to Block Shipping of Hawaiian Garbage Through Columbia River Gorge
July 29, 2010 - Major concerns include introduction of invasive plants and insects
Next for PGE Boardman: Natural gas?
July 27, 2010, Daily Journal of Commerce - With Boardman plant shut-down possible, PGE may turn to natural gas.
Washington State extends Whistling Ridge comment period
June 23, 2010, Gorge Outdoors - More time for the public to comment on the wind energy proposal near Underwood.
Friends Wraps Up Great Spring Hiking Season!
July 23, 2010 - Our best season yet offered almost 60 hikes and outings.
Hawaii Garbage Faces New Obstacle En Route to Washington State Landfill After Yakama Tribe Objects
July 19, 2010, Seattle Weekly Environment Blog - Yakama Nation concerned about invasive pests and contaminants transported to Washington.
Oregon Offered a Chance at a Coal Free Future
July 18, 2010, Youth Climate Movement - Will PGE choose to lead Oregon into a coal-free future?
Latourell Falls: Nature's reprieve from summer's heat
July 17, 2010, Salem Statesman-Journal - This Gorge falls touts views from the parking area and longer hikes
Conservation group rails against new rules for the Columbia River Gorge
July 15, 2010 - Friends objects to Commission's "end-run" around Supreme Court decision ordering them to better protect Gorge resources
News Release: Gorge Commission votes to weaken resource protection
July 14, 2010, Friends of the Columbia Gorge - The Gorge Commission decides to weaken protections for wildlife, rare plants, and other sensitive resources
Coal plant's closure is a race against time
June 30, 2010, The Oregonian - Boardman plant is focus of regulatory fight to clean up Gorge air
It's go, no go, again for trash shipments
July 10, 2010, Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Plan to barge trash through the Gorge hits another snag
"She Who Watches" keeps eye on Columbia Gorge
June 30, 2010, The Oregonian Travel Blog - The Gorge's most famous petroglyph still enchants visitors and raises questions.
Plan for Catherine Creek Area Completed, Available Online for Review
June 28, 2010, U.S. Forest Service - A new recreation plan for the popular Catherine Creek area is finished and the public can review it.
Environmental Impact Statement released for proposed Gorge wind project
May 28, 2010, Hood River Valley Residents Committee - Comment on the proposal to place 50 wind turbines above the City of White Salmon, significantly impacting scenic resources.
DEQ proposes new options for shutdown of PGE coal plant
June 28, 2010, The Oregonian - Environmental regulators laid out new options for PGE for early closure of Boardman.
Summer’s here and the drivin’s easy
June 27, 2010, Eugene Register-Guard - This Top Ten list of scenic highway stretches includes the good ol' Gorge.
Reynolds graduate dies in Gorge trail fall
June 21, 2010, Gresham Outlook - Teenager falls 150 feet from Angels Rest View Point.
DISPATCH FROM THE TRAIL: Dog Mountain II, 6/3/10
Friends' Hike Leader Jim Chase scouted Dog Mountain and sent this report.
DISPATCH FROM THE TRAIL: Dog Mountain, 6/1/2010
Friends' hike leader Jane Garbisch posted fine photos and a great hike report of her Dog Mountain hike on PortlandHikers.com!
Learning flows through Gorge
June 5, 2010, Gresham Outlook - Corbett children, artists collaborate on ecological mural
Oregon farmers on the lookout for fruit flies
June 2, 2010, The Oregonian - Researchers and farmers scouting for signs tiny fly with damaging appetite for Oregon's fruit and berries
Student Governments Call for a Future Beyond Coal
June 1, 2010, Youth Climate Movement - The first installation in a two-part post series on the Beyond Coal movement in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on youth engagement.
Say What? Kayaker sets 82-feet world record by plunging down Oregon's Metlako Falls
May 27, 2010, Sify Sports - Amateur kayaker Christie Glissmeyer sets the record in the Gorge.
Honolulu trash shipping cleared by USDA
May 28, 2010, Honolulu Advertiser - Backed-up garbage to be barged through the Gorge
OPB Think Out Loud: What Wind Means for the Gorge
May 28, 2010, OPB Think Out Loud - Panel on wind development in the Gorge stirs lively online discussion.
As wind power booms, so do the challenges
May 22, 2010, Seattle Times - Columbia River projects full of promise, but wind power is fickle
Canyon Creek 6th Graders Take to the Gorge!
May 20, 2010 - Friends' Youth Education Program provides invaluable outdoor learning to middle-school students in Gorge communities.
Oregon: look at early closure of PGE's Boardman coal plant
May 18, 2010, The Oregonian - Oregon regulators proposed rejecting PGE's petition to close Boardman by 2020 so they can scrutinize required pollution controls in more depth.
Wind farms "green" - but an eyesore
May 13, 2010, Portland Examiner - Hundreds of enormous wind turbines have changed the landscape of the eastern Gorge.
There's plenty to enjoy in the Columbia River Gorge
May 11, 2010, The Oregonian - Relaxing springtime vacations abound in the Gorge.
Students Re-Frame Debate Over the Boardman Coal Plant
May 7, 2010, Youth Climate Movement - Young people speak out on the need for PGE to clean up or shut down its Gorge-polluting plant.
Four Years of Public Comment; No Decision Yet
May 6, 2010, Public News Service - Public comment period for PGE Boardman extended AGAIN
There really are a few cherry trees on Cherry Orchard Trail
May 5, 2010, The Oregonian - Great photos and article from "Travels with Terry"
Oregon candidates for governor join in opposing Columbia Gorge casino
May 4, 2010, The Oregonian - Odds grow longer for Oregon's first off-reservation casino in the heart of the Gorge.
