Contractor input invited on construction contracting process for the Columbia River Crossing project at Sept. 9 open house

VANCOUVER – The Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is hosting an open house on Sept. 9 for construction and construction-related firms to learn about and provide input on the project’s future contract and bid process.

CRC is seeking input on procurement and contracting methods, schedule specifications and bi-state contracts. The event will include a project overview presentation, a question and answer session and opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with staff and other attendees.

Input received at the open house will help enhance the contracting process. Project construction is expected to begin in 2013 and last five to seven years.

Contractor Open House

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010

1 to 4 p.m. (Presentation at 1:30 p.m.)

Portland Expo Center (Hall D)

2060 N. Marine Drive, Portland

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by email or phone, 866-396-2726. Additional meeting information is available on the CRC website.

The meeting facility is ADA accessible and served by the TriMet MAX Yellow Line. Accommodations for people with disabilities or in need of language translation can be arranged with advance notice by calling CRC at 866-396-2726 or through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 7-1-1.

About the project

CRC is a long-term, comprehensive project to reduce congestion, enhance mobility and improve safety on I-5 between SR 500 in Vancouver and Columbia Boulevard in Portland. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, Wash., improve closely-spaced interchanges and enhance the pedestrian and bicycle path between the two cities. The project would be funded by federal and state sources, as well as tolls. Written comments may be submitted on the CRC project at any time at feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org. More information is available on the CRC project website: columbiarivercrossing.org.

County urges residents to participate in federal 2010 Census for complete count, representation and federal dollars at stake

Vancouver, WA – Forms for United States Census 2010 will start arriving in mailboxes next week, and Clark County urges all households to fill out the

10-question form and return it as soon as possible. Mailing is free.

By completing the confidential form, residents can directly affect the quality of life in our community.

Conducted once every 10 years, the census collects data that affect the:

· Distribution of more than $400 billion per year in federal financing to state, local and tribal governments

· Number of seats Washington will have in the U.S. House of Representatives

· Redistricting of state and local governments for proportional representation

The federal money is distributed among 170 programs, including public works projects such as roads, bridges and tunnels and social service programs such as medical assistance and nutritional programs for women and children, including school lunches. The data also are used by local planners to determine such things as the locations of schools, senior centers and hospitals.

Clark County is helping refine census boundaries and collect addresses and new construction information to coordinate local and federal data for the most accurate population count.

The census form will take about 10 minutes to complete. Please return it by April 1. If it is not received by April 9, a second form will mailed. If that is not returned, a Census worker, identifiable by a badge and bag, will come knocking.

“That’s the expensive part,” said Michelle Danley, partnership specialist, U.S. Census Bureau. Returning questionnaires by mail saves $60 to $70 per form.

Clark County also is coordinating with Leadership Clark County and other groups to inform community members, especially those who may be difficult to count, about Census 2010.

To have someone from Leadership Clark County’s Complete Count Committee speak to a group, please contact Noah Blanton at (360) 241-8951 or noah.blanton@stewart.com. To have Michelle Danley speak, please call her at (360) 689-4611.

Questionnaire Assistance Centers will open on March 19 and 20 at several Clark County locations. Hours vary. Census forms in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese as well as English will be available, as will telephone numbers for help for persons who speak one of more than 50 other languages.

The centers also will provide assistance to those who are blind or visually impaired. Instructions about how to complete the form will be available in large print and Braille, and a staff member can fill out the form. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the TDD number, 1-866-783-2010.

Persons who may not have received a census form in the mail can pick one up at an assistance center or a “Be Counted Site.”

Here are addresses of Questionnaire Assistance Centers in Clark County:

· Fire District 3, 17718 N.E. 159th St., Brush Prairie

· Fire District 6, 8800 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver

· Washougal Fire Department, 1400 A St., Washougal

· Korean Senior Citizens Association, 5305 E. 18th St., Vancouver

· St. John’s Catholic Church, 8701 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver

· Lord’s Church, 800 E. 29th St., Vancouver

· Vancouver Holy Mountain Church, 6415 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver

· Vancouver Korean Presbyterian Church, 5045 E. 18th St., Vancouver

· VA Medical Center, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver

· Yacolt Town Hall, 105 E. Yacolt Road, Yacolt

Here are the addresses for Be Counted Sites:

