OAR 350-010-0010. Authority

Sections 4(a)(2)(A), 4(b)(2)(A), and 4(e)(2) of the National Scenic Area Act specify that the boundaries of the National Scenic Area, the special management areas, and urban areas are “generally depicted” on maps that Congress enacted as part of the National Scenic Area Act. The Columbia River Gorge Commission, U.S. Forest Service, and Gorge counties need precise legal boundary descriptions to develop and administer the Management Plan and land use ordinances for the National Scenic Area pursuant to sections 6, 7, and 8 of the National Scenic Area Act. The U.S. Forest Service needs precise legal boundary descriptions before making minor revisions to special management areas pursuant to section 4(c) of the National Scenic Area Act. The Commission needs precise legal descriptions before making minor revisions to the urban area boundaries pursuant to section 4(f) of the National Scenic Area Act. The Commission and U.S. Forest Service therefore have inherent authority to interpret the generally depicted boundaries, consistent with congressional intent, to administer the National Scenic Area Act.