40.240.890 General Management Areas Recreation Resource Review Criteria
Each Recreation Intensity Class includes a description of the desired social, physical and managerial setting for recreation development within each Recreation Intensity Class. Each Recreation Intensity Class also includes a list of allowable uses, subject to compliance with Sections 40.240.890(D) and (E).
A. Recreation Intensity Class 1 – Very Low Intensity.
1. 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 are low throughout the designation. Perceived crowdedness is low to non-existent away from roads and recreation sites. Visitor encounters and perceived crowdedness is low to moderate at or near (within one (1) mile) roads and recreation sites.
2. Physical and Managerial Setting. Predominately natural or natural appearing landscapes with rustic improvements characterize this designation. Nodes of developed recreation facilities are allowed. Developed recreation site regulations and controls (signing, regulations or other regimentation) are noticeable but harmonize with the natural environment. Away from developed recreation sites there is minimal or subtle control of users.
3. Trail development is simple and typically accommodates low use levels. Users are highly skilled with a high degree of orienteering skills.
4. The following uses may be permitted:
a. Parking areas, not to exceed a site-wide capacity of ten (10) vehicles, when associated with any allowed uses in Recreation Intensity Class 1; accommodations for mass transportation facilities should be considered where compatible with the social and physical settings;
b. Trails for hiking, equestrian and mountain biking use;
c. Pathways for pedestrian and bicycling use;
d. Trailheads (with provisions for hitching rails and equestrian trailers at trailheads accommodating equestrian use);
e. Scenic viewpoints and overlooks;
f. Wildlife and botanical viewing and nature study areas;
g. River access areas;
h. Boat docks, piers or wharves;
i. Picnic areas; and
j. Restrooms and comfort facilities.
B. Recreation Intensity Class 2 – Low Intensity.
1. Social Setting. RIC 2 is characterized by opportunities to experience relaxation, physical fitness and outdoor learning and where there is a moderate probability to experience solitude. Typically encounters with other visitors throughout the designation are low to moderate. Visitor encounters are low to moderate on trails and away from developed recreation sites and roads, and moderate to high near (within one (1) mile) recreation sites and roads.
2. 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) are noticeable but harmonize with the natural environment. Away from developed recreation sites there is minimal or subtle control of users.
3. 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 advanced skills.
4. The following uses may be permitted:
a. All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Class 1;
b. Parking areas, not to exceed a site-wide capacity of twenty-five (25) vehicles, when associated with any allowed uses in Recreation Intensity Class 2; parking spaces for campground units shall be included in this number. Accommodations for mass transportation facilities should be considered where compatible with the social and physical settings;
c. Boat ramps, not to exceed two (2) lanes; and
d. Campgrounds for twenty (20) units or less, tent sites only.
C. Recreation Intensity Class 3 – Moderate Intensity.
1. 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.
2. Physical and Managerial Setting. Changes to the natural landscape may be evident but in harmony with 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 characteristics of the landscape.
3. 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.
4. The following uses may be permitted:
a. All uses permitted in Recreation Intensity Classes 1 and 2;
b. Parking areas, not to exceed a site-wide capacity of seventy-five (75) vehicles, when associated with any allowed uses in Recreation Intensity Class 3. Parking spaces for campground units shall be included in this number;
c. 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 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;
d. Boat ramps, not to exceed three (3) lanes;
e. Concessions stands, consistent with the following:
(1) Private concessions and other commercial uses at public recreation sites may be allowed pursuant to adopted policies of the public agency owning or managing the site. If a different agency manages the site, that agency’s policies shall apply, unless superseded by provisions of the owning agency’s policies.
(2) For commercial recreation sites and public recreation sites not owned or managed by a public park agency with adopted concession policies, the following policies shall apply:
(a) Retail sales at campgrounds shall be limited to camping supplies for overnight guests in dedicated space within the registration or central office building.
(b) Private concessions in permanent structures shall be limited to one (1) structure per park site. Sales shall be limited to those items necessary for enjoyment and use of recreation opportunities at the site, including food and beverages and recreation equipment rental.
(c) Mobile vendors may be permitted, subject to responsible official or examiner approvals. This review shall address solid waste disposal, visual impacts of signs, traffic circulation, and safety. Such uses shall be limited to the term of the recreation season, and sales shall be limited to food and beverages and recreation equipment rental; and
f. Campgrounds for fifty (50) individual units or less for tents and recreational vehicles, with a total density of no more than ten (10) units per acre (density to be measured based on total size of recreation facility and may include required buffer and setback areas). Class 3 campgrounds may also include one (1) group campsite area, in addition to the individual campground units or parking area maximums allowed as described herein.
D. Approval Criteria for Recreation Uses.
All proposed recreation projects outside of Public Recreation zones shall comply with Sections 40.240.800 through 40.240.900, and shall satisfy the following:
1. Cumulative effects of proposed recreation projects on landscape settings shall be based on Section 40.240.800(C).
2. For proposed recreation projects in or adjacent to lands zoned Gorge Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture, or Gorge Small Woodland:
a. The use would not seriously interfere with accepted forest or agricultural practices on surrounding lands devoted to forest or farm uses. Provision of on-site buffers may be used to partially or fully comply with this criterion, depending upon project design and site conditions.
b. A declaration has been signed by the project applicant or owner and recorded with county deeds and records specifying that the applicant or owner is aware that operators are entitled to carry on accepted forest or farm practices on lands zoned Gorge Large-Scale or Small-Scale Agriculture or Gorge Small Woodland.
