What’s on our Radar – Week of October 26th, 2026
This week’s Radar offers you an opportunity to engage with multimodal transportation, parks, conservation lands, the Agricultural Advisory Commission, new railroad operator concerns, and more. Plus, be sure to read FOCC’s statement on the Clark County Council’s Final Comp Plan Hearing decisions, including a big thank you to those who engaged in this process and advocated alongside us to protect our home, and what’s next.
THIS WEEK’S RADAR
Our weekly Radar is intended to highlight Clark County meetings and events relevant to Friends of Clark County priorities. This list is not exhaustive. For a full list of Clark County meetings, please visit Clark County Council and Clark County Community Planning on the Clark County website.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
Clark County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting at 6pm: Meeting information
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
Clark County Board of Health meeting at 8:30am: Meeting information
Clark County Council work sessions (after CC BOH meeting)
Clark County Agricultural Advisory Commission meeting at 6pm: Meeting information
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH
Retirement Celebration for Oliver Orjiako at the Public Service Center, sixth floor Training and Hearing Rooms, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver at 3:30pm. Mr. Orjiako has been with Clark County for 37 years, having worked on the original Clark County Comprehensive Plan and every update since.
LAST WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Clark County Council meeting
- Concerned residents who live near agricultural land recently purchased by the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad commented that PVJR has been trying to build a railroad spur across their road and called for accountability
- Solid Waste Code Updates
- Drinking Water Ordinance hearing cancelled and continued to a future date
- Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation with the Cowlitz Tribe, under Jones Creek Fish Passage Design Project approved
- Watch the October 20th Clark County Council meeting recording on CVTV
Clark County Council work sessions
- Washington State University Update
- Discussion of challenges and changes facing universities
- Most attendees of WSU are people already deeply rooted in our community
- WSU has faced significant budget challenges
- Importance of research and innovation at WSU
- Dr. Cheryl Shultz recently helped lead the most comprehensive study ever conducted on butterfly populations in the U.S., finding significant declines in butterfly populations and helping scientists and policy makers understand challenges facing ecosystems and biodiversity. Powerful example of research, conservation, and community collaboration working hand-in-hand
- Dr. Jonah Piova-Scott is leading research on habitat restoration and environmental resilience. Includes partnerships with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and non-profit organizations
- Dr. John Harrison contributed to major study on coastal nutrient pollution and ecosystem health
- Dr. Kevan Moffett is helping us understand the relationships between environmental conditions, community development, and persistent patterns of inequality
- Master Plan framework includes food offerings, transportation infrastructure (such as the Vine on Highway 99), housing, and more
- Watch WSU Update work session recording
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- Amendment regarding disaster recovery recommended to approve
- Watch Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Disaster Recovery Code Update recording
Clark County Council Time
- 2027 Legislative Agenda:
- Capital budget requests:
- Chair Marshall asked whether the Clark County Sheriff was working on a potential new shooting range/training facility location. No sites have been identified, still in preliminary stages and no committee has been put together. Chair Marshall noted, “Just reflecting that they have had a two-year agreement for [Camp] Bonneville and a year of that has passed…”
- Clark County Transportation Alliance 2027 policy statement:
- I5 Bridge Replacement has been moved to a national priority, seeking federal funding
- 2027 Legislative Priorities:
- Housing Trust Fund support for local projects
- Maintenance and funding for 179th street projects
- Metropolitan Parks District legislative change:
- A huge barrier (state RCW) to putting a proposed Metropolitan Parks District expansion onto the ballot as an initiative exists
- Clark County could be a leader in asking to amend
- This legislative change would not expand the Metropolitan Parks District; rather, it would remove the barrier to putting a future expansion proposal (in order to fund our parks system) on the ballot
- Councilor Belkot strongly opposed
- Councilor Yung stated that the Regional Parks Funding Task Team is simply looking at the possibility of allowing the entire county to vote on whether or not they want to expand the Metropolitan Parks District. The restraints are so cumbersome at this point that it would be impossible to do so
- Chair Marshall, Councilor Yung, and Councilor Fuentes support the county lobbyist exploring this issue
- Forest and trust land management, conservation
- No discussion but this topic remains on the list of legislative priorities
- Capital budget requests:
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Greater Brush Prairie Coalition
The Greater Brush Prairie Coalition has formed! If you’re a Brush Prairie neighbor, you may want to check out their new Facebook group
Take Clark County Parks and Nature’s Online Parks Survey: Open Through Nov. 1st
Clark County Public Works, Parks and Nature, invites the public to help shape the future of the county’s parks, trails and natural areas by
taking an online survey, available through Nov. 1. The survey is part of the county’s update of the Clark County Parks and Natural Areas System Plan. Respondents who complete the survey can enter to win one of five $50 gift cards. The survey is available at clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-plan, now through Nov. 1.
Friends of Clark County
Subscribe to FOCC’s newsletter
News From Your Friends
Friends of Clark County
Clark County Calendar of Land Use Activities
This great public resource compiled by FOCC’s own Jackie Lane tracks Clark County’s land use activities in a publicly available document. Make sure to bookmark it!
Friends of Clark County
Support Friends of Clark County
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See you next week!
FOCC Community Outreach