News From Your Friends

What’s on our Radar – Week of November 10th, 2025

November 10, 2025 in General

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update was released! FOCC is reviewing this draft, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can view the full announcement by Clark County here. The comment period is now open and county planners are holding office hours for questions on Thursdays, Oct. 16th-Nov. 20th.

The Clark County Agricultural Lands Study was completed and can be reviewed here! You can also view the County’s upcoming presentation on the ag study here. FOCC will be releasing a statement on the findings soon, so stay tuned.

  • Last week:
    • There was a Clark County Council meeting. Items of note:
      • There was a big agenda! The 2025 Fall Budget Supplemental Appropriation, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and 2026 Annual Construction program, the 2026-2031 Parks and Land Capital Improvement Plan, Ramble Creek Phase 5 (part of the 179th urban holding lift area), the Camp Bonneville cleanup agreement to add a year to the cleanup contract, the WA Dept. of Commerce Salmon Recovery grant application, and the 2026-2031 Stormwater Capital Plan were all approved.
    • There was a work session on Clark County Legacy Lands: County and Partner Acquisition Process. Notes: 
      • In February, the county opened a call for sponsor agency projects through the Legacy Lands Program (which is a water-based land acquisition program). The City of Vancouver submitted the only application, which was for the purchase of 7.5 acres of open space for a future neighborhood park (Peter S. Ogden) for the Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed. The county approved that project in the Capital Improvement Plan recently.  
      • The Legacy Lands Guidance Manual was re-adopted and updated in 2024. Staff developed a matrix based on the legal opinion about allowable uses of properties funded through the Conservation Futures program. Uses of properties acquired through this program cannot undermine the property’s original conservation values. They can only be conserved and enhanced for public enjoyment. Allowable uses are low-impact activities such as trails, viewpoints, picnic areas, parking, and restrooms. Uses not allowed would be stadiums, pools, and high-intensity uses.  
      • The cities of Washougal and Camas are working with their community on Master Plans for the Lacamas North Shore and Schmid Family Park properties. Both cities have come to the county to discuss allowable uses for those properties.  
      • They discussed the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area and the county’s consultation with the Cowlitz Tribe in that process. Open public comment for the county’s current design for the Gordy Jolma Family Natural Area is still open until November 21st and can be found here.  
      • The Council was asked for feedback on allowable uses on Conservation Futures-funded properties (considering the legal opinion).  
      • For those with an interest in forest conservation, at about 43 minutes in, Chair Marshall asks about how conserving forests and Department of Natural Resources land swaps can fit into the Legacy Lands conversation.  
      • It was noted that there will be robust public input opportunities as the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan and the Natural Areas Acquisition Plan get updated in 2026. 
      • You can watch the full work session here: https://youtu.be/goHrqwkeH5c?si=fbtOJnoO6VYuMoRE
    • There was a Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) update. For those who don’t know, each Washington county has an Associate Development Organization (ADO) that is tasked with furthering their region’s economic development goals. CREDC is the designated ADO to serve Clark County. They discussed the Apex Accelerator nationwide program included in the county’s investment with CREDC that is funded partially through the Department of War providing guidance and support to businesses to compete and win government contracts. There were also brief comments about their study of employment lands as well as how to be intentional about seeking out high job-per-acre business. The session can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv1CkqOrcl8
    • There was nothing closely related to FOCC’s advocacy areas on the agenda for Council Time last week, but you can review the recording here: https://youtu.be/BE2MBR955hA?si=_WhGGI3nRp47vN0o
    • There was a Comp Plan Overview and Housing for All Planning Tool (HAPT) Review work session with the Planning Commission. You can watch here: https://youtu.be/57CTcAtAzZs?si=sF6KNO7DmD7ZxsEz
    • There was a Regional Transportation Council meeting. The recording can be reviewed here: https://vimeo.com/1133963863?fl=pl&fe=sh
  • This week:
    • Wednesday, November 12th is the big day this week! There are several important work sessions starting at 9am:
      • 2026 Annual Budget
    • Wednesday, November 12th at 1pm is Council Time. Items of note:
  • Other Clark County advisory board/commission meetings:
  • Other happenings:
    • LULAC Metro has just released this amazing video titled “The Land That Feeds” all about the need to preserve agricultural land in Clark County. You can view it here: https://vimeo.com/1106302162/319a913375?share=copy
    • Camp Bonneville Periodic Review Public Comment Period: The Department of Ecology invites you to review and comment on the draft First Periodic Review and associated documents for the US Army Camp Bonneville Cleanup Site located at 23201 NE Pluss Road, Vancouver, Clark County. The document calls for amending cleanup action plans, where needed, to add additional or revise existing institutional controls, and provides recommendations to address issues identified during the review process. You are invited to review and comment on the following documents:

      • Draft First Periodic Review: Ecology reviewed current and post
      cleanup site conditions and monitoring data to ensure human
      health and the environment are being protected.

      • Draft Updated Public Participation Plan is Ecology’s outreach
      plan. It describes how we will contact the public about this site,
      and opportunities for public input.

      More information here: https://friendsofclarkcounty.org/camp-bonneville-periodic-review-comment-period-and-open-house/

See you next week!
FOCC Community Outreach

 

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