FILE - An undated Oregon Field Guide image of a barge navigating the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
Oregon Field Guide / OPB
The Columbia River Gorge Commission oversees land use and stewards both economic development and conservation efforts within the National Scenic Area. Robert Liberty served as the Multnomah County appointee to the commission since 2015, and was most recently reappointed in 2023. But he resigned earlier this year with more than a year to go in his term, citing “the gentrification of working lands with luxury homesites for the wealthy” and “the anti-conservation, pro-development interest of some of the Commission members,” among other reasons.
Liberty joins us with more details on his decision to resign and his concerns about “growing threats to the Gorge.” We’re also joined by Alex Johnson, chair of the Gorge Commission’s Executive Committee, to get his perspective and learn more about the commission’s work.
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