Congratulations to our own Damon Webster, who has recently been re-appointed for his second term on the Columbia River Gorge Commission as a representative of Clark County! I recently sat down with Damon to learn a little bit about the commission and why he chose to get involved.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission is a bi-state agency comprised of 13 Commissioners appointed by county officials, Governors from Washington and Oregon, and a small professional staff. Damon was appointed as a Clark County Commissioner after serving on the Vancouver Watershed Council, and the role seems perfectly suited for him. A previous native of White Salmon, WA, Damon regards the scenic area of the Gorge to be “a little bit like home,” which is why he chose to apply. “I just felt like I wanted to be part of both trying to protect it but keep it viable.”

The purpose of the commission has always been to administer and protect the 300,000 acre scenic area of the Gorge, which begins east of the Portland/Vancouver metro area and stretches 85 miles to the Deschutes River in OR. The commission also works to support the economy of the area by encouraging economic development and growth in existing urban areas. One example of this can be seen in the ever popular windsurfing, which Damon says he used to enjoy participating in. It’s also a huge boost to the area that Insitu, a company that develops unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has called the Gorge its home since the early 1990s. Even after longtime partner Boeing acquired them, they have been able to hold to their roots, providing jobs for many residents of the Gorge.

In addition to this support, the commission is also responsible for a number of key roles, including setting policy through a Scenic Area Management Plan, which provides guidelines for new development throughout the Gorge. They must also serve as an appeals board for land use ordinance issues that are challenged in the area. Currently, each county has adopted the same ordinances with the exception of Klickitat county, though Damon says that the working relationship between Klickitat and the commission has started to become more productive recently than in previous years.

He also notes that one of the reasons he enjoys his role so much is because of his relationships with fellow commissioners. At the time of his entry, there was a substantial turnover in the commission with several new participants entering. He notes that “the new group kind of got a fresh start,” which has helped working relations between commission appointees. This is especially helpful when the commission is faced with making decisions in appeals cases where there may be differences in opinion.

Fellow commissioner, Janet Wainwright, expresses that Damon’s “planning expertise has helped to successfully frame many land-use issues with which we deal on the Commission. His demeanor is professional and thoughtful. He asks the right questions. He has a way of calming down the rhetoric when we deal with contentious issues.” She goes on to note that “Clark County is a key player in this region and having Damon Webster as its representative on the Columbia River Gorge Commission is forward-thinking and positively impacts the important work of the Commission.”

Damon also finds time to enjoy the Gorge outside of his commission duties. He says that he often finds himself in the Gorge enjoying the scenic area and has taken part in many of the area’s outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and windsurfing. “It’s beautiful. I mean, you can’t argue that. [...] I’m always struck by how it’s the same but it always has a little different feel about it depending on what the weather is doing, the time of year, there’s always something. It changes all the time. It’s just a great place.”

Here’s to another successful term on the commission, Damon. We know you will continue to make a positive impact on the Gorge!