Cowlitz County Board Set to Approve $72K for Weed Treatment Grants

Cowlitz County Commissioners are set to approve significant funding and projects aimed at enhancing local environmental management and public services during their upcoming meeting.

One of the key items on the agenda is a request for approval of a contract exceeding $50,000, which has been thoroughly reviewed and negotiated to secure competitive pricing. This contract is essential for moving forward with a project that promises to benefit the community, although specific details about the project were not disclosed.

In addition, Public Works will present two major initiatives. The first is a call for bids for a gas collection and control system at the headquarters landfill, which involves the installation of approximately 20 vertical wells. This long-term gas extraction system is crucial for managing landfill emissions and ensuring environmental compliance.

The second initiative involves seeking proposals for a new concessionaire at the Cowlitz County Public Shooting Range. This move aims to enhance services and gather public feedback on the shooting range's operations.

Furthermore, the Cowlitz County Noxious Weeds program will introduce two grant funding items. The first grant, from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, will increase funding for knotweed treatment from $20,000 to $25,000 over two years, reflecting a growing need for invasive species management. The second grant, amounting to $47,000, will support weed treatments within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, focusing on invasive species control to protect local wildlife habitats.

These discussions highlight the county's commitment to environmental stewardship and public service enhancement, with decisions expected to have a lasting impact on the community's ecological health and recreational opportunities. The commissioners will finalize these approvals in their meeting scheduled for tomorrow.