Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 350 - COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE COMMISSION
Division 82 - LAND USE ORDINANCE
Section 350-082-0710 - Special Management Area Recreation Resources Review Criteria
Universal Citation: OR Admin Rules 350-082-0710
Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
(1) The following shall apply to all new recreation developments and land uses in the SMAs:
(a) New development and land uses shall not
displace existing recreational use.
(b) Recreation resources shall be protected
from adverse effects by evaluating new development and land uses as proposed in
the site plan. An analysis of both onsite and offsite cumulative effects shall
be required.
(c) New pedestrian or
equestrian trails shall not have motorized uses, except for emergency
services.
(d) Mitigation measures
shall be provided to preclude adverse effects on the recreation
resource.
(e) The Facility Design
Guidelines are intended to apply to individual recreation facilities.
Development or improvements within the same Recreation Intensity Class are
considered as separate facilities if they are separated by at least 1/4 mile of
undeveloped land (excluding trails, pathways, or access roads).
(f) New development and reconstruction of
scenic routes shall include provisions for bicycle lanes.
(g) Proposals to change the Recreation
Intensity Class of an area shall require a Management Plan amendment.
(2) Recreation Intensity Class Guidelines in the SMAs
(a) Recreation
Intensity Class 1 (Very Low Intensity)
(A)
Social Setting: Visitors in this designation have a high chance of finding
solitude and opportunities to experience activities that rely on self-reliance,
challenge and risk. Encounters with other visitors is low throughout the
designation. Perceived crowdedness is low to non-existent away from roads
recreation sites. Visitor encounters and perceived crowdedness is low to
moderate at or near (within one mile) roads and recreation sites.
(B) Physical and Managerial Setting:
Predominately natural or natural appearing landscapes with rustic improvements
characterize this designation. Nodes of developed recreation facilities may be
allowed. Developed recreation site regulations and controls (signing,
regulations or other regimentation) are noticeable but harmonize with the
natural characteristics of the landscape setting. Away from developed
recreation sites there is minimal or subtle control of users.
(C) Trail development is simple and typically
accommodate low use levels. Users are highly skilled with a high degree of
orienteering skills.
(D) The
maximum design capacity for parking areas shall be ten vehicles.
(E) The following uses may be permitted
subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.
(i)
Trails and trailheads.
(ii) Parking
areas.
(iii) Dispersed campsites
accessible only by a trail.
(iv)
Viewpoints and overlooks.
(v)
Picnic areas.
(vi) Signs.
(vii) Interpretive exhibits and
displays.
(viii)
Restrooms.
(ix) Accommodations for
mass transportation facilities should be considered where compatible with the
social and physical settings.
(b) Recreation Intensity Class 2 (Low
Intensity)
(A) Social Setting: This
designation is characterized by opportunities to experience relaxation,
physical fitness and outdoor learning and where there is a moderate probability
to experience solitude. Visitor encounters are low to moderate on trails and
away from developed recreation sites and roads and usually moderate to high
near (within one mile) recreation sites and roads.
(B) Physical and Managerial Setting:
Predominately natural or natural appearing landscapes with rustic improvements
characterize this designation. Nodes of highly developed recreation facilities
may be allowed. Developed recreation site regulations and controls (signing,
regulations or other regimentation) harmonize with the natural characteristics
of the landscape setting. Away from developed recreation sites there is minimal
or subtle control of users.
(C)
Trails are moderately developed (native surface or gravel, trail bridges and
other facilities are provided for user convenience). Trail use is typically low
to moderate. Trails are suitable for a wide range of users and are challenging
and involve intermediate to advance skills.
(D) The maximum design capacity for parking
areas shall be 25 vehicles.
(E) The
following uses may be permitted subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.
(i) All uses permitted in Recreation
Intensity Class 1 are permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 2.
(ii) Campgrounds for twenty (20) units or
less, tent sites only.
(iii) Boat
anchorages designed for no more than ten boats at one time.
(iv) Swimming areas.
(v) Accommodations for mass transportation
facilities should be considered where compatible with the social and physical
settings.
