Methow Valley resident Maggie Coon has been named this year’s recipient of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition’s (WWRC) Thomas Award, which recognizes significant, long-term contributions to conservation and preservation in the state. Coon, a founder and current president of the Methow Valley Citizens Council and a former chair of the WWRC, is being honored […]
Methow Valley Citizens' Council
Minbashian brings experience, passion to top MVCC job
Jasmine Minbashian saw firsthand what being a citizen of the Methow Valley felt like when the Twisp River Fire forced her and her family to evacuate in 2015.
“The way the community supported us was such a beautiful thing. I’ve seen this community come together in such …
County nearing completion of new plan to protect shorelines
It’s been two-and-a-half years since the Okanogan County commissioners signed off on a revised draft to the plan that covers development near — and protects the ecological function of — lakes and rivers, and almost two years…
Commissioners open 365 miles of roads to ATVs
There are now almost 365 miles of roads open to ATV riders in the northeastern part of Okanogan County, with the adoption of a resolution by the county commissioners on Monday (Nov. 27).
After considering comments from the public and land-management agencies about …
County’s comp plan review begins in earnest this month
It took 51 years for the Okanogan County commissioners to adopt a new comprehensive plan, but that 2014 plan quickly became the subject of lawsuits contending that it fails to protect water quality, doesn’t address wildfire risk, and doesn’t protect wildlife habitat.
County gets improved marks for ATV road designation process
Okanogan County’s systematic process to assess roads for use by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) got high marks from members of the local ATV rider club — and from a conservation group that filed the successful lawsuit which led…
Three Devils Road closed after high court declines to hear appeal from challengers
The Washington State Supreme Court has denied a request to review a challenge to the closure of Three Devils Road, ending the lawsuit and allowing 3 miles of the remote road to be gated. The gated section traverses land owned by Gamble Land and Timber, which petitioned Okanogan County in 2015 to vacate the road to protect its adjacent property …
Superior Court judge suspends comp plan lawsuit against county
A lawsuit challenging Okanogan County’s comprehensive plan and zoning code has been suspended for now, while county commissioners reconsider the planning and zoning documents.
The Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC), which filed the lawsuit with Futurewise, welcomed the stay issued last week …
State Supreme Court still considering request on Three Devils Road suit
The Washington Supreme Court is still evaluating an April request from a citizens’ group to hear a lawsuit about whether the Okanogan County commissioners had the right to close a remote road in the Chiliwist.
This week the court agreed to consider …
Oral arguments heard in county comp plan suit
Oral arguments in the lawsuit over Okanogan County’s comprehensive plan and zoning code—the suit claims the plans fail to protect water quality, don’t address wildfire risk, and don’t protect wildlife habitat—were heard in court recently.
Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Chris Culp heard arguments on May 1, …
