RES 20-016 RESOLUTION NO . 20 - 016
A RESOLUTION of the Council of the City of Camas ,
Washington addressing the importance of improving the water
quality within the Lacamas Creek Watershed, including Lacamas ,
Round and Fallen Leaf Lakes , and establishing an ad hoc
committee to be known as the " Lacamas Creek Watershed
Committee" to investigate and advise on water quality topics .
WHEREAS , RCW 35A . 12 . 120 provides that the council of the non- charter code city has
the authority to determine its own rules and order of business and may establish rules for the
conduct of council meetings and the maintenance of order; and
WHEREAS , included within the authority set forth within RCW35Al2 . 120 is the ability
to establish and operate internal city council committees ; and
WHEREAS , Lacamas Lake , Round Lake and Fallen Leaf have rich histories in the
community and the Council wishes to take all reasonable measures to protect them as vital
resources , in partnership with other local, state and Federal agencies ; and
WHEREAS , lakes are of significant importance to the City and region for recreation, our
quality of life, and attracting business and new development ; and
WHEREAS , water quality within the lakes of the City of Camas , particularly Lacamas
Lake, has been noted of concern for some years , with Clark County and State Department of
Ecology led efforts to study and improve water quality commencing in the late 1990 ' s ; and
WHEREAS , these initial efforts relating to water quality were successful at the time but
have not translated into long-term improvements due to changing conditions and circumstances ;
and
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WHEREAS , in 2019 , algae blooms were for the first time reported and confirmed in
Fallen Leaf Lake and blooms have continued into 2020 ; and
WHEREAS , the year 2020 has seen algae blooms being presented for the earliest on
record in Lacamas and Round Lakes and blooms have continued throughout the year; and
WHEREAS , the deterioration of water quality in our lakes and the causes of poor water
quality is a complex issue not solely related to an individual discharge point or recreational use ,
and involves reviewing a myriad of uses within the entire Lacamas Creek watershed with
involvement of multiple local, state and Federal agencies to accurately and meaningfully attempt
to resolve ; and
WHEREAS , regional partners to the City of Camas all agree that water quality is of
concern and a technical staff committee met in early . 2020 to discuss these issues ; and
WHEREAS , City and County councilors and staff have been coordinating on a form of
Interlocal Agreement by which both the agencies pledge agreement in the importance of
improving water quality and the dedication of resources and time towards the effort, in
collaboration with other available resources ; and
WHEREAS , the State Department of Ecology has a Lacamas Creek Source Assessment
budgeted to begin within an approximate timeframe of 2023 which is expected to follow their
completion of a source assessment on Burnt Bridge Creek, all efforts to furthering the
understanding of the quality of water coming into the lakes from Lacamas Creek ; and
WHEREAS , City Council desires to address water quality issues within our lakes to
allow for a plan to address immediate restoration of recreational uses and development of long-
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term implementation and management plan to improve and maintain water quality in perpetuity ,
and
WHEREAS , the water quality of Lacamas Lake , Round Lake , and Fallen Leaf Lake is of
utmost concern to the region and the resources need to be improved and protected for future
generations ; and
WHEREAS , there are a large number of citizens in the community who value and agree
with the importance of improving the water quality within the Lakes and have been
independently meeting for several months to explore and discuss ideas to improve water quality ;
and
WHEREAS , the Council desires to formalize the process outlined in this Resolution ,
establish goals related to improving the watershed, set expectations of staff and volunteers , and
establish a committee to assist the City in these efforts and set forth a termination date for the
work of the committee .
NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAMAS AS FOLLOWS :
I
A . The City Council hereby designates Lacamas , Round and Fallen Leaf Lakes as
vital resources for the community and further indicate that staff time and
resources shall be allocated to developing short and long-term plans for
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improving water quality to support recreational uses and quality of life in the
community.
B . Staff is directed to develop a 2021 and 2022 biennium budget proposal for council
consideration that will aid in the success of the staff and ad hoc advisory
committee in developing and submitting to council recommended strategies to
meet the short- and long-term needs of the community .
C . Staff shall continue working with local , state and Federal agencies to obtain
guidance and assistance in improving water quality and help find funding for the
various strategies and plans to be recommended .
D . There is hereby established an ad hoc citizens advisory committee to be known as
"Lacamas Creek Watershed Committee" with the purpose of advising on lake
water quality issues and strategies and provide a structure for a partnership with
and accountability to the community . The role and expectations for said Advisory
Committee are set forth in general as provided herein . The Advisory Committee
shall report to the Council and collaborate with the Public Works Director or
designee and perform such duties as may be directed thereto . The Public Works
Director or designee , in consultation with the Advisory Committee , shall provide
periodic updates to the Council on the activities of the Committee . The names and
appointment of members of the Advisory Committee shall be established by
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separate motion of the Council . All records of the Advisory Committee shall be
maintained as may be needed to comply with applicable public records laws of
the State of Washington .
II
Unless otherwise extended by adoption of a motion by the City Council the terms of all
members of the committee as herein established shall terminate as of December 31 , 2022 .
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PASSED by the Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this tP day of .Roy
2020 .
SIGNED :
Mayor
ATTEST :
Clerk
APPROVED as to form :
City Attorney