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Proposed Broughton Landing Resort

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Sept. 14, 2007 Update

We want to hear from you! Please read the two statements below (for and against the proposed resort) and review the current proposal online. The Columbia River Gorge Commission has released the draft language for the plan amendment, and is taking public comment until October 1st. You can read the draft language online. Once you’ve read the statements and viewed the proposal online, please help us represent the windsurfing community by completing this brief 2-question survey.

CGWA is Pro-Recreation!

In order to best preserve and improve the recreational resources at the Hatchery, the CGWA Board of Directors is taking a pro-recreation stance for the future of the Hatchery, and remaining neutral on the actual Broughton Landing Proposal.

What is CGWA doing to preserve and enhance the recreation resources at the Hatchery?

By continually engaging in discussions and negotiations with both the developer and the Columbia River Gorge Commission, CGWA is helping to influence decisions that may impact the future of the Hatchery. Here is how we’ve been involved:

  • Providing recreational feedback at meetings of the Broughton landing Resort advisory committee.
  • Working with the Columbia River Gorge Commission to ensure that preservation of the recreation site is top priority
  • Keeping communication paths open between CGWA and both the developer and the Gorge Commission to ensure continued discussion of recreation priorities and amenities

Why isn’t CGWA taking a stance for or against the proposed resort?

Many of the details and conditions for the development are fluid and continually changing. By maintaining a position as an engaged organization, the Board of Directors hopes to influence the negotiations and protect the interests of the windsurfing community at the Hatchery. Our priority concerns are: parking, access, crowding on the water, and Columbia River water quality. By staying engaged and involved in discussions, CGWA is influencing decisions related to these issues.

Opinion statements on the resort proposal:

Broughton Landing enhances windsurfing
By Mike Usen, SE Groups

Like it or not, change will occur in the Gorge, and the long abandoned Broughton Mill site is no exception. The question is how to design change in a way that maximizes benefits local windsurfing while minimizing impacts.

Overview

The Broughton Lumber Mill site was originally zoned Commercial Recreation due to its proximity to superb windsurfing and excellent potential for a recreation based resort. Because the Hatch is such a special windsurfing area, Broughton’s owners have pledged not just to protect recreation, but to enhance windsurfing. Consistent with this pledge, Broughton has repeatedly sought the advice of local windsurfers and the CGWA in project design and is working with Washington State Parks to improve windsurfing. As a result, the Broughton Landing proposal includes the following enhancements to windsurfing.

  1. Preventing Overcrowding - A private launch known as Broughton Beach located mid-way between the Hatch and Swell City will provide a launch site for the 30% of resort guests likely to windsurf. In order to draw resort guests away from public launch sites at the Hatch, Broughton Beach will be more convenient and have superb launching and storage facilities for resort guests. Because most sailors sail close to their launch, and most resort guests will launch at Broughton Beach, neither the Hatch nor Swell City are expected to see significant additional crowding from the resort.

  2. Improved Safety and Expanded Hatch Parking - Approximately 100 stalls of public parking are proposed for the north side of SR 14 connected to the Hatch by a pedestrian underpass. This additional parking will not only improve public safety but also provide spectators a place to park outside of the Hatch. Turnout lanes for improved traffic safety will also be required. To facilitate transport of gear to rigging areas, gear dollies, lockers and other options will be explored.

  3. Preserving & Expanding the Hatch- Broughton Landing will not reduce public access at the Hatchery State Park. Broughton Landing, State Parks, and USFWS are working together to expand the park eastward to provide new launch areas into the unused public shoreline east of the Hatch.

  4. Irrigation for the Hatch- If feasible, Broughton Landing will provide a source of reclaimed water to Park managers for irrigation of rigging areas and other portions of the Hatch to keep the park green during maximum windsurfing activity.

  5. Protecting Water Quality- As a sustainable resort, Broughton Landing will employ state-of-the art wastewater treatment technology that prevents discharge of contaminants into the river. The proposed wastewater treatment will provide superior treatment to municipal systems such as those currently employed by Hood River and Cascade Locks.

  6. Solving RV Problem - To address overcrowding of the Hatch by RVs, the eastern end of Broughton Landing Resort will be developed as an RV campground connected to the Hatch. This will likely occur in Phase 1.

  7. Convenient New Services for Windsurfers - A convenient general store/coffee shop/pub would provide the windsurfing community with a socializing spot and appropriate refreshments before and after sailing.

  8. Preventing Wind Shadow - No new large buildings are proposed upwind of the Columbia River.

  9. Preserving Cheap Beach- Public access to nearby “Cheap Beach” will not be affected by Broughton Landing.

For more information, go to: www.broughtonlanding.com.

