News From Your Friends

What’s on our Radar – Week of March 3rd, 2025

March 3, 2025 in General

 

  • Last week:

    • DABBLER VICTORY (but it’s not over yet): For background on this issue, please check out details from our last Call-to-Action here: https://friendsofclarkcounty.org/urgent-dabbler-call-to-action-by-wednesday-february-26th/

      We asked folks to show up and support FOCC and Legacy Forest Defense Coalition (LFDC) at the hearing on our motion for a restraining order against the DNR to stop the logging of the Dabbler legacy forest timber sale last Wednesday, and WE WON.

      Next up is our motion for a preliminary injunction against the DNR on March 21st. Until then, we ask that you consider chipping in what you can to the Go Fund Me created by LFDC to raise the funds needed to fight the Dabbler and other legacy timber sales (totaling 2,328 acres) all over Washington: https://gofund.me/d4e1dcc0
    • The Clark County Climate Community Advisory Group (CAG) held their second-to-last meeting. Boy, it was intense! Be sure to subscribe or look out in upcoming social media posts for our newsletter that is set to drop this week to learn about the CAG process, what it means for FOCC’s climate priorities, and what’s next. You can subscribe to our newsletter here:

      https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/78v4ChTd2xJIPmddrmliTw
    • Tuesday, 2/25: Kyle Fadness was appointed to the Planning Commission.
    • Wednesday, 2/26: There was a Work Session on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and a Work Session on Forest Trust Lands in Clark County. This Work Session included a presentation from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in which the controversial Dabbler timber sale was discussed. Notably, Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove, who had been invited to the meeting and who recently ignored the Clark County Council’s request to save the Dabbler and turned his back on 2,328 acres of legacy forest in Washington, was not present. The 1pm Council Time did not include anything of note related to FOCC’s priorities.
    • You can view recordings of last week’s Work Sessions and Council Time on the Clark County, WA YouTube page and last week’s Council meeting on CVTV.org.

  • This week:

    • Tomorrow, Tuesday 3/4 at 10am is a Clark County Council meeting, starting with 2 public hearings, one on a road vacation and one regarding the Telecommunications Commission meetings. There will be an opportunity for Open Public Comment (3 minutes to comment on anything you want and comment on Consent and Separate Business items.   Notable items on the Consent Agenda include: requesting approval to ask for bids on the 179th Street/NE 29th Ave Intersection project and the Heritage Farm Wetlands Restoration project, requesting approval to collaborate with the Clark Conservation District on Poop Smart Clark (pollution identifying and correction program), signing a conservation covenant for mitigation planting at the Whipple Creek West Pump Station project, proposed budget increase ($2.8 million) to the 2025 HMA Overlays (passed with the Transportation Improvement Plan). On Separate Business, there is a request for approval for PBS to provide a new remedial investigation/feasibility study and cleanup action plan at Camp Bonneville. It has been previously noted by the public and Councilors that PBS having been involved in both the cleanup activities and reviewing those activities presents a conflict of interest, but certain work under $200k (which doesn’t require Council approval) was approved by Public Works staff despite Council concerns. This will be an interesting discussion to watch.
    • Wednesday, 3/5 at 9am there are 2 Work Sessions scheduled, one on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program and a presentation by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), who are seeking support for their asks of the Council. As providing safe multimodal transportation options is imperative for addressing climate, pollution, and cost of living in the county, this will be an important conversation to watch and engage with. There is also a Council Time at 1pm, including discussion of the Bridge Shelter and the Annual Work Plan and 2025 Comp Plan Update. A reminder that Council Time includes Councilor Reports and Policy Updates where we often get tipped off on future business, so FOCC will be watching just in case!
    • Thursday, 3/6 at 5:30pm is a Planning Commission Work Session covering the Rural and Natural Resource Element and the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element of the Comp Plan, including a review of existing policies. This will be a great educational opportunity for the public to familiarize themselves with the Comp Plan Update!
  • Other happenings:
    • For Clark County Farmers: FOCC is asking farmers to complete our 2025 Clark County Farm Survey by Saturday, April 12th, 2025. This year, we are happy to be able to offer a $20 Wilco gift card as an incentive for each farm that completes the survey (each farm is eligible for 1 gift card).


See you next week!
Karissa
FOCC Community Outreach

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