The resort would be built around a $9-million golf course andconference facilities for 500 on 440 acres between Ashford andElbe, along Highway 706. Plans also include a 270-room lodge, 300vacation homes, a retail center, a train station and aninterpretive center. Advocates argue the upscale resort will boostthe rural economy with new jobs. Critics say the resort is too muchfor the rural area, and would displace a huge elk herd that winterson a roadside pasture.

The attorney for the critics is asking Causseaux to reject asinsufficient an environmental report on ways the resort could dealwith volcanic eruptions and other problems, including a lack ofproper water and fire services. The attorney for developer ParkJunction Partners argued the report thoroughly covers theenvironmental issues, and that the developers will work out watersupply problems with the state Department of Ecology and pay theirfair share of fire protection costs.

Park Junction Partners consists of Gayle and Cora Adams of Elbeand Portland contractor Selwyn Bingham. They began the ParkJunction resort effort in 1994. A decision is expected inOctober.