Troublesome weed (Garlic mustard) up for grabs
April 27, 2010, Gresham Outlook - The battle against this invasive plant continues.
Deadlines set for Hanford cleanup
April 22, 2010, The Dalles Chronicle - Timelines set for shipment of radioactive waste
Can We Have Cleaner Air, Sooner?
Spring 2010, Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center (PEAC) Ascent - Friends' co-plaintiffs makes the case for PGE Boardman's early closure.
Forget the poison oak, Catherine Creek still an awesome spring hike destination
April 21, 2010, Travels with Terry (The Oregonian blog)
Friends honors Tom Wood as Volunteer of the Year!
April 20, 2010 - Naturalist, activist and avid birder honored at Friends' Annual Meeting
Friends Welcomes New Outdoor Programs Coordinator!
April 15, 2010 - Maegan Jossy brings seven years of recreation program management and a love for Gorge landscapes.
Why Wait?
April 10, 2010, Hood River News letter to editor - Gorge citizen says Cascade Locks should move on from Gorge casino proposal and embrace a better economic path: Gorge tourism.
Low Flows Likely To Result In Less Water Spilled To Help Salmon Passage At Bonneville Dam
April 9, 2010, Columbia Basin Bulletin - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may spill less water for juvenile salmon passage at Bonneville Dam.
Lacking permits, utility puts off Condit Dam breaching
April 6, 2010, Vancouver Columbian - Yet another delay for Condit Dam removal.
PGE files to close Boardman coal plant early, rekindles concerns
April 2, 2010, The Oregonian - Friends and others are pushing for earlier closure
New owners for River City Saloon
April 2, 2010, Hood River Biz Buzz - Mike Allen and Jane Harris (Friends' former development director) will re-open historic space as "The Waucoma Club"
Highway 14 reopens after rock slide
April 3, 2010, Vancouver Columbian - Smaller blasts likely after mishap leads to 26-hour closure
Help Remove Condit Dam and Restore Wild Steelhead and Whitewater Recreation
March 2010, Gifford Pinchot Task Force
Construction begins on Lyle trailhead for Klickitat Trail
March 30, 2010, The Oregonian - Long-awaited trailhead will be main access point for the Klickitat rails-to-trails project
Shipment of Honolulu's trash through Gorge delayed
March 29, 2010, Honolulu Advertiser - Shipment to mainland pushed back until end of April
Wasco County wants strong energy stand
March 19, 2010, The Dalles Chronicle - Advisory groups will work toward new energy rules
Gorge bill takes step backward
March 16, 2010, The Dalles Chronicle - The Washington House bill would eliminate the Columbia Gorge Compact and the Gorge Commission.
Spring forward into GORGE-ous hikes
March 13, 2010, Gresham Outlook - Guided hikes along Columbia River mix knowledge into sensory smorgasbord
Catherine Creek management proposal presented at public meeting this week
March 9, 2010, Hood River News
Youth Take on the Boardman Coal Plant
March 8, 2010, Youth Climate Movement - A youth movement is to end coal burning at the Boardman plant is gaining steam.
Gorge yourself on hikes
March 8, 2010, Salem Statesman-Journal - Friends' series of hikes has something for just about everybody.
Wash. House budget threatens Gorge funding
February 26, 2010, Vancouver Columbian - Money for Gorge Commission would be eliminated.
Rep. Blumenauer, Senator Merkley Introduce Bill to Restore Columbia River
February 25, 2010, Office of Rep. Blumenauer
1000 Friends of Oregon Announces "35 Innovators Under 35"
February 2010, 1000 Friends of Oregon - Our own Kelley Beamer is named one of Oregon's brightest young innovators!
Damaging bill threatens Gorge
February 17, 2010, Vancouver Columbian op-ed - Short-term savings could mean long-term destruction.
Another Dam Delay
February 16, 2010, Vancouver Columbian op-ed - Bureaucratic maneuvering extends life of Condit Dam at least one more year
Steigerwald Lake a birding paradise
February 11, 2010, Portland Tribune - Refuge opens to public after 24-year wait
Alert: WA SR-14 sections to be closed for improvements (Scroll down)
February 11, 2010, Goldendale Sentinel - Find alternate routes between Mar.-Sep. 2010.
Bill seeks to repeal Gorge compact
February 10, 2010, Vancouver Columbian - A bill in the Washington state House would repeal the Columbia Gorge Compact and de-fund the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Winter's Winged Visitors
February 7, 2010, The Dalles Chronicle - The prime season for eagle viewing is here.
President's Budget Includes Funding to Protect Gorge Landscapes
February 9, 2010, Friends Press Release
Wind and Bats
February 4, 2010, Oregon Field Guide (VIDEO) - Wind turbines are taking an unexpected toll on migrating bats.
Cape Horn will get a Forest Service-designed trail in Skamania County
February 1, 2010, The Oregonian
Rock Art Restoration
January 28, 2010, Oregon Field Guide - One artist's work to restore Native American petroglyphs.
"Very disappointed" in Cascade Locks casino interchange coverage (Letter to Editor)
January 23, 2010, Hood River News
Bike tour company expands to Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge
January 19, 2010, The Oregonian
PGE plan suggests shorter time frame to close Boardman coal-fired power plant
January 14, 2010, The Oregonian
