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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.