News From Your Friends – Page 12 – Friends of Clark County in SW Washington

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 […]

February 26, 2024

Camp Bonneville: Safety, Transparency, and Accessible Parks

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

Camp Bonneville is a 3,840-acre property located in the foothills of the Cascade Range about 7 miles north of the Columbia River in East County that was used as a military training camp for 85 years. Currently, it is not open to the public, is largely undeveloped, and over half of it is forested. After […]

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.

December 28, 2023

Growth Management and Comprehensive Plan Update – December 2023

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Housing & Transportation, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Responsible Development, Wildlife Habitats

Turning Long-Range Planning into Current Reality Over the next 18 months, Clark County will be updating its Comprehensive Plan as required by the Growth Management Act (GMA). Thirty years ago, Clark County engaged residents in its first long-range planning effort.

December 28, 2023

Cultivating prosperity: the call for code changes to support Clark County’s small farms

in Farmland & Forests, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations

Our guest article comes from Mark Lopez of Gather and Feast Farm in La Center, WA. Mark is a farmer, caterer, and an advocate for agriculture in Clark County.

May 23, 2023

Can Local Land Use Policy Save the Bees?

in Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Rivers, Lakes & Aquifers, Wildlife Habitats

We’ve all heard the slogan “Save the Bees,” but what does it actually mean? And what can we actually do to save them? And what on earth does it have to do with something as wonky as local land use policy? Well, today, let’s tackle answering all those questions and help move your knowledge beyond […]