The Working Group is a discussion body that helps the project team conducting the environmental review. As leaders and well-informed representatives, Working Group members will provide guidance and information to the project team (Port of Hood River staff and consultants) on key inputs to the analysis and recommendations as the environmental document is developed. The project team will work with Working Group members throughout the process to ensure that ideas and concerns are understood and considered as alternatives or options are developed. Project staff will explain how input from the Working Group and community members informed the recommendations in the environmental review documents before a Record of Decision is issued.
Working Group Scope
The scope for Working Group discussions is consistent with the scope of work for the consulting team supporting the analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and includes the following:
What’s in
NEPA PROCESS
- Refinement of the preferred alternative and environmental analysis previously prepared in the 2003 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
- Community engagement
- Process to address substantive changes to the previously identified preferred alternative (Alternative EC-2)
What’s out
- Substantive change in previously identified preferred alternative corridor and/or alignment
- New bridge governance
- Toll rates and revenue for the new bridge
Working Group Meetings
The Working Group meets on either side of the river about once per quarter. For upcoming meetings, check the calendar in the sidebar to the left.
Working Group Members
Betty Barnes, Mayor, City of Bingen
Brian Shortt, Commissioner, Port of Hood River
David Poucher, Mayor, City of White Salmon
Jon Davies, Member, ODOT Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation
Lorrie DeKay, Commissioner, Columbia River Gorge Commission
Marc Thornsbury, Executive Director, Port of Klickitat
Peter Cornelison, Councilor, City of Hood River
Matt Ransom, Executive Director, SW Washington Regional Transportation Council
Rex Johnston, Commissioner, Klickitat County
Rich McBride, Commissioner, Hood River County
