The Dalles City Council decided it would be best to work with Oregon’s Congressional delegation to try to make changes in the City’s urban growth boundary rather than continue to wait on the Columbia River Gorge Commission.  The City has expressed an interest in getting Gorge Commission approval for a boundary expansion for nearly a decade, particularly in regards to expanding the City’s supply of buildable lands to meet a state-required 20 years of need.  Mayor Steve Lawrence says it’s become apparent Congressional action is their best option.  But Lawrence does add some of the urgency behind the initial request has eased, noting they have an agreement with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development that the 20-year requirement isn’t reasonable given the Gorge Commission situation, and the City is working to increase density and be more efficient in using the land that is available.