The Clark County Agricultural Advisory Commission voted to approve edited recommendations to forward to the County Council on the county's agricultural resource lands study, emphasizing maintenance of existing agricultural designations while the county establishes a formal designation and de-designation process.

The commission's motion—moved by Ruth Anderson and seconded by Diane Dempster—authorized staff to present the edited package to the joint planning commission/council hearing. Commissioners emphasized two near-term goals for the document: (1) retain existing agricultural designations and not allow de-designation until the county has a clear, GMA-aligned process for designation and de-designation; and (2) develop clear criteria for designation that include proximity to markets and ecological benefits as explicit factors.

Members agreed to reposition language about transfer development rights (TDR) and purchase of development rights (PDR) programs into the designation criteria (moved to section 2.b.6 in the edited draft) and to pursue feasibility or targeted programs for agricultural land preservation. The body voted to table the remainder of a broader "support for farmers and agricultural economy" section (policy and code review, workforce, fragmentation, etc.) for development by future subcommittees.

Commissioners described the rationale behind additions to the criteria. Justin O'Day of WSU Extension and several commissioners argued that market proximity (worded as "proximity to markets") can be a positive indicator of farm viability, particularly for specialty and direct-market operations in Clark County's largely small-parcel landscape. Other commissioners urged adding ecological benefits as a criterion so designation deliberations weigh habitat and environmental values alongside production potential.

The commission also agreed on a short summary paragraph to accompany the recommendations, stating that the commission recognizes that agricultural viability in Clark County depends on policies, code, and investment that support agriculture and that the commission will provide further recommendations as work continues.

Next steps: staff noted the planning commission will hold joint hearings with the County Council beginning Jan. 8, with planning commission deliberations Jan. 15 and the council expected to select a preferred alternative by Feb. 3. The commission authorized a representative to present the recommendations at the joint hearing and plans follow-up work in January to prepare materials staff and the presenter will use.

Quotes: "The Ag Commission recognizes that the viability of the agricultural sector in Clark County relies on policies, code, and investment that supports agriculture. Look for more recommendations from us," said Matthew Cornwell as commissioners finalized the summary language.

Outcome: The motion to approve the edited recommendations carried; one member indicated she intended to abstain and an abstention was recorded.