Time Is Running Out...We need YOUR help

Time is running out for us to get things moving in our effort to initiate changes in the county's comprehensive growth management plan. If you're interested in helping us in our efforts to rally support for our cause, feel free to copy the letter below and send it to everyone you know. Thanks for your support!

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I sincerely appreciate your assistance with our effort to convince the Board of County Commissioners that agriculture is NOT dead in Clark County and that the county can grow while employing sustainable practices, and thereby preserve and even improve our quality of life.

In his February State of the County Address, County Commissioner Steve Stuart said,

”… We need to define what farming is in Clark County now and how we can support it in the future.

We need to look at our local farms as a part of our local economy and treat them that way instead of acting like their purpose should be providing open space and cows to look at during a drive in the country. Farmers have contributed more to our community than they will ever get credit for, but we can at least make sure they can keep working if they want to.”

“…Sustainability is much bigger than just a catchphrase…”

Sounds great. But that’s not exactly what we see occurring when we look at the county Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.

In a nutshell, the county has recently released a "preferred alternative" to their Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. This alternative contains a proposal to rezone 4000+ acres of agricultural land for use in high density residential, commercial and industrial development. We feel that this is not acceptable and that our county commissioners are being extremely shortsighted with regards to their development plans, responsible growth and development, and the importance of protecting our agricultural resources. At this point, the commissioners appear to be misappropriating the term "sustainable" as a way to make everyone feel good. The truth of the matter seems that their concept of a sustainable Clark County includes creating the same subdivision, big box store, asphalt landscape as our Oregon neighbors in Washington County and Clackamas County. There is no sustainability for a community that embraces sprawling suburban development. And there is no hope of a future where we can provide a good, clean, and fair food system for our community if we pave over our farmland.

Please contact our county commissioners and let them know what YOUR vision for a sustainable Clark County is. You can see our little sustainable dream by following the link below:

http://clarkfoodfarm.blogspot.com/2007/05/farm-policy-101-epilogue-stop-presses.html

Let them know that agriculture is NOT dead in Clark County. Inform them of the importance of protecting, supporting, and encouraging the efforts of our farmers, dairies, CSAs, and livestock producers.

Here are a number of ways to get your message to the county:

You can send e-mail

Steve.Stuart@clark.wa.gov
Marc.Boldt@clark.wa.gov
Bettysue.Morris@clark.wa.gov

You can leave comments at the Board of County Commissioners web site

http://www.co.clark.wa.us/bocc/emailform.asp

You can send letters

1300 Franklin, 6th Floor, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000

You can fax or call on the phone

Main phone: (360) 397-2232 FAX: (360) 397-6058

Or BEST OF ALL, you can attend one of the upcoming public comment sessions and tell them in person

June 5th and June 6th - 6:30 pm on both evenings
BOCC Hearing Room, 1300 Franklin Street, 6th Floor
Vancouver, WA 98660

Link to Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=m&q1=1300%20franklin%2098660&trf=0&lon=-122.67731&lat=45.631236&mag=3

Again, I sincerely appreciate your participation in this effort. I know that with your help, we can keep Clark County a great place to live.