Climate Change – Friends of Clark County in SW Washington

June 10, 2024

Our Comments for Clark County’s Environmental Impact Scoping on the Comprehensive Plan Update

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems, Mining, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Railroad, Responsible Development, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers, Wildlife Habitats

FOCC agrees the comprehensive plan, and the development it could authorize, is likely to have many different and significant probable adverse impacts on the environment and, thus, agree with the County’s determination that an EIS is required. FOCC agrees with Futurewise that building for growth cannot take precedence over the need for maintaining, protecting, and […]

May 20, 2024

June Forum – Save the Date!

in Climate Change, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems

On Thursday, June 20th from 5 – 6:30 pm, we will be hosting a companion forum titled Returning To Local Food Production In The Era Of Climate Change. We will have more information about panelists, topics, and how to RSVP in your inbox soon—but for now, SAVE THE DATE!

May 19, 2024

It’s All Connected: The Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU), the Chelatchie Bluff Mine, Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR), and the Climate Crisis

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Railroad, Responsible Development

(Photo of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad from Clark County today) Please use this information about the heavy industrial railroad and mining expansion plan to craft your letters and public testimony to the Clark County Council and wherever else you can amplify your opposition to the plan, such as Letters-to-the-Editor of the Columbian and the Reflector, […]

May 19, 2024

Once in a Decade: Clark County’s Comprehensive Plan Update

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, General, Housing & Transportation, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces

Photo from Clark County government In addition to the Site Specific Requests, which are a major priority and focus for Friends of Clark County, The Comprehensive Plan Update has been underway at the County. Population and Employment Allocation: The County has been addressing this phase of the Comp Plan for some time, with hearings and […]

May 19, 2024

How Green Spaces Disappear Before Our Very Eyes: Site Specific Requests

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces

Most of us don’t see Site Specific Requests, nor are we aware of this process that can result in the loss of acres and acres of beautiful, soil-rich, productive agricultural land and carbon-sequestering forest lands in Clark County. As part of the Comprehensive Planning process, the County accepts site specific requests from landowners hoping to […]

May 10, 2024

FOCC asks Clark County to take important steps in management of Camp Bonneville

in Accountability, Climate Change, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers

FOCC asks the County to permanently close the Camp Bonneville shooting range, establish a permanent Camp Bonneville Citizens Advisory Group (CAG), and establish a Camp Bonneville Safety Evaluation Panel (SEP) which will allow the county to regain control of and properly manage the property in order to protect the health, safety, well-being, and interests of […]

April 23, 2024

Read About our Priorities on Housing in the Comp Plan Update

in Accountability, Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Housing & Transportation, Local Food Systems, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations

We provided public comment at the Population, Housing, and Employment Hearing today emphasizing two important points: 1) Nothing in the current studies, reviews, or discussions justifies any urban growth area (UGA) expansions. This position has been echoed by Clark County’s cities and by Community Development. Although both the Department of Commerce and Community […]

April 23, 2024

Clark County Needs an Agricultural Commission

in Climate Change, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems

Over the past several years, members of the farming community, including Friends of Clark County, Clark/Cowlitz Farm Bureau, local farmers market organizers, and the Clark Conservation District have expressed to Clark County the need for agricultural interests to be represented in Clark County government. Currently, there are NO voices representing the agricultural community while the […]

March 15, 2024

Preserving Farming and Local Food in Clark County: March 2024 Forum

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Events & Fundraising, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Responsible Development, Wildlife Habitats

Thanks to all who attended our March 2024 Forum on Preserving Farming and Local Food in Clark County! And thank you again to our knowledgeable panelists! In case you missed it, or in case you want to go back and review all the great information that was shared, you can view the recording here: And […]

February 28, 2024

Join us for our upcoming forum: Preserving Farmland and Local Food Access in Clark County

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Events & Fundraising, Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems

Forum Date and Time: March 14th, 2024 from 5 – 6:30 pm Pacific Time Location: Remote Only via Zoom; Register on Eventbrite Join Friends of Clark County for a panel discussion on the importance of preserving farmland and access to local food in Clark County. Farmland is being lost throughout the United States, but Clark […]