The purposes of sections 544 to 544p of this title are—

(1) to establish a national scenic area to protect and provide for the enhancement of the scenic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge; and

(2) to protect and support the economy of the Columbia River Gorge area by encouraging growth to occur in existing urban areas and by allowing future economic development in a manner that is consistent with paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 99–663, § 3, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4276.)