Public Imput Needed

I received this from the "Small Acreage Outreach Program" today. This is one of those issues that is important for all of us to weigh in on if we want to keep our horses in this county.

Clark County is one of eight counties in Western Washington currently working to develop a farmland preservation program in cooperation with the Washington State Conservation Commission.


After meeting through the spring and summer, a local advisory committee has drafted 24 strategies intended to protect opportunities to pursue commercial and non-commercial agriculture. These strategies are now available for public review and comment through November 17.


The public is encouraged to fill out The Farmland Preservation survey online.

More information will be available at a series of open houses, all from 6 to 8 p.m., as follows:


Wednesday, November 5 - 6 to 8 p.m, Camas Public Library, 625 NE Fourth Ave., Camas


Monday, November 10 - - 6 to 8 p.m, C.A.S.E.E., 11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie


Wednesday, November 12 - 6 to 8 p.m, Clark County Public Safety Complex, 505 NW 179th St., Ridgefield.


The county web site also contains more information.

You can see the draft farm preservation strategies here.

The committee will consider public comments before finalizing recommendations to the Board of Clark County Commissioners later this year. The project is modeled after similar efforts in King County, to address economic, social and political pressures that discourage farming in areas where population has been increasing and lifestyles are becoming more urban.


Comments may be sent to Clark County Agricultural Preservation Advisory Committee, Attn: Patrick Lee, Room 185, Public Service Center, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000 or by e-mail to Patrick.Lee@clark.wa.gov.