A huge “thank you” to two local elected officials who are champions for Vancouver Lake.
The first is 49th District Sen. Annette Cleveland, who identified $150,000 in the state budget for the county to develop a Vancouver Lake management plan. The second is Clark County Councilor Gary Medvigy, who worked with the county administrator and staff to begin this critical work.
This lake management plan builds upon the legacy of U.S. Sen. Warren Magnuson who, as chair of the Appropriations Committee, found federal funds back in the mid-1980s to dredge the lake and build the flushing channel between the lake and the Columbia River.
At the time, Congress was clear that this was not a “one and done” initiative. Regrettably, despite the lake’s environmental importance and magnificent recreational opportunities, local governments have done too little to assure the lake water is safe and the flushing channel flows properly.