| 2024 Highlights of Loo Wit Group |
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by Steve Foster
Loo Wit has been involved in many issues. Some are ongoing, but we have been an influence for public awareness and creating change. And we have provided fun, adventure, and time in nature as led by our outing leaders. Highlights of this past year’s activities include:
Political and legislative activities
- Endorsing and working for political candidates at state and local levels, interviewing candidates, and attending campaign meetings
- Working with Vancouver’s City Council to approve a progressive Climate Action Framework
- Organizing canvassing events for “No on 2117”
Environmental activities, working with a variety of partner organizations
- Testifying at public hearings for a variety of conservation and wildlife issues
- Opposing a gravel mine in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area
- Opposing a renewable diesel facility proposed for Port Westward (Oregon)
- Protecting federal lands from exploratory mine drilling near Mount St. Helens
- Urging Clark County to rescind the Chelatchie Bluff surface mining overlay
Increasing public awareness
- Sponsoring community forums on FRDU (Freight Rail Dependent Use) to oppose heavy industrial development in the rail corridor in Clark County
- Urging DNR and the Clark County Council to oppose the Dabbler timber sale
- Serving on Clark County’s and City of Vancouver’s Climate Advisory Committees
- Participating in several City and County climate outreach events
As this shows, Loo Wit was very active in 2024. We invite all members to participate in 2025, in whatever capacity you choose. |
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Climate, Equity, and Resilience: Big Wins and Where Next
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by Meridian Green
Thanks to the amazing work of so many people – including many members of Sierra Club – the No on 2117 campaign won a resounding victory, with 62% of Washington voters choosing to keep Washington state’s landmark Climate Commitment Act!
This shows a huge shift in voter support for addressing climate. In 2024, 57% of Clark County voters favored acting on climate when we defeated Initiative 2117. In 2018, the Clean Air, Clean Energy Initiative 1631 got only 41% of the vote in Clark County. When that ballot measure failed, we, including so many readers of this newsletter, were crushed!
But all was not lost. The Clean Air, Clean Energy Initiative had been crafted by a huge coalition, including tribes, unions, impacted communities, experts in building electrification, proponents of solar and wind power, advocates of land and water restoration, and so many more. I-1631 laid the groundwork for Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), and CCA’s community-wide benefits helped defeat I-2117. So far, so good! We still have work to do.
Here in Clark County, we are updating our Comprehensive Plan, as required by Washington’s Growth Management Act. We are one of the first counties whose plan will include the new HB 1181 mandate to address climate, equity, and resilience. This moment is an opportunity to take our amazing progress to a whole new level with local, place-based solutions. Let’s make sure new policies prevent sprawl and create thriving neighborhoods. Let’s clean the air in the communities where the concentrations of pollutants are causing the most harm. Let’s make sure that our water is safe, and our rivers and lakes are healthy for fish and folks. Let’s insist on protecting forests and agricultural land in Clark County as if our future depends upon it. It does.
Many local organizations, including ACE (Alliance for Community Engagement), are working on crafting a “Citizen’s Land Use” plan, thanks to a grant to Washington Conservation Alliance funded by the Climate Commitment Act. To receive updates about this effort and upcoming events, please email citizenplanclark@gmail.com. |
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Loo Wit Hikes Offer Many Benefits
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by Helen Madsen Ost
Please join us on Loo Wit hikes. The pluses are many: health benefits, enjoying nature, exploring local trails, and meeting like-minded folks. Most of our hikes are easy to moderate, at about 2.5 miles per hour, with low elevation gain. Most are within 30 minutes of Vancouver.
Spring hikes feature wildflowers: blue camas at Round Lake, purple-eyed grass flowers at Catherine Creek, and yellow balsamroot on the Tom McCall Trail.
Year-round, we hike along creeks, lakes, and rivers, often with waterfalls and wildlife: Latourell Falls and Wahclella Falls (in the Gorge), Frenchman's Bar (with Sandhill Cranes), Salmon Creek Trail (with ducks and birds), and Moulton Falls (along the East Fork of the Lewis River). We've also hiked the Oak Island Trail on Sauvie Island, and under the big Cedar trees on the Whipple Creek Trail.
No matter what type of trail you choose, hiking is a great whole-body workout – from head to toe and everything in between.
Loo Wit outings are posted on Meetup. To register for Loo Wit outings, go to https://www.meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-and-events/. This site is similar in name to our previous site, which is no longer active. Anyone who registered through the previous site will have to join the new group. If you have questions, email Lehman at tripsguy@aol.com. |
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On the Trail
Photo by Lori Benson |
Scenic Wetlands
Photo by Lori Benson |
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Kayak Outings Will Begin in May
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by Lehman Holder
There's nothing quite like the enjoyment of being on the water in a kayak. Loo Wit kayak outings offer members and others that experience, and paddling season is just ahead.
We paddle on various rivers and lakes in Clark County, and sometimes slightly beyond. Paddling is at an easy, moderate pace, and no one is left behind. Most kayak outings take about 4-5 hours.
Kayak outings leaders Chris Hartman and Lehman Holder will also be offering an instructional outing for new kayakers in late May, when rentals become available. Learning to paddle a sea kayak on flat, easy water is pure fun. Paddlers are close enough to the water to touch it, and using a double-bladed paddle is easy to learn.
For information about outings or about becoming an outings leader, contact Lehman at tripsguy@aol.com.
