The Results Are In: FOCC Call to Action on the 2025 Clark County Agricultural Lands Study
Hey Friends,
The 2025 Clark County Agricultural Lands Study, conducted by independent consultants hired by the unanimous determination of the Clark County Council, reached two important conclusions that should guide decision-making related to our agricultural resource lands in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update.
First, the study found that all currently designated agricultural resource lands provide long-term commercial significance to the agricultural industry using the criteria outlined in Washington State law (WAC 365-190-050). In fact, “96 percent of the Agricultural Designations (31,400 acres) are classified as Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance.” These lands represent an invaluable community resource as we consider the need to feed our growing population, local food security and climate change resiliency, and the future of the farming industry and jobs in the agricultural sector as a whole.
Second, the study concluded that Clark County has additional incredibly high-quality soils in our rural areas that are not currently designated as agricultural lands but should be designated as required by state law. In fact, “98 percent are classified as Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance.” Importantly, the study also found that lands with agricultural designations are more likely to remain as large parcels and their owners more likely to take advantage of the current use tax deferral program, which make these lands even more agriculturally productive.
The study used “a structured, data-based approach consistent with the framework in Washington State law (WAC 365-190-050) and guidance from the Washington Department of Commerce” and confirmed that 1) All the currently designated agricultural lands in Clark County meet the legal criteria for designation and 2) The specifically identifiable additional acreage meet the legal criteria but have not yet been designated.
Therefore, Friends of Clark County encourages the Clark County Council to:
- Acknowledge that all the County’s currently designated agricultural lands should maintain their agricultural designation
- Designate additional agricultural lands in the county that have been found to meet the legal criteria.
But, we’re not the only ones the county needs to hear from, and that’s where YOU come in! If you agree that our position is supported by the findings of the study and that we need to preserve every last acre of agricultural land in the county, you can submit comments for the Comp Plan record to this email address: comp.plan@clark.wa.gov Here are some tips:
- Keep your commentary short and to the point.
- Preserving our ag land is vital to the whole county, no matter where you live—but if you are a Ridgefield or La Center resident where ag land is being proposed to be de-designated, say so! Your commentary might be given more weight.
- There are two councilors who led on initiating this study in order to consider the possibility of de-designating agricultural lands. They are the ones who must be persuaded to accept the findings of the ag study, so be sure to CC glen.yung@clark.wa.gov and matt.little@clark.wa.gov with your commentary. If you are a constituent of either Councilor Yung or Councilor Little, say so!
So much is on the line with this Comp Plan update, so let’s make sure our voices are heard! To learn more about the study and how our Council is currently thinking about the results, you watch this presentation and Council discussion on the study here.