Development is inevitable...but why choose Lacamas Prairie?

Camas specifically, but also greater Clark County is a wonderful place to live. It's an area richly blessed with a diverse abundance of natural resources that allows humans, plants and animals to somehow co-exist, adapting to the inevitable changes brought about by growth. This co-existence, however is being challenged as development continues in our backyards.

How is this development allowed? The comprehensive planning underway in Camas and Clark County is meant to address Washington's Growth Management Act "mandate" brought about by recognition that our area's natural attractions and strong economy are projected to draw some 200,000 more residents to Clark County by 2045. The "mandate" is that the state expects each County to accommodate projected population shifts and growth with smart, participative and comprehensive planning to best manage the ensuing development. 

Does the development have to be in MY backyard?  Some may ask "why do we have to grow; can't growth happen somewhere else?" Well, that's where each voice must be heard to recognize growth must happen somewhere, but a better question perhaps, is where does it make best sense? The current planning process designates Urban Growth Areas (UGA's) as the preferred places set aside for various regulations and controls for commercial or residential developments to occur, with intent to control sprawl, use existing infrastructure (vs extending infrastructure over long distances), attempting to distinguish between urban and rural areas and concentrating development in more ideal places.

When development and nature clash. So if growth is coming and development is inevitable, why would a developer propose a development known as the Schnell Farms PUD in an already stressed, ecologically sensitive area - the Lacamas Prairie - that is sandwiched between the Vancouver and Camas UGAs? There's no doubt its rural nature, natural beauty and being adjacent to Lacamas Creek are attractive features, but regardless of the developer's intentions here, there are adverse impacts to developing so  close to this sensitive conservation area. According to an article published in 2022 in the Columbian, the Lacamas Prairie is "Washington's best surviving remnant of the dwindling ecosystem known as the Willamette Valley wet prairie. It once covered more than  one million acres along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers." The vast majority of this area was converted to farmland in the early 1900's. This unique ecosystem now occupies approximately just 2,000 acres in our state, with Washington's Department of Natural Resources working hard to restore the 1,600 acre patch known as the Lacamas Prairie Natural Area. 

The impacts.  Biodiversity stress to rare plants, further ecosystem fragmentation to an already challenged piece of terrain, changes in hydrology due to excessive runoff from impervious surfaces, and additional nutrient loading are just a few adverse impacts we have seen occur in similar places. Recently taken off the threatened and endangered species list, Bradshaw's lomatium among several other rare plant species are named as residents of this unique ecosystem. Bulldozing these unique plants off the landscape induces further stresses to this challenged ecosystem which is already encroached and impacted from the recent and ongoing North Shore development in Camas. Developing patchwork hardscapes with non-native plants being substituted for the native plants now growing there further reduces biodiversity and fragments the natural plant-animal connections in place now. Changing the natural hydrology also impacts this ecosystem, quickly concentrating rainfall into stormwater pipes that rapidly convey water away from the prairie instead of allowing the water to naturally soak into the ground like a sponge, serving as a source of life to plants currently stressed by increasing periods of summer drought. And with residential development comes additional nutrients and pesticides from the properties that will ultimately be covered in ornamental plants and lush green lawns - neither suitable for sustaining the insects nor animals now dwelling on this prairie. These nutrients are quickly conveyed through stormwater pipes, or in overland runoff during high intensity rain events, ultimately discharging into Lacamas Creek which is already THE major source of nutrients causing harmful algal blooms each summer season, making the water unsafe for human recreation and extremely hazardous - even fatally toxic - to pets. 

What can I do??  Here are a few constructive things each resident who cares about the future of Lacamas Prairie and Lacamas Lake can do...

1) Put your voice on record about the need to develop in UGAs, leaving larger buffers for environmentally stressed areas, in Clark County's Comprehensive Planning process. There is a public meeting on 5/7/2024 where you can learn more about the process and participate in other upcoming events. 
2) Write and address your elected officials with your concerns about the adverse impacts involved in developing naturally sensitive areas like the Lacamas Prairie. 
3) Volunteer for organizations who are striving for a better balance to growth in our region and taking actions at the local level to make a positive change. In addition to our crew at the Camas Earth Day Society, there are others in the region such as Friends of Clark County who are also meaningfully engaged in a green future for Clark County.  

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