News From Your Friends

What’s on our Radar – Week of August 11th, 2025

August 10, 2025 in General

Tickets for Friends of Clark County’s annual fundraising dinner on September 14th are available now! Read about how important this fundraiser is—especially this year—on the front page of our website here: https://friendsofclarkcounty.org/

  • Last week:
    • At a work session, the Clark County Council was asked for guidance on setting the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target for a draft of climate policy recommendations that will be presented to the public for feedback. They were presented three options:
      • Option 1: Default statewide target (most conservative option), net zero by 2050. Staff recommended this as a placeholder for the draft.
      • Option 2: Net zero by 2045. More ambitious.
      • Option 3: Net zero by 2040 (matching the City of Vancouver. Very ambitious. Staff noted that Option 3 can create more of a sense of urgency and provide more near term benefits, such as better air quality sooner. 

        Councilors Little, Yung, and Belkot (Fuentes not present) directed staff to use Option 1 for the draft (Chair Marshall wanted Option 2, while no one supported the most ambitious Option 3); however, their reasoning made it clear that they were in support of this being the ultimate GHG reduction target—not just the target to be used for the draft. If you want to see the council choose a more ambitious GHG reduction goal for Clark County, you’ll need to make sure they hear from you! Easy contact form available here: https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/write-councilor


        We’ll keep you posted on what’s next for public participation in the climate planning process.

    • At Tuesday’s meeting, the Clark County Council voted to APPROVE the county acquiring 96 acres along the East Fork Lewis River near Lewisville Regional Park to establish an East Fork Lewis River greenway and regional trail, which is a very positive step toward addressing our parks, recreation, and open space deficit (something that FOCC has been sounding the alarm on for a long time). However, this didn’t pass without much concern from multiple councilors about how we might allow the area to be mined for aggregate in the future. Check out the full discussion at https://www.cvtv.org. The conversation starts about 2 hours in.
  • This week:
    • On Wednesday, August 13th at 9am, there are work sessions on the Public Benefit Rating System and proposed fee updates for Land Use/Wetland & Habitat Review Programs. 
    • Wednesday, August 13th at 1pm is Council Time (public comment opportunity on agenda items only). Agenda items of note: 
      • The Dendrophobia timber sale is listed under Policy Updates because it has been issued a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) and is now in its SEPA comment period. As the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) keeps communicating to county staff that Maturation II forests are paused and a new, great forest policy is underway, we see the DNR is not pausing on moving timber sales through the process—a clear indication that they are anticipating that auctions will be permitted at a future date. This is the 3rd timber sale since the Clark County Council heeded the calls of its residents and asked the DNR to stop selling off structurally complex forests on Clark County trust land and start managing them for conservation. While the DNR claims this is Maturation I forest, early conversations with advocates indicate that this sale might actually contain some amount of Maturation II. 
      • There are 3 work session requests: 
  • Commission/advisory board meetings this week:
      • Railroad Advisory Board meeting at 4pm on Monday, August 11th. Note: the agenda includes conversation about the presentation and open house they have been planning to promote the benefits of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad to the public.
      • Parks Advisory Board meeting at 4pm on Tuesday, August 12th. More information here: https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-advisory-board
  • Other happenings:
      • COUNTY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE ON THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Clark County is seeking applicants to fill four positions on the nine-member Clark Communities Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. More information here: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/bpac-members
      • Call for public participation from the City of Vancouver: Provide your comments to shape Vancouver’s plan for growth and development!
        The City of Vancouver is currently updating its comprehensive plan, which influences a lot of things including:
        • How where you live, work, and play in Vancouver could grow and change in the future.
        •  What kinds of housing, jobs, and amenities could be in Vancouver and where they are located.
        • How safe and easy it is to get to different places in Vancouver.
        •  And more!

                               Now is an important time to get involved. Through the state-required environmental process, the City published a                                           report, called a Draft Environmental Impact Statement also known as a Draft EIS, on July 8 for the public to review and                                 comment on. The Draft EIS looks at how different alternatives for how we could grow and develop could affect our                                         community and environment. It’s used to help consider potential impacts of the City of Vancouver’s Comprehensive                                       Plan Update before it is finalized and adopted. How to get involved:

                               Review the alternatives and their potential impacts online.
                               Then, tell the City what you think! The feedback you provide will help shape the final map and plan for Vancouver’s                                       growth and development. If you have questions, please email City staff at OurVancouver2045@cityofvancouver.us.

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