Editor,
As a 30-year resident of Clark County, I thought I understood county bureaucracy. It used to be an iterative process. Proposals were made, hearings were held, the public testified. I thought there were rules. Councilors constantly state the need for public participation. Now, I am not sure this is the case.
On Sept. 25 in Chelatchie, an illegal road was cut through wetlands, trees were felled, fish bearing streams were trashed, all without required permits by the Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR). No hydraulic permit, road permit, vegetation clearing permits were ever filed, all clearly required by county codes.