News From Your Friends – Page 14 – Friends of Clark County in SW Washington

May 23, 2023

Spring 2023 Legislative Recap

in Climate Change, Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Housing & Transportation, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations

Two bills that our friends at Futurewise were championing this year passed, hurray! HB 1181 was signed into law, adding climate change considerations into the Growth Management Act (GMA). This requires Comprehensive Plans to include considerations both for Climate resilience (think wildfires, flooding, heat, sea level rise…) and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled. […]

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 […]

May 23, 2023

Farmer’s Corner – 2023 Clark County Farm Survey

in Farmland & Forests, Local Food Systems

Preserving farmland here in Clark County is critical to our mission at Friends of Clark County. We also work to ensure access to local food by educating people about the urgency of developing a resilient local food economy that supports local farmers and ranchers. We are asking farmers to complete our 2023 Clark County Farm Survey that […]

May 23, 2023

The Value of Engagement

in Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Responsible Development

For those of us who have been watching the County lately, we know that the County is working on its every 10-year Comprehensive Plan Update. This is a blueprint of sorts that will define our growth for the next 20 years. Many prospective buyers will refer to the “Growth Management Plan” prior to buying a […]

May 23, 2023

An Observer’s View of Growth Management in Clark County

in Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Responsible Development

Clark County has been involved with growth management since the mid-1990’s. In the first Community Framework Plan(1993), surveys were conducted that allowed citizens to express their preferred approaches to growth. They were identified in a “Hometown” concept, expressing the following: Preservation of open space; A compact development pattern with employment, shopping, and a choice of […]

May 23, 2023

The Great Migration is Underway!

in Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Wildlife Habitats

Millions of birds are flying across our night skies each night on their great migration north – traveling the Pacific flyway to their summer homes. Audubon societies across the country are encouraging residents to go “Lights Out” in order to ensure that birds aren’t thrown off their migratory path by light pollution. Outdoor lighting can […]

May 23, 2023

GiveBIG Spring Photo Contest Winner

in Events & Fundraising

Our first GiveBIG was a success! Thanks to the Board match, we raised over $5,000. We appreciate every single donor; for it is folks like you who will stand up with us for the sound land use policies we need. The Spring photo contest winner, a 25 year Clark County resident originally from Eugene Oregon, Lisa Henry […]

May 23, 2023

Helping Kids Plant Their Own Seeds of Responsible Growth

in Events & Fundraising

Well they were technically Sunflower and Zinnia seeds provided by the great MoMo Flower Farm, but one can hope! The 30th anniversary of the Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair was a success and we were happy to be a part of it. The show featured over 150 vendors, plant sales, beautiful landscape […]

May 23, 2023

Pollinator Festival 2023

in Events & Fundraising

Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 10 AM to 4 PM Family-friendly, free outdoor event complete with a farmers’ market. Festival visitors will be able to talk with pollinator experts, identify native bees, pick up pollinator-friendly plants and seeds and tour on-site gardens. Clark Public Utilities Operations Center 8600 NE 117th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98662

March 18, 2023

FOCC Recommends a Complete Moratorium on Development in the 179th St. Access and Management Plan Area

in Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act, Farmland & Forests, Housing & Transportation, Parks, Trails, & Open Spaces, Position Statements & Policy Recommendations, Responsible Development, Wildlife Habitats

In 2020, 2200 acres of land near the Clark County Fairgrounds was added to the Vancouver Urban Growth Boundary. This historically rural community is home to farms, forests, wetlands, and creeks where salmon spawn. The area is now rapidly developing and area residents, many of whom have been fighting against urban development for nearly 20 […]