For the eighth consecutive year, the Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant has been recognized for 100 percent environmental compliance. The Washington State Department of Ecology’s Outstanding Performance award honors the Salmon Creek plant for passing environmental tests, analyzing water samples, planning to prevent sewage spills, and finishing 2014 without any permit violations. Of the approximately 300 wastewater treatment plants operating in Washington, 127 were honored for 100 percent compliance last year.

Vancouver, WA – Two upcoming events offer opportunities to improve local trails and celebrate Legacy Lands’ 30th anniversary in Clark County. Anniversary activities for August include work parties in two large natural areas: • 9 a.m. - noon Saturday, Aug. 1 – Join the Whipple Creek Regional Park Restoration Committee as volunteers continue to improve trails in this 300-acre forested park. Nature trails are being restored with gravel surfacing. Register at parkhero.org.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s timber harvest activities garnered high marks for environmental protection and sustainability during a recent audit by a Washington-based non-profit dedicated to healthy forests. The audit documented sustainable forestry practices under a program administered by the county’s Environmental Services department. Forest stewardship plans for Camp Bonneville and Green Mountain target selective harvest, small patch cuts, habitat creation and understory planting to support diverse plants and animals.

Vancouver, WA -- Clark County and regional partners will look for new options to recycle block foam after the only processor in the Portland-Vancouver area stopped accepting the material. Clark County Environmental Services learned earlier this month that Far West Recycling in Portland is no longer accepting block foam for processing. Consequently, Empower Up, 3206 N.E. 52nd St., will no longer accept block foam. The county has contracted with Empower Up since 2011 to receive block foam and prepare it for processing in Portland.

Vancouver, WA – Ongoing work to improve the Northeast 78th Street-47th Avenue intersection in the Hazel Dell area will require three weekend road closures. Northeast 78th Street will be closed to all traffic at the intersection from: • 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14, to 6 a.m. Monday, May 18. • 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21, to 6 a.m. Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day). • 9 p.m. Friday, May 29, to 6 a.m. Monday, June 1. During the closures, drivers will need to use alternate routes such as Northeast Andresen Road, Northeast 63rd Street or 88th Street and Northeast St. Johns Road.

Vancouver, WA – With spring in the air, it is a great time to head outdoors for a hike. Clark County has many recreational sites, including scenic properties and habitat conservation areas within the Legacy Lands program. To encourage visits, Clark County will feature areas open to the public while celebrating the program’s 30th anniversary this year. Two events will showcase Legacy Lands this month at the La Center Bottoms Wetlands, just south of Sternwheeler Park. • 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 – Join the Vancouver Audubon Society for a guided bird watching tour.

Vancouver, WA – With spring in the air, it is a great time to head outdoors. Clark County has many recreational sites, including scenic properties and habitat conservation areas within the Legacy Lands program. To encourage visits, Clark County will feature areas open to the public while celebrating the program’s 30th anniversary this year. Two events will showcase Legacy Lands this month: • Salmon Creek Greenway, 1112 N.E. 117th St.: More than three miles of paved and nature trails provide excellent wildlife and bird watching opportunities.

STEVE is an acronym for Signal Timing, Evaluation, Verification and Enhancement. It is a project to collect data to further refine and improve signal timing and coordination on the county’s busiest streets. The Board of County Councilors today accepted a $920,000 federal grant to build upon the county’s ongoing traffic signal optimization program. Clark County will provide the remaining 20 percent of the project’s estimated $1.15 million cost. The grant will be administered by the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council.

Vancouver, WA – Up to $3 million in federal funds will be used to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Last summer, Clark County and the city of Ridgefield jointly applied for funding to improve Northwest Main Avenue, from 300 feet inside the city limits north to the wildlife refuge headquarters at 28908 N.W. Main Ave. Western Federal Lands Highway Division, part of the U.S.

Vancouver, Wash. – Drivers attempting to exit northbound I-205 at the Northeast 134th Street off-ramp will need to take an alternate exit tonight--Monday, June 14 beginning at 9 p.m.

Crews with Clark County Public Works’ contractor, Granite Construction of Vancouver, Wash., will place an asphalt overlay called hot-mix asphalt, or HMA, on the pavement on Northeast 134th Street.