3. For proposed projects including facilities for outdoor fires for cooking or other purposes or proposed campgrounds: The project applicant shall demonstrate that a sufficient quantity of water necessary for fire suppression (as determined pursuant to applicable fire codes or the county fire marshal) is readily available to the proposed facility, either through connection to a community water system or on-site wells, storage tanks, sumps, ponds or similar storage devices. If connection to a community water system is proposed, the project applicant shall demonstrate that the water system has adequate capacity to meet the facility’s emergency fire suppression needs without adversely affecting the remainder of the water system with respect to fire suppression capabilities. In addition, in order to provide access for fire-fighting equipment, access drives shall be constructed to a minimum of twelve (12) feet in width and a maximum grade of twelve percent (12%). Access drives shall be maintained to a level that is passable to fire-fighting equipment.
4. Trail or trailhead projects shall comply with the following:
a. Where applicable, new trails should incorporate existing segments of older or historic trails, abandoned roads and railroad rights-of-way, and other previously developed areas suitable for recreation use to the maximum extent practicable.
b. Trails that are intended for multiple user groups shall be required to post signs at trailheads alerting users that multiple user groups may be present on the trail. Trails shall be designed such that user conflicts and safety issues are minimized.
c. Applications for new trails or trailheads shall include measures to minimize the potential spread of noxious weeds.
d. Applications for new trails or trailheads shall consider the potential of fire risk during critical fire hazard periods in developing the physical and managerial setting of the site.
5. For proposed projects providing recreation access to the Columbia River or its tributaries: applicants shall demonstrate that the new facility is consistent with and does not affect or modify tribal treaty rights.
6. For proposed projects on public lands or proposed projects providing access to the Columbia River or its tributaries: compliance with the guidelines.
7. For proposed projects which include interpretation of natural or cultural resources: a demonstration that the interpretive facilities will not adversely affect natural or cultural resources and that appropriate and necessary resource protection measures shall be employed.
8. Applications for public recreation development in Recreation Intensity Class 3 shall demonstrate how the proposed recreation development will be equitable and accessible (regardless of income level, ethnicity, gender, ability, or age). Applications for public recreation development in RIC 1 and 2 shall meet this standard to the maximum extent practicable.
9. Applications shall demonstrate compliance with the social, physical and managerial setting characteristics in the applicable Recreation Intensity Class description.
E. Facility Design Guidelines for All Recreation Projects.
1. Recreation facilities which are not resource-based in nature may be included at sites providing resource-based recreation uses consistent with the guidelines contained herein, as long as such facilities comprise no more than one third (1/3) of the total land area dedicated to recreation uses or facilities. Required landscaped buffers may be included in calculations of total land area dedicated to recreation uses or facilities.
2. The facility design guidelines contained herein are intended to apply to individual recreation facilities. To be considered a separate facility from other developments or improvements within the same recreation intensity class, recreation developments or improvements must be separated by at least one-quarter (1/4) mile of undeveloped land (excluding trails, pathways, or access roads).
3. Existing vegetation, particularly mature trees, shall be maintained to the maximum extent practicable. These trees may be utilized to satisfy requirements for perimeter and interior landscaped buffers.
4. Parking areas providing over fifty (50) spaces shall be divided into discrete “islands” separated by unpaved, landscaped buffer areas.
5. Lineal frontage of parking areas and campsite loops to scenic travel corridors shall be minimized to the greatest extent practicable.
6. Ingress and egress points shall be consolidated to the maximum extent practicable, providing for adequate emergency access pursuant to applicable fire and safety codes.
7. Signs shall be limited to those necessary to provide relevant recreation or facility information, interpretive information, vehicular and pedestrian direction, and for safety purposes.
8. Innovative designs and materials which reduce visual impacts (such as “turf blocks” instead of conventional asphalt paving) shall be encouraged through incentives such as additional allowable parking spaces and reduced required minimum interior or perimeter landscaped buffers. Upon determination that potential visual impacts have been substantially reduced by use of such designs and materials, the responsible official or examiner may allow either reductions in required minimum interior or perimeter landscape buffers up to fifty percent (50%) of what would otherwise be required, or additional parking spaces not to exceed ten percent (10%) of what would otherwise be permitted.
9. A majority of trees, shrubs and other plants in landscaped areas shall be species native to the landscape setting in which they occur. The landscape setting descriptions and design guidelines are found in Section 40.240.800(C). Project applicants that are required to use new landscaping are encouraged to place trees, shrubs and other plants in a manner approximating their natural condition.
10. For any parking area with over fifty (50) spaces, interior landscaped buffers breaking up continuous areas of parking into discrete “islands” shall be provided. The minimum width of interior landscaped buffers between each parking lot of fifty (50) spaces or less shall be twenty (20) feet.
11. Grading or soil compaction within the drip line of existing mature trees shall be avoided to the maximum extent practicable, to reduce risk of root damage and associated tree mortality.
12. Project applicants shall utilize measures and equipment necessary for the proper maintenance and survival of all vegetation utilized to meet the landscape guidelines contained herein, and shall be responsible for such maintenance and survival.
13. All parking areas shall be set back from property boundaries by at least fifty (50) feet. All campsites and associated facilities shall be set back from property boundaries by at least one hundred (100) feet.
(Amended: Ord. 2006-05-04; Ord. 2021-12-02)