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Welcome to WC CAN

Washington County Citizen Action Network (WC CAN) is a coalition of grassroots advocates (individuals and groups) dedicated to improving quality of life in Washington County by promoting healthy and sustainable communities, social and economic justice, and open and responsive government.

Learn more about WC CAN...

WC CAN Chair interviewed about 2020 wildfires

In 2020, fires in Oregon, Washington, and California burned some 5 million acres, marking the West Coast's worst fire season in at least 70 years.   The blazes killed at least 35 people, destroyed hundreds of structures, and caused extreme air pollution that threatened the health of millions of residents.   Millions up and down the coast spent weeks living under thick clouds of smoke and ash.   Ecologists also fear the wildfires could inflict lasting damage on species and ecosystems.

Data from two NASA satellites that can detect heat, shows that fire activity in California, Oregon and Washington in 2020 eclipsed even the worst previous year.

Dale Feik is the Chair of Washington County Citizen Action Network and Project Director of Hillsboro Air & Water, located in Washington County, Oregon.   We will talk with Dale about his experience with the wildfires in Portland, OR, what work he's doing/done to combat air pollution, how wildfires are linked with climate change, and what his hope for the future is.

Listen to the podcast, presented by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

New resource available: "Footprint" by John Patterson

"Footprint" is an entertaining and easy-to-understand guide to global warming, energy awareness, and renewable energy.  It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand why top scientists all over the world are so concerned about global warming and climate change.

You can find the book on our Documents and Publications page, or download and read it here (PDF, 10MB).

LCDC issues enforcement order and injunction against WaCo for failure to protect SNRs

Oregon LCDC has issued an enforcement order against Washington County for its lack of compliance with statewide land use planning goals designed to protect Significant Natural Resources (SNRs).

The Commission also imposed an injunction prohibiting it from processing applications for developments in designated "Wildlife Habitat" until it comes into compliance with state law.

Read the full story on our Natural Resources issues page.

Beaverton TV Toastmasters interviews WC CAN Chair

WC CAN Chair Dale Feik was recently interviewed by the Beaverton TV Toastmasters.   The interview highlights Dale's climate change activism.  Watch the interview:

Another WC CAN Board Member Receives Citizen Involvement Award!

WC CAN Board Member Jim Long has been selected as the Harold M. Haynes Community Involvement Award recipient for 2019.  Members of CPO 4K nominated Jim for the award, which was then submitted by CPO 4B to the Committee for Community Involvement (CCI), who made the final selection. 

Read the Washington County article

View the award presentation on TVCTV (begins at 10:20)

Congratulations, Jim!

WC CAN Board Member Receives Citizen Involvement Award!

WC CAN Board Member Luis Nava has been selected as the Harold M. Haynes Community Involvement Award recipient for 2016.  WC CAN submitted Luis' nomination to the Committee for Community Involvement (CCI), who made the final selection. 

Read the press release

Congratulations, Luis!

Current highlights

WC CAN is engaging some of the most urgent issues facing Washington County communities.  Our board committees bring forward critical issues, share information, and coordinate actions.  We send alerts, announcements, and provide reference materials via the Google Group, this website, and our Facebook page.  Some current areas of attention include:

• DEQ permitting for Intel's air-polluting emissions: Partnering with Neighors for Clean Air (NCA), we petitioned the Governor and Legislature for stricter regulation following Intel's admission of failure to file or report on fluoride emissions for over 30 years.  Our Legislative and Air Quality Committees are working with key legislators to improve oversight by DEQ, health agencies, and jurisdictions granting tax breaks under Oregon's Strategic Investment Program.  Our representatives advised NCA/Northwest Environmental Defense Council attorneys on a Settlement Agreement with Intel, guiding further negotiations toward stricter controls and measures to be included in a Title V permit. 
• Oregon Legislative Action: Our priorities are: tax fairness, affordable housing, improved environmental regulation, and protection of Oregon's Land Use Planning System, especially regarding citizens' rights, local government accountability, and access to judicial review of land use decisions.
• Washington County Transportation Planning: Faun Hosey chairs our Land Use and Transportation Committee.  She and other active WC CAN members serve on the Community Advisory Committee for the county's Transportation System Plan Update (TSPU) – a multi-year effort leading to adoption of transportation facility project routes and designs up to 2035.  Another priority is the Washington County Transportation Study (WCTS): $1.5 million allocated to Washington County at the end of the 2013 legislative session was originally a City of Hillsboro request to research Westside Corridor freeway options.  Washington County reframed it as a study of Westside transportation needs in the next 50 years.