Clark County is accepting nominations for the 2022 Green Awards, an annual celebration and awards program recognizing leaders in environmental sustainability.

Clark County Public Health is seeking nominations for organizations and individuals who consider the environment in decision-making and practices. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:

• Green Business Award for a business with 25 or fewer employees
• Green Business Award for a business with more than 25 employees
• Green Business… Read More

Clark County Public Health is warning the community about a recent increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses. Preliminary evidence suggests much of the increase may be due to fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Fentanyl may be added to illicit drugs during their production without the drug user’s knowledge. This has resulted in substantial increases in drug overdose deaths across the country, including in Clark County. In Clark County, fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 200% from 2019 to… Read More

Clark County Public Health has lifted its blue-green algae advisories at Round Lake and Lacamas Lake in Camas. The blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at both lakes have dissipated.

Public Health removed the warning advisory at Lacamas Lake earlier this month after test results from water samples showed toxin levels were no longer elevated. The warning advisory at Round Lake remained in place until the bloom dissipated this week.

The warning advisory signs posted at the lakes are being removed. However, educational signs about blue-green algae will… Read More

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants to fill two volunteer positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

The open positions represent the stakeholders below:

• North Clark County
• Clark County at-large  

Terms for all positions begin immediately and end Sept. 30, 2024.

Commission members act as representatives of their regions or stakeholder groups and advise the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste-reduction programs. Members also, at times… Read More

Clark County Public Health has lifted its blue-green algae advisory at Vancouver Lake. The bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at the lake dissipated and results from water samples collected this week showed toxin levels are no longer elevated.

The advisory signs posted at the lake are being removed. However, educational signs about blue-green algae will remain year-round at Vancouver Lake and other waterbodies known to have harmful algal blooms. Public Health encourages people recreating in the lake to continue to watch for floating blue-green-colored scum and… Read More

Clark County Public Health is encouraging residents to take precautions during Halloween activities to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

Clark County’s COVID-19 case rate is slowly decreasing but remains very high. Last week’s case rate of 450.9 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days is comparable to peak rates during the winter months.

“We want people to be able to enjoy Halloween. But with virus activity still high, it’s important to take precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and… Read More

Clark County Public Health is seeking community feedback about proposed changes to the county’s Solid Waste Enforcement code. The last full review of Clark County Code 24.12 was about 30 years ago.

Public Health conducted an internal review process and is proposing updates to language, titles and responsibilities, and references. Additional proposed changes would better define and clarify standards and implement policy changes in the interest of… Read More

The Clark County Council is requesting applications for two volunteer positions on the Mosquito Control District Board of Trustees.

One position represents district 1 and the other represents district 3. A district map is on the county’s website. Terms for both positions begin Jan. 1, 2022 and end Dec. 31, 2023. 

The Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Clark County Mosquito Control District. The board establishes policy, manages expenditures and approves contracts for… Read More

Flu season is approaching, and the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to circulate at high levels, putting a strain on local hospitals. Flu vaccination provides the best protection against influenza illness and can help to reduce the burden on local hospitals.

Flu activity was low last year because of flu vaccination, physical distancing, masking, school closures, business and event restrictions, and limited travel. But with many of the COVID-19 restrictions lifted this year, flu has a higher chance of spreading in the community.

“We can’t predict how severe this flu… Read More

Clark County Public Health is downgrading the advisories at Vancouver Lake and Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas. The danger advisories at all three lakes are being downgraded to warning.

Blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are still present at all three lakes, but test results from water samples collected this week show toxin levels are no longer elevated.

As long as algae are present, toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lakes change. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with water in areas with floating blue-green-… Read More