· Vancouver Fire Department, 7110 N.E. 63rd St., Vancouver

· Paradise Quick Stop, 2814 N.E. 318th St., Ridgefield

· Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, 2108 Grand Blvd., Vancouver

· Fire District 10, 39805 N.E. 216th Ave., Amboy

· East County Fire & Rescue, 600 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas

· U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie

NW Natural Volunteers Dig In

MEDIA ALERT: NW Natural Volunteers Dig In
Gas company sponsors Friends of Trees event

What: NW Natural employees really dig volunteering, and they'll prove it at an upcoming tree planting event in Vancouver, WA. Gas company employees will team up with Friends of Trees to plant nearly 100 trees in the neighborhoods of Arnada, Carter Park, Central Park, Edgewood Park, Harney Heights, Hough, Hudson's Bay, Lincoln, Northwest, Rose Village, Shumway, and West Minnehaha.

After the event, sponsor NW Natural Linked text will thank the entire crew of volunteers by hosting a barbeque with hamburgers, chips, fruit, desert and beverages.

When: Saturday, February 27 from 9 a.m. – noon.

Where: Volunteers will meet at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Linked text at 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

MEDIA
CONTACT: Jenna Cooper-Gross jcg@nwnatural.com or 503.721.2440 or 503.818.9845 (pager).

Mayor Leavitt to deliver 2010 State of the City address

Find the release here.

CORPS SEEKS COMMENTS ON COLUMBIA RIVER JETTY REPAIRS

PORTLAND, ORE. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on a draft environmental assessment of major repairs to portions of the jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington.

The work is necessary to prevent further deterioration and structural breaches, which could alter the reliability of the jetties and impact the ability of ships to navigate the river entrance.

Actual repairs could begin as early as 2012 and would be completed in phases over 20 years.

The proposed project calls for the placement of 364,000 tons and nearly 750,000 tons of rock on the north and south jetty, respectively, along with the addition of spur groins on both jetties. Additionally, both jetties would be capped with very large armor stones to prevent further erosion of the tips. Finally, the proposal includes plans to reinforce and add groins to jetty “A” at the south end of Cape Disappointment.

The Corps expects rock would be acquired from multiple sources in Oregon, Washington, California and British Columbia. Each jetty stone would weigh between 30 and 50 tons. Rock delivery would take place by barge or truck.

The draft environmental assessment is available online at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/pm/e/en_plan_assess.asp

Face-To-Face with Mayor Tim Leavitt and the City Council

Ask questions or just chat with your new mayor, Wednesday Jan. 20, 6:30 pm at Cascade Park Library.

City of Vancouver receives energy grant to increase conservation, reduce costs

The City of Vancouver will receive nearly $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve energy efficiency in its facilities and operations and reduce on-going energy costs.

CW Chamber Supports Camas & Washougal School District Replacement Levy – Voting in February

Camas, WA – The Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce is in support of both the Camas and Washougal School District replacement levies that will be up for vote in February. The levies will replace funding for the current levies set to expire in 2010. The State only covers 80% of funding needed for schools and this Levy will bridge that gap.

The $10 Million dollar Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levies will go towards learning only. Below is a sample of what the Levy funds will go towards in the School Districts:


o Athletics: Coaches, uniforms, referees, transportation, etc.

o Textbooks: Every math, science, English and art text books for every grade level.

o School Safety: Security systems, personnel, fencing, drug & alcohol intervention, etc.

o Student Health: Nurses, health room, screening & plans for medically fragile children.

o Accelerated Programs: Advanced placement courses, science Olympiad, robotics, magnet programs, math, gifted programming and more.

o Special Education: Teachers, adaptive equipment, books & materials, etc.

o Teacher Training: Workshops, seminars, and special training.

o Transportation: Half the costs of all school transportation.

o Substitute Teachers: Levy covers almost all the costs for the entire program.

o Community Education: Coordination, publicity, and supervision of the program.

o Grounds: 25% of costs for cleaning, maintaining, heating, lighting, and fields.

o Dramatic Productions: All plays, musicals at the middle & high school levels.

o Band Performances: Concerts, instruments, travel, and uniforms.

o Technology Support: All personnel costs for tech support district wide.


