Apply for the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee

February 9, 2021

Multnomah County is looking for community members to volunteer as a member of the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee. The committee advises the State of Oregon on issues relating to the Columbia River Highway and the Historic Highway State Trail, including: funding, prioritization, design details, long-range planning, and congestion solutions. The committee has 10 members, including six members from the community, two from Multnomah, Hood River, and Wasco Counties – one from each appointed by the Governor, and one from their respective County Commission. The remaining members include the Transportation Department Director, the Parks and Recreation Department Director, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Tourism Commission Chief Executive Officer, or their delegates.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion by identifying and addressing systemic barriers to ensure all Oregonians benefit from transportation services and investments. ODOT is committed to utilizing the viewpoints of those who reside in the communities ODOT serves and who are likely to be affected by the decisions ODOT makes. Youth, people with disabilities, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are encouraged to apply. Please contact Multnomah County (Dani Bernstein, Office of Community Involvement Director, (503) 988-7903, dani.bernstein@multco.us) or ODOT (Terra Lingley, National Scenic Area Coordinator (503) 351-0420 terra.m.lingley@odot.state.or.us) for questions about the application and selection process.

Background

This is a committee convened by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to advise on and support policy matters related to the Historic Columbia River Highway Program.

These include:

  • Policy matters pertaining to the preservation and restoration of the Historic Columbia River Highway
  • Review the historic road program and ongoing management and submit recommendations to the Directors of ODOT and OPRD
  • Review proposed highway related activities and other public actions, except for routine highway maintenance, which may affect the historic integrity, continuity, scenic values, and public access and public recreational opportunities and submit recommendations
  • When appropriate, recommend that a public hearing be held for actions or projects that significantly affect the Historic Columbia River Highway

Commitment

The Committee meets a minimum of four times a year, and a term is four years starting on July 1 of the year of appointment. Online meetings are approximately two hours in length via Zoom. When in-person meetings resume, locations will rotate through Gorge Communities between Troutdale and The Dalles, and are approximately four hours in length, not including travel time. When appropriate, ODOT provides lunch at in-person meetings. Members are eligible for reimbursement for mileage only, as provided by ORS 292.495 (2). All meetings are during the day on weekdays, though timing may be adjusted due to member scheduling conflicts. Committee members are expected to review meeting materials prior to the meeting, attend and provide feedback and input on items on the agenda, and act as an ambassador and supporter for the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail.

Members of the committee are encouraged to:

  • Share their personal and/or professional experiences of living, working, traveling, or spending time along or near the Historic Columbia River Highway.
  • Attend/participate in transportation and park project development committee meetings,
  • Occasionally represent the Advisory Committee in public forums,
  • Be available to support other Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee activities, including work sessions, subcommittees and presentations, and
  • Participate in additional meetings with the Oregon Transportation Commission, OPRD Commission, Tourism Commission, Columbia Gorge Commission, County Commissions and City Councils.

How To Apply

Applications must be received by Friday, February 26, 2021 at 5pm. If you are sending your application via US mail, please put it in the mail at least a week in advance to ensure that it is received by our office before the deadline.