Near-Victory on Protecting Clark County Resource Lands from Irresponsible Railroad Expansion
Support SB 5820
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
SB 5820, introduced by Senator Adrian Cortes (D-18th District), is a bill that fixes a serious problem created by SB 5517 in 2017 related to irresponsible railroad expansion.
SB 5517 carved out a special exception that allowed industrial development on resource lands and critical areas near a short-line railroad in Clark County — something no other county is allowed to do. SB 5820 repeals that exception and requires Clark County to follow the Growth Management Act, just like every other county in Washington.
In short: There is no valid reason for Clark County to be exempt from protecting farmland, forests, and mineral lands simply because they are “adjacent” to a railroad.
Why this matters:
- Clark County residents overwhelmingly opposed SB 5517. In a 2018 survey, roughly 80% of respondents opposed the proposed rail-related development overlays and the industrial uses they allowed.
- The policy has been unworkable. After eight years and enormous staff time, only one small overlay was approved, and it is unlikely to ever be developed.
- The railroad operator tied to SB 5517 has a documented history of unpermitted and environmentally damaging activities, leading to investigations, stop-work orders, violations, and fines from multiple agencies.
- Support for this bill comes from residents covering a wide range of political views and associations.
Update:
Friends of Clark County and our coalition partners, Chelatchie Prairie Coalition and Friends of Central Vancouver, organized relentlessly around this bill! It has now passed out of both chambers and is on the governor’s desk. FOCC and others have sent letters to Governor Ferguson urging him to sign the bill.