Planning for the Future of the Columbia River Gorge

To Teachers: This is an assignment we used in conjunction with a map of the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area and statistics on land designated as Special Management, General Management, or Urban uses.

Students worked in teams on this one, preparing to come together in a discussion with each other and with members of the community. This is a very emotional issue in the Gorge, and it was important that students use good evidence to support their own positions

A. Describe what you want the Gorge to be like when your children are in high school–say, 15 to 20 years from
now. Consider natural resources, business, housing, recreation, education, tourism, and any other activity or
resource you think is important.

Resource or Activity Condition in 2015-2020 Rationale___

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

B. Now describe what you want the Gorge to be like when your grandchildren are in high school–say, 40 years
from now.

Resource or Activity Condition in 2040 Rationale________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

C. What recommendations would you make to policymakers about how they should manage the Gorge over the
next 40 years? Be specific and support your recommendations with your reasoning.

1. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

7. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

8. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

9. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

10. ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

D. Adjust the map of the Scenic Area and the figures on land use to reflect your recommendations.

Return to Classroom