The Community Action Team of The Dalles made its biannual trip to Washington, D.C. last month.  The group made up of representatives from various governmental agencies makes the journey to keep local projects and needs on the radar for federal assistance.  Part of the goal of this trip was to emphasize getting two million dollars earmarked for economic development when the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area when it was established in 1986 to the states.  Port of The Dalles Executive Director Andrea Klaas says impacts of the Eagle Creek Fire might be helping move those funds out.  But a challenge in getting the funds is waiting for high-level administration positions to be filled so agencies can move ahead with their plans.