(c)
Recreation Intensity Class 3 (Moderate Intensity)
(A) Social Setting: A high degree of
interaction with other visitors with opportunities to experience relaxation and
activities that provide little challenge or risk in a natural appearing
environment characterizes this designation. Visitor encounters are moderate to
high on trails away from developed recreation sites and roads.
(B) Physical and Managerial Setting: Changes
to the natural landscape may be evident but in harmony with natural
characteristics of the landscape setting. Highly developed recreation
facilities and trails are constructed for visitor convenience. On-site
regulation and controls are noticeable but harmonize with the natural
environment.
(C) Trails typically
accommodate moderate to high use and are well developed (native, gravel or
paved surfaces, trail facilities such as bridges are provided for convenience).
Trails are easily traveled by a wide range of users who have intermediate skill
level and minimal orienteering skills.
(D) Permitted uses are those in which people
can participate in activities to realize experiences such as group
socialization, nature appreciation, relaxation, cultural learning, and physical
activity.
(E) The maximum design
capacity for parking areas shall be 50 vehicles. The GMA vehicle capacity level
of 75 vehicles shall be allowed if enhancement or mitigation measures for
scenic, cultural, or natural resources are approved for at least ten percent of
the site.
(F) Accommodation of
facilities for mass transportation (bus parking, etc.) shall be required for
all new Recreation Intensity Class 3 day-use recreation sites and improvements
to existing Recreation Intensity Class 3 day-use recreation sites where the
improvement would increase the use of the site, except for sites predominantly
devoted to boat access. The number and size of the mass transportation
facilities shall reflect the physical capacity of the site.
(G) The following uses may be permitted
subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.
(i)
All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Classes 1 and 2 are permitted in
Recreation Intensity Class 3.
(ii)
Campgrounds with improvements that may include vehicle access, water, power,
sewer, and sewage dump stations. Campgrounds shall not exceed a combination of
50 single or group campsites (tent or recreational vehicle) and a total design
capacity of 250 people at one time.
(iii) Boat anchorages designed for not more
than 15 boats.
(iv) Public visitor,
interpretive, historic, and environmental education facilities.
(v) Full-service restrooms that may include
showers.
(vi) Boat ramps.
(vii) Riding stables.
(d) Recreation Intensity Class 4
(High Intensity)
(A) Social Setting: This
designation is characterized by highly developed facilities where there is
little challenge or risk associated with being in the outdoors. There is a high
degree of interaction with other visitors. Encounters are high in recreation
sites, on roads and trails within in this designation.
(B) Physical and Managerial Setting:
Landscapes with natural appearing backdrop are characterized by this
designation. Highly developed recreation facilities and trails are constructed
for visitor convenience and ease of movement. On-site regulation and controls
are noticeable but harmonize with the natural characteristics of the landscape
setting.
(C) Trails are highly
developed (gravel or paved surfaces, trail facilities such as bridges are
provided for convenience) and accommodate heavy to intensive use. Users are
typically inexperienced with little or no orienteering skills. Trails are
easily traveled by a wide range of users.
(D) Permitted uses are those in which people
can participate in activities to realize experiences such as socialization,
cultural and natural history appreciation, and physical activity.
(E) The maximum design capacity for parking
areas shall be 200 vehicles. The GMA vehicle capacity level of 250 vehicles
shall be allowed if enhancement or mitigation measures for scenic, cultural, or
natural resources are approved for at least 20 percent of the site.
(F) Accommodation of facilities for mass
transportation (bus parking, etc.) shall be required for all new Recreation
Intensity Class 4 day-use recreation sites and improvements to existing
Recreation Intensity Class 4 day-use recreation sites where the improvement
would increase the use of the site, except for sites predominantly devoted to
boat access. The number and size of the mass transportation facilities shall
reflect the physical capacity of the site.
(G) The following uses may be permitted
subject to compliance with 350-082-0720.
(i)
All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Classes 1, 2, and 3 are permitted in
Recreation Intensity Class 4.
(ii)
Campgrounds with improvements that may include vehicle access, water, power,
sewer, and sewage dump stations. Campgrounds shall not exceed a combination of
100 single or group campsites (tent or recreational vehicle) and a total design
capacity of 500 people at one time.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)
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