In this issue:
New Environmental Services Department
Clark County
Clean Water Program
1300 Franklin Street
PO Box 9810
Vancouver, Washington 98660-9810
(360) 397-6118 ext. 4345
Email the Clark County
Clean Water Program
Clean Water Program moves to new Department of Environmental Services
Beginning January 1, 2010, the Clean Water Program will become part of the county's newly formed Department of Environmental Services. The new department will combine programs and employees involved in managing natural resources and protecting the environment. These include county activities related to stormwater, solid waste, endangered species, vegetation management, conservation lands and environmental permitting of the county’s future capital improvements.
The director of the new department, Kevin Gray, is a professional engineer and former Deputy Director of Clark County Public Works. Says Gray, "This is a very exciting opportunity to work with an outstanding team to preserve and enhance this community's natural resources. I look forward to engaging staff to develop our new department and provide these vital services." Read more >>
Commissioners approve stormwater agreement with Ecology
On December 15th, the Board of Clark County Commissioners approved an agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology that will bring the county into full compliance with the state’s stormwater regulations.
The agreement resolves a violation notice the state issued in March and supports implementation of the updated stormwater ordinances the county adopted in January. Read the full story >>
Clean Water success stories
The Clean Water Program is working to make a difference in our community. Here are some recent accomplishments:
Sunnyside sewer project benefits from multi-agency cooperation
In a cooperative effort, the Clean Water Program worked closely with Clark County Public Health and the Clark Regional Wastewater District (CRWWD) to successfully bring sanitary sewer to the Sunnyside neighborhood, an area plagued by failing septic systems, which can pollute both ground and surface water. CRWWD’s decision to recently install a new sewer main in the neighborhood was supported by information gathered by the Clean Water Program and Clark County Public Health. Read the full story >>
Neighbors pull together to repair neighborhood stormwater facility
Last spring, residents of the Wanke Meadows neighborhood in Hazel Dell were notified by Clark County's Clean Water Program that their privately owned stormwater facility was out of compliance with the county's Water Quality ordinance due to lack of maintenance.
County staff met with residents to explain stormwater facility ownership and maintenance responsibility. Rather than hire an outside contractor to do all the required maintenance work, a small group of Wanke Meadows residents stepped up to spearhead the volunteer effort to bring their stormwater facility into compliance. This smaller group rallied the neighborhood into volunteering their time during several summer and early fall work parties. Step by step residents cleaned up and made repairs to bring their stormwater facility into compliance. Read the full story >>
Landowners pick up litter - When walking streams for the Stormwater Needs Assessment Program (SNAP), Clean Water monitoring staff often discovers trash and debris littering the stream bank and riparian areas. Last fall, the Clean Water Program mailed letters to private landowners with noted trash sites explaining the impact of trash on stream health and habitat and asking for their voluntary assistance by picking up the debris.
The response from 22 landowners was overwhelmingly positive, with most indicating they were unaware of the problem and a willingness to clean up their stream. Read the full story >>
NE 99 Street road improvement to incorporate green streets techniques
Clark County has begun work on its first Green Street project as a way to combine road improvements with ecologically friendly design. This project will widen a section of Northeast 99th Street between State Route 503 and NE 137th Avenue and use low-impact development features, which include 27 rain gardens and pervious sidewalks, to manage runoff from the roadway.
Construction of this project is made possible by a $1.9 million economic stimulus grant as part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Clark County will also include $2.6 million of local tax dollars for construction.
For more information, contact Matt Griswold, Project Manager at 360-397-6118, ext. 4672 or email matt.griswold@clark.wa.gov
Encore Project nears completion
This summer, crews reconstructed an aging residential stormwater facility in a neighorhood north of Salmon Creek. The Encore stormwater facility, named for the surrounding development, is near NE 152nd Street and 20th Avenue in the Whipple Creek Watershed. The Encore site was designated as a stormwater facility in the 1980s when development of the surrounding area began. However, the amount of stormwater detention provided by the facility was insufficient to protect habitat and water quality. In 2006, Clean Water Program scientists and engineers identified this 5-acre site as a high priority for stormwater infrastructure improvement. This year, existing stormwater ponds were reconstructed to provide better stormwater management for the area, reducing peak flows by greater than 50% for a wide range of storms, reducing downstream channel erosion and habitat degradation in Whipple Creek. Additional work this winter will enhance on-site wetlands with native plants to provide for more effective treatment to remove pollutants. |
Encore stormwater facility during construction |
Reconstructed stormwater pond For more information, contact Scott Fakler, at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4394 or email scott.fakler@clark.wa.gov |
Watershed Steward Training 2010
Want to volunteer to help your community and the environment? Become a Watershed Steward and help educate others about the importance of clean water. Come learn about our watersheds and water quality issues from local experts one evening a week for 10 weeks. The training begins Wednesday nights January 20th and ends March 24, 2010. Sponsored by WSU Clark County Extension and the Clean Water Program. Call Jen Naas at (360) 397-6060, ext. 7703 to register or for more information.
Clean Water Program
Established in 2000, the Clean Water Program helps improve water quality in Clark County through education, storm sewer cleaning and maintenance, pollutant source screening, stormwater facility upgrades, stream habitat restoration projects and development and enforcement of improved stormwater regulations.