The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce works to link the School Districts with the businesses of East Clark County. Our Camas-Washougal Education and Economic Development Committee supported the development of the current Robotics Team. Businessmen and women have donated their time for the senior projects panels and the JAS program in Washougal. We understand that a strong school district supports a strong economic climate. Great schools are a strong recruitment tool for businesses thinking about relocating or starting in East Clark County.

Small amount of H1N1 influenza vaccine for children under three voluntarily recalled

There are no vaccine safety concerns and kids don’t need to be revaccinated

Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur has voluntarily recalled a small amount of H1N1 vaccine intended for use in children under 3. No safety issues with the vaccine have been identified. Routine testing revealed that this batch of vaccine has become slightly less potent over time. Despite this, children who received this vaccine are still protected from H1N1 flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.

“Children who have already received the recalled vaccine don’t need to be revaccinated. Parents just need to make sure that their kids 9 and younger receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least 21 days apart,” said Gary Oxman, Multnomah County Health Officer.

This recalled product represents a very small percentage of the total amount of vaccine received in Washington and Oregon. Washington received 5,100 doses of the recalled vaccine, a tiny fraction of the 1.6 millions doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has received to date. In Oregon, these figures are 7,600 and 1,066,450 respectively.

Any health care providers who have the recalled vaccine should stop using it, keep it refrigerated, and wait for instructions on how to return it.

More information about the recalled vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/syringes_qa.htm. Additional vaccine information, as well as tips on how schools, businesses, and others can avoid getting sick is available at www.nwflunews.info or www.flunewsswwashington.org.

H1N1 vaccine is now available for everyone in Oregon and Southwest Washington and everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated.

Budget changes at the Clerk’s Office bring shorter hours

Vancouver, WA – Beginning Jan. 4, 2010, the Clark County Clerk’s Office will reduce its public hours and charge a facilitator fee previously waived for some, both the result of budget reductions for 2010.

The Clerk’s Office will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is on the first floor of the Clark County Courthouse, 1200 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Also, the office will charge persons on public assistance $10 for a 20 minute appointment with the court’s Family Law Facilitator. Previously, the Clerk’s Office waived the fee. Others will continue to pay $20 for the service.


In addition, the Criminal Collections Unit, which monitors and receives court-ordered financial payments from Superior Court defendants, will move to the Family Law Annex, 601 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. The building is one block south of the courthouse.


The Clerk’s Office receives and processes Superior Court documents, assists in all court proceedings, maintains court files, and enters court orders, judgments and decrees.

Wells Fargo donates $9,000 to Clark County public schools

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Wells Fargo donated $1,000 each to nine schools this morning as part of its support of public education in Clark County.

The nine Wells Fargo managers whose bank branches are located closest to the schools presented the check to the schools' principals.

"We chose to give to schools that have a large percentage of students receiving subsidized or free lunches, as this is a strong indication of need," said Kellie Grant, Wells Fargo's Community Bank president for Clark County.

The schools that received the funds were:

1) Maple Grove Primary School in Battle Ground (represented by Principal Barbara Baird);
2) Hathaway Elementary in Lacamas (represented by Principal Laura Bolt);
3) Crestline Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Bobby Jacobsen);
4) Orchards Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Vinh Nguyen);
5) Mill Plain Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Debra Alden);
6) Fruit Valley Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Debbie Elliott);
7) Hazel Dell Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Woody Howard);
8) Martin Luther King Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Debra Hale); and,
9) Washington Elementary in Vancouver (represented by Principal Theresa David-Turner).

"Quality education is, undoubtedly, the most important investment we can make for our future and that of coming generations," said Grant. "Strong schools produce tomorrow's workforce, voters, business owners, heads of government, educators, artists, parents - the people on whom our communities depend for leadership and support."

The event attendees included Glenys Paveglio, chief of Elementary Education for Vancouver Public Schools; and Bernie Kronberger, Wells Fargo's regional Community Relations manager.

Cash grants are one of the many ways Wells Fargo supports public education. It also operates nine free history museums throughout the country, including one in Portland; its team members volunteer at local schools; it matches donations its team members give to education; it provides tuition reimbursement for its team members; and it offers three scholarship programs for its team members' children.

Wells Fargo has also developed a free, interactive, financial education program called Hands On Banking in English and Spanish to teach the basics of good money management. The principals at today's event each received a copy of the program.

"Public education is one of the major cornerstones of our corporate giving at Wells Fargo," added Tawnie Nelson, head of Wells Fargo's Business Banking team in Clark County. "About one-third of our total community involvement budget for southwest Washington and Oregon each year is targeted towards support of education,"

Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo has repeatedly been named one of the most generous firms in the nation. It employs more than 900 team members in Clark County.

Commissioners balance budget for 2010 with sharp cuts

Vancouver, WA – Today, the Board of Clark County Commissioners approved a revised budget for 2010, which included cutting $12.5 million from the general fund. By law, the Board is required to readopt the two-year budget by the first full week of December.

With the readoption, Clark County has cut its general fund budget three times for a total of 22 percent, or $62 million, since its peak in the 2007-2008 budget. The cuts eliminated 270 positions, or about 15 percent of the county workforce. About half of the jobs were filled.

The readopted budget preserves five of 14 jail custody officer jobs previously slated for elimination, pending the Clark County Custody Officers Guild’s final agreement to forego a 3.25 percent cost-of-living raise in 2010. Giving up the raise would save the county $325,000 next year and provide money to keep five custody officers employed, if approved as currently proposed.

Similarly, Clark County Sheriff’s Office will use a $250,000, one-time grant to keep seven patrol deputies slated for layoffs on the job until March 31 as the county works to complete contract negotiations with the Deputy Sheriff’s Guild. The county

could prevent some layoffs if the guild will forego cost-of-living raises for 2009 and 2010. The Sheriff would have the authority to use the savings to keep the seven deputies on the road.

The Board also asked the director of Community Development, who oversees Animal Control, to generate additional revenues from dog licensing and work with the Clark County Executive Horse Council on ways to manage issues related to horses.

On the revenue side, the Board voted to maintain the one percent general fund property tax increase allowed by law and originally projected for 2010. Without

such action, that property tax would have decreased. The total increase is estimated to be about $527,000.

“By maintaining this one percent, we will be preserving public safety,” said Commissioner Steve Stuart.

However, the Board rejected potential one percent increases in the Road Fund, Conservation Futures Fund and Metropolitan Parks District levy fund. The commissioners agreed to hold the line on spending in those special funds in light of the difficulties currently confronting local property owners.

In an effort to maintain park services, the Board passed an emergency resolution raising parking fees from $2 to $3 and raising picnic shelter reservation fees. The Board will hold a public hearing on park fees within 60 days, as required by law.

Chair Marc Boldt said the readopted budget sets the county on a different course.

“We will govern differently or we will not survive,” Boldt said. The commissioner has called for a move to more regional services and fewer state mandates.

Earlier in the budget hearings, he said, “I’m calling this a balanced but unsustainable budget.”

H1N1 vaccine restrictions lifted in Southwest Washington

Vaccine now available for everyone

Washington State public health agency administrators and health officers decided yesterday to lift priority group restrictions and make H1N1 vaccine available to anyone who wants it. Although some Washington counties may still decide to offer vaccine to priority groups only, restrictions have been lifted in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.

“As more vaccine has arrived in the region, we are meeting vaccine demand among the priority groups to the extent that we can now make the vaccine available to everyone,” said Marni Storey, Region IV Incident Commander. “Even so, we are focusing our outreach efforts on people in priority groups and encouraging those at greatest risk to get vaccinated as soon as they can.”

Priority groups include:

§ Pregnant women because they are at much higher risk of complications from H1N1.

§ Healthcare workers because they can potentially infect vulnerable patients and also because increased absenteeism could reduce healthcare system capacity.

§ Children ages 6 months through age 24

§ Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months, so they don’t pass the virus to their infants.

§ Persons ages 6 months to 64 years with chronic medical conditions that could worsen with influenza, such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, immunosuppression and others.

For information about where to get vaccinated, call your healthcare provider or pharmacy or visit http://www.flunewsswwashington.org/Vaccines.html. People without health insurance can receive free H1N1 vaccine at the following locations. Please call first.

Clark County

§ Free Clinic of SW Washington, (360) 313-1390

§ New Heights Clinic, (360) 694-0355


Cowlitz County

§ Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic, (360) 414-2852

§ Cowlitz Family Health Center, (360) 636-3892.


Although the number of H1N1 influenza cases is declining nationally, health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated for several reasons:

§ H1N1 influenza is a very contagious and potentially serious disease. The best way to prevent catching or spreading H1N1 influenza is to get vaccinated.

§ Because H1N1 is a new virus, we can’t predict the course of the outbreak. Although the number of cases is dropping, we could still experience additional outbreaks of H1N1 influenza later this season.

§ The more people who get vaccinated, the more protection we have in the community. Even if you get a mild case of influenza, someone you infect may develop a much more severe illness with complications.

Clark County Law Library changes hours in January

Vancouver, WA – The Clark County Law Library will change its public hours beginning Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

The Law Library, on the first floor of the Clark County Courthouse, will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, it will close to the public at noon on the fourth Thursday of each month, when the library Board of Trustees meets.

Currently, the library is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and opens at 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month.

The courthouse is located at 1200 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Community Celebration to Honor Mayor Pollard

The public is invited to attend a community celebration for Mayor Royce E. Pollard, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Program will begin at 5 p.m. The event is free. Light refreshments will be served.

County gears up for winter, expands road news on Web site

Vancouver, WA – With the forecast calling for colder temperatures and possible snow, Clark County Public Works is ready to respond to a weather emergency.

County road crews have reviewed snow emergency plans during the past few weeks. Forty plow trucks, plus four trucks that can spread salt brine deicer, are ready for the first snowfall of the season.

“We have done a complete inventory and we are all geared up,” said Denis Ryan, the county’s rural operations superintendent. “Crews are ready to go if we get called upon.”

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting a 20 percent chance of snow for Sunday and colder temperatures that will remain below freezing across much of Clark County Sunday and Monday, with overnight temperatures in the teens. More significant snow accumulation could occur later in the week.

For more information on the county’s winter weather response, go to: www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/engineering/winter.html.

The Web site offers answers to common questions about snow and ice removal, snowplows and salt brine deicer, as well as a snow route map that shows which roads will receive priority during winter storms.

During a winter storm, the site will provide a place for county residents to get the latest news about road conditions, garbage collection delays and other information, along with Web links for monitoring travel conditions in other parts of the Northwest.

You also can use the Web site to sign up for news alerts from the county about road closures and other developments during winter storms.

Make a greener holiday: Reduce, reuse, recycle

Vancouver, WA – The last few weeks of the year are often unusually heavy garbage weeks. Plan ahead to reduce your holiday waste, and let your new blue recycling cart help with the recycling.

· Reduce waste when shopping. Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags. Try to avoid buying items with bulky or non-recyclable packaging, such as block foam and blister packs. Look for recycled content in cards and gift wrap, and buy wrap that can be recycled.

· Give good experiences. A gift of your time spent with friends and family members may be the gift they appreciate most. Consider giving tickets to movies, concerts, ball games or other events, along with club memberships.

· Make the package part of the gift. Place holiday goodies in a reusable candy dish or cookie tin or wrap a handmade brooch or pin in a scarf.

· Reuse or recycle that gift wrap. Save gift bags, ribbons and bows to use again. Cardboard boxes and most wrapping paper (but not foil-covered paper) can be recycled. Remove ribbons, bows and plastic from paper to be recycled. Put recyclable paper boxes and gift wrap in with other mixed paper in your blue cart for easy curbside pickup.

· Recycle your Christmas tree. Remove tinsel, lights and other decorations. Residents with yard debris collection can cut up trees to fit in yard debris carts (5 foot maximum length). Boy Scouts will collect trees (Scouts suggest a $7 donation taped to your door, and trees should not be placed next to your curbside carts). Trees also can be dropped off wherever yard debris is recycled for a charge.

· Recycle your phone books, catalogs and calendars. Place them in the blue recycling cart.

· Recycle your household batteries. Put dry-cell batteries in a sealed clear plastic bag and place on top of your blue recycling cart.

For more waste prevention and recycling ideas and information, please visit www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/holidaywastereduction.html or call Clark County Solid Waste Program at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4352.

Moeller’s plan renews round-up of license scofflaws

Legislator says cheats must stop ignoring Washington’s rules

CLARK COUNTY – “Whether we were born in the Evergreen State, moved here a long time ago, or came here more recently to put down new roots,” according to state Rep. Jim Moeller, “law-abiding Washington motorists keep a driver’s license and renew it when the time comes. We also make sure our motor vehicles are kept properly registered.

“In fact, however, thousands of vehicles in Clark County are licensed in Oregon instead of Washington,” said Moeller. “Their owners snub our state’s law so they can get out of paying our state’s sales-and-use tax.”

Upward of $1 million in revenue is lost every year.

The Vancouver Democrat (49th Legislative District) said today (Thursday, Dec. 3) that he’ll sponsor a vehicle-license-fraud bill in the upcoming 2010 session. Moeller’s measure will re-establish the Vehicle License Task Force that was eliminated in budget-cuts in the legislative session earlier this year.

He explained that his bill would send revenue from the fines for failure to license or register to the Vehicle License Fraud Account in the state treasurer’s office. If it’s passed and signed into law, the bill takes effect July 1, 2010.

Moeller noted that some people do register their vehicles in Washington, but continue to keep their out-of-state driver’s license “so they can purchase goods and services without paying our state’s sales tax.

“These folks are using our state=s services, but they’re not helping pay for them. We’re talking about our schools, our roads, and our public-safety services that are paid for by the taxes the rest of us pay.”

Current Washington law directs that when a person establishes residency here, he or she must register his or her vehicles – and reregister the vehicles every year – if the vehicles will be operated on public highways. The person must pay all required licensing fees and taxes. While the law is on the state’s books, its enforcement isn’t funded due to the aforementioned budget-cuts.

Failure to register a vehicle is counted as a traffic infraction with a fine of $529, further states the 2005 legislation that also set up a Vehicle License Task Force. The Clark County task force has received assistance from a good many southwestern Washington volunteers.

The cost of the task force is approximately $325,000 per year, said Moeller, “and so the program can actually more than pay for itself.”

To make sure that folks are not just registering their vehicles in Washington and then keeping their Oregon driver’s license to buy products and goods tax-free, owners of a vehicle must have a Washington driver’s license in order to license the vehicle.

Clark County awarded $2.72 million for energy conservation efforts

Vancouver, WA – Clark County home- and business-owners could receive free energy audits, heating duct inspections and incentives for energy conservation work under a $2.29 million federal grant Clark County received late last month.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is one of two energy-related awards the county received recently. It will improve energy efficiency and conservation in the community and create jobs to boost the local economy. The money comes from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

About half of the two-year grant will go for energy audits and heating duct inspections in homes and businesses. Eligible property owners who schedule an appointment will receive conservation tips, referrals to area heating and cooling contractors able to seal ducts, and a coupon for a building permit and inspection. Details about how to sign up for the program will be announced early in 2010.

The grant also will pay for: “smart” computer power strips in the county’s Information Services Department; LED bulbs for county traffic signals; a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Washington State University’s Clark County Extension Research Station at 1919 N.E. 78th St.; biomass power at county facilities; and, energy improvements for moderate-income families and small businesses in the Hazel Dell area.

Also, the county this week received the last portion of a $435,000 incentive payment from Clark Public Utilities. It will help pay for nearly $7.78 million in energy improvements made to county buildings this year. The incentive money, which was about $79,000 more than originally estimated, recognizes the county’s contribution to keeping overall energy consumption down.

The money will help pay for solar panels, solar water heaters, software for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and other improvements.


“In this austere time, it is great to not only save energy but also to see a return on our investments,” said Mark McCauley, General Services director.

County commissioners to consider stormwater accord with state

Vancouver, WA – After months of detailed negotiations, Clark County and Washington Department of Ecology staffs have drafted a tentative agreement that could bring the county into full compliance with the state’s stormwater regulations and the county’s Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit.

The agreement also would support implementation of the county’s updated stormwater ordinances, which were adopted last January.

County commissioners will discuss the proposed agreement during a 10 a.m. Wednesday work session. They may then set a Dec. 15 public hearing to consider testimony and take action on the agreement. Both meetings would take place in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The Department of Ecology already had accepted the county’s stormwater approach and updated ordinances, except on the issue of managing the quantity of runoff during a major storm, an issue commonly referred to as flow control.

The proposed agreement could resolve the March 17 violation notice the state issued to the county regarding flow control.

“There were some tough discussions between the county staff and Ecology,” said Kevin Gray, the county’s environmental services director. “In the end, the county was able to show that we have a system for providing an equivalent amount of flow control, thereby achieving the state’s goals but in a different fashion than was prescribed in the original permit.”

“Despite our different approaches, the county and state always were united around a common goal: protecting the environment through improved stormwater management.”