Railroad – Friends of Clark County in SW Washington

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 27, 2024

Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU) Update – February 2024

in Mining, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers, Wildlife Habitats

Quite a bit has happened regarding the railroad since our last newsletter that included a background on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR), and the Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU) controversy, as well as FOCC’s position on the matter. You can read up on those here before reading on for the latest […]

February 26, 2024

Legislative Update – February 2024

in Climate Change, Housing & Transportation, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Responsible Development

The mid-session cutoff in the Washington State Legislature happened on February 13th. This means that the bills that did not get voted out of their chamber of origin are considered dead. There exists a chance for bills to be resurrected in the budget process, but this is rare. Following is an update on bills that […]

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 […]

December 29, 2023

Our Position on the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) and How YOU Can Help

in Farmland & Forests, Mining, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Wildlife Habitats

Friends of Clark County holds that Clark County should take the necessary steps to terminate the existing lease with the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR).

December 29, 2023

Everything you Wish you Knew about the Railroad Controversy in Clark County

in Farmland & Forests, Mining, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Railroad, Wildlife Habitats

History of Freight Rail Dependent Use (FRDU) In 2017, the WA State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5517 allowing development “adjacent” to short line railroads in Clark and Okanogan counties.

May 23, 2023

Comprehensive Plan Update – Spring 2023

in Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Railroad

The County hosted information sessions on the Comp Plan update in late March. These can be viewed on CVTV’s website. Population Forecast The County selected the population growth numbers to be used in planning for growth. Against the advice, if not pleading, of the cities, the County Council chose not to go with the most-likely ‘medium’ number […]

March 18, 2023

Freight Rail Dependent Uses: FRDU

in Railroad, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers

Background In 2018, the state legislature passed HB 5517. This bill included goofy language to limit it to 2 counties, one of which is Clark: any county located west of the Cascade mountains that has a population of at least 400,000 and a border that touches another state. (The other was Okanogan, with an equally odd […]