Loo Wit outings are posted on Meetup. To register for Loo Wit outings, go to https://www.meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-and-events/. This site is similar in name to our previous site, which is no longer active. Anyone who registered through the previous site will have to join the new group. If you have questions, email Lehman at tripsguy@aol.com.
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Up Lacamas Creek after put-in at Heritage Park. May 2024.
Photo by Christine Hartman |
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Put-in at Felida Moorage. October 2024.
Photo by Christine Hartman |
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New Lands Commissioner Sets Goal for DNR
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by Lehman Holder
Dave Upthegrove is now serving as the new Public Lands Commissioner for Washington's Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). Upthegrove was endorsed by the Washington State Chapter of Sierra Club prior to the November 5th election.
Upthegrove's campaign pledge was to pause logging sales for some older, state-managed forests for about six months. This totals about 80,000 acres and slightly more than 20 timber sales. He emphasized that DNR would consider "certain structurally complex, mature forests" on his first day in office. He added that "during this pause, we'll deploy cutting-edge technology to better identify and map the characteristics of the forests under our care. The pause is a timeout."
Critics of DNR's former policy say these forests are dwindling yet are critical for the environment. There have been questions whether the state is meeting its goals for keeping older forests on public lands intact. Upthegrove is ensuring that DNR's actions are science-based and well planned, allowing DNR to strike the right level between public values and timber harvest, including meeting commitments to agency policy, climate change, and communities. |
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But the Future of Dabbler Forest is Uncertain
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by Tonya Enger
The future of the Dabbler forest in north Clark County is still uncertain. After the sale units were approved at the December meeting of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), an appeal was filed by the Legacy Forest Defense Coalition (LFDC) and Friends of Clark County (FOCC).
In January, two new Clark County councilors took office, as did the newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove. Since then, Upthegrove has declared that a pause will take place on all auctions of 'Maturation II' age legacy forest lands. Because the Dabbler sale was approved in December, it was not included in Upthegrove's mandate.
The new County Council brought the issue to vote again in January, and an official letter was sent to DNR requesting that they postpone the Dabbler sale. Even though the County Council is the main trust beneficiary of the sale, their request was not heeded by DNR. And the auction was set for the end of January.
At this time there is a temporary restraining order filed on behalf of LFDC and FOCC. However, there are reports that Stimson Lumber Company has started logging -- even with pending litigation. (See this article in the Reflector: https://www.thereflector.com/stories/dabbler-timber-sale-goes-forward-with-lawsuit-in-place,374777?)
Efforts have been made to rally public opposition by appealing to the Council and the Commissioner. To comment, please contact the Commissioner of Public Lands (360-902-1000 or cpl@dnr.wa.gov) and Clark County Councilors (https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/write-councilor) |
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The Northwest Forest Plan is being amended, and public comments are due by March 17, 2025. Sierra Club WA reminds members to “act now.” Please urge the U.S. Forest Service to protect our ancient forests, and to focus on climate change, carbon storage, Indigenous consultation, and a science-based approach to wildlife. “The plan’s strong foundation of ecosystem and watershed protection must not be lost.” For information and to comment, go to https://act.sierraclub.org/actions/national?actionid=ar0494394&id=70131000001iOuIAAU
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Please join Friends of Clark County and area residents in urging Clark County to clean up Camp Bonneville and restore it as conservation land. Current chaos at Camp Bonneville involves two issues:
To contact Clark County Council, go to https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/write-councilor.
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2025 annual parking passes for Clark County’s regional parks are now available for purchase. Daily parking fees are charged year-round at four county regional parks: Frenchman’s Bar, Lewisville, Salmon Creek, and Vancouver Lake. The annual parking passes are $30 and valid from the date of purchase through the 2025 calendar year. Learn more here.
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You are invited to write nonpartisan postcards to alert voters about upcoming elections in their state. Long-time Sierra Club member Ellen Sward plans to host "get out the vote" events during the coming months. Postcards and stamps will be supplied, for which a $5 donation is requested. Refreshments will be served and socializing encouraged! To receive emails announcing these postcarding events, please contact Ellen at esward2@gmail.com.
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In the News: Stating that Washington voters are committed to climate legislation, The Columbian Editorial Board asserted that funds from the Climate Commitment Act can only be used for projects that actively cut greenhouse gas emissions, and should not be diverted for other purposes. https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/feb/11/in-our-view-washington-voters-committed-to-climate-act/
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The Port of Vancouver USA is offering free lectures, to be held at the Kiggins Theater in downtown Vancouver on March 6, March 19, and April 3. Topics include Astoria's Columbia River Maritime Museum, Update on Port Projects and Activities, and Washington State’s Public Ports. Port Commissioners will be available for conversation before the programs begin. For information, contact Julie Rawls at 360-823-5297 or jrawls@portvanusa.com.
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For a wider view, you can read about Sierra Club’s national issues at https://www.sierraclub.org. For Washington Chapter issues and to sign up for the monthly digital newsletter, Evergreen, go to https://www.sierraclub.org/washington. |
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| Loo Wit’s General Membership meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:45 p.m. on Zoom. For the link, contact markleed02@gmail.com. |
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ExCom Members (elected, with voting privileges)
Thanks to our Advisory Committee
Jean Avery (editor), Sharon Fujioka, Frank Marre, Rick Marshall, Donna Schnuck, Alona Kotka Steinke, Don Steinke, Fred Suter, and Helen Madsen Ost
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