The Hatchery does not benefit from Broughton Landing
By Kelley Beamer, Friends of the Columbia Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a national treasure because of its outstanding recreation opportunities and scenic values. Few windsurfing destinations in the world provide the optimal conditions of the Hatchery, distinguishing it as a key recreational resources protected by the National Scenic Area Act.

Right now, the Broughton Lumber Company is proposing a huge destination resort with 245 vacation homes, full-time residences and commercial retail businesses adjacent to The Hatchery State Park and windsurfing site. This is the largest development ever proposed in the National Scenic Area (outside of urban areas) since the passage of the National Scenic Area Act in 1986. Locating an urban-scale resort at Broughton Landing would lead to more over-crowding and diminish the experience of sailing the Hatchery by introducing more crowds, more cars, dangerous traffic conditions and a new source of urban storm water run-off.

Broughton Landing is already zoned "Commercial Recreation," which allows up to 175 camping/RV sites, 25 cabins or 35 clustered units, and some small-scale commercial uses. The Hatchery State Park draws thousands of windsurfers each year and a large camping facility or small-scale resort, as currently allowed, would better serve a public’s needs over a private, high-end, urban-scale resort.

Any development on Broughton Landing should protect and enhance the Hatchery for the benefit of the public. A private destination resort, with nearly ten times the amount of development that is currently allowed, does not serve a public need and does not protect the phenomenal recreational experience of sailing the Hatch.

More information from CGWA, June 2007

What is Broughton Landing Resort?

Broughton Landing Resort is the name of a proposed development near the Hatchery. 

The Broughton Lumber Company owns the old mill to the north of the Hatchery, across the SR 14 highway.  The company would like to develop this mill complex into a recreation resort.  See the map of the current resort proposal and the development is laid out on their website at www.broughtonlanding.com.

Is Broughton Landing Resort really going to be built?

It’s too early to tell.  The current zoning restricts the development of large scale resorts, so the company has requested an amendment to the zoning from the Columbia River Gorge Commission.  The Gorge Commission is currently considering this request.

What is CGWA doing?

CGWA served on the recreation panel at a Gorge Commission workshop to make sure that windsurfing concerns were raised.  Specifically, the concerns CGWA has heard and raised include:

  • SR 14 traffic
  • Parking
  • Water discharge issues
  • Crowding on the water at the Hatchery

Is it true that CGWA has endorsed Broughton Landing?

No.  CGWA has served on the proposal’s advisory committee to ensure that windsurfing concerns are voiced; however, at this point CGWA does not support or oppose the proposal.

What can I do?

Please send your written comments to the Gorge Commission now, while they are considering zoning amendments.

Gorge Commission
PO Box 730
White Salmon, WA. 98672

If you'd like CGWA to be aware of your view, please send us a copy as well.

Where can I learn more?

Check the Gorge Commission’s FAQ.

Past Articles and Information

Several Articles at New West Columbia and White Salmon Enterprise:

April 2006

Overview

CGWA is serving on the advisory committee for the proposed resort across the highway from the Hatchery. From the beginning we have stressed our concerns regarding overcrowding of the Hatchery parking areas, rigging areas and water. The Broughton Landing Resort developers will be meeting with the CGWA Board of Directors in May and will present their project in more detail.

History and Additional Information

Some time in the late 1980’s, the Broughton Resort was proposed. The Gorge Commission nixed the plan as too dense...too many homes, condos, etc. (I believe I’m stating that correctly.) In the fall of 2004, the project resurfaced. The proposed resort developers and owners met with the CGWA Board of Directors. At that time the Board issued a letter to the owners neither supporting nor opposing the project. Some time after that a new firm was hired to develop the resort project, and CGWA began to serve on the advisory committee along with the Gorge Commission, Friends of the Gorge, Skamania County folks, WA Parks and other entities. Each group voiced their own concerns and suggestions during the meetings. The developers tried to meet their concerns changing their plans accordingly. Not all parties are sufficiently satisfied.

Recently, the developers went before the Gorge Commission to discuss the possibility of an amendment to the Scenic Area Management Plan. They have not as yet filed that application for an amendment.

A pre-application conference is scheduled for May 3rd at the Commission office. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss “a” destination resort in the Gorge and phase development plans. Does “a” destination resort belong in the Gorge?...not specifically Broughton Landing Resort, but any resort. This conference is open to the public.

The Broughton Landing Resort developers will be meeting with the CGWA Board of Directors again in May and will present their project in more detail fielding questions and answering the Board’s concerns.

Other Opportunities for Information

For more information on the proposed resort, go to these web sites: