Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces – 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 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 4, 2024

FBI Shooting Range at Camp Bonneville – Position Statement

in Accountability, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations

We urge that Council and staff take the necessary steps to address the lack of transparency and record keeping with county contracts, specifically regarding the Camp Bonneville FBI shooting range, as well as multiple instances in which false information has been presented to Council and the public. The following provides a thorough explanation of the […]

April 4, 2024

Transparency for the Camp Bonneville Community Advisory Group (CAG) – Position Statement

in Accountability, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers

After attending the March 20th Camp Bonneville Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting and learning of subsequent developments regarding Camp Bonneville, we’d like to reiterate old concerns and express new ones, all falling under the theme of transparency. They are as follows: 1) Spoken Public Testimony and the Uniqueness of the Proposed Charter: When asked about […]

April 3, 2024

Consolidated Report: Chelatchie Bluff Mine and Surrounding Industrial Plan

in Accountability, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Mining, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers, Wildlife Habitats

Over the past 18 months, experts in the fields of hydrology, fish and wildlife, forestry, geology, and hydraulic engineering have collaborated to consolidate a report on the proposed surface mining on Chelatchie Bluff and the surrounding areas. The author and contributors conclude that should the Chelatchie Bluff mine be able to expand, it would mean […]

February 26, 2024

Responsible Planning for Growth: The 2025 Comprehensive Plan – February 2024 update

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Housing & Transportation, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Responsible Development

What is the Comp Plan? The Growth Management Act (GMA) was adopted in 1990 to address growth in Washington State. Cities in counties over a certain size must do periodic Comp Plan updates in accordance with the GMA, while smaller counties may choose to do so. Cities within a county that plans under the GMA […]

February 26, 2024

Heritage Farm Sustainability Plan: Reconsider in Light of Climate Change and the Public Good

in Climate Change, Farmland & Forests, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations

Heritage Farm is a 79-acre historic poor farm owned by Clark County and located just off of 78th Street in Hazel Dell. It is the site of many wonderful agricultural projects, mostly run by WSU Clark County Extension, including programs for agricultural research and education, food preservation, and health and wellness. In addition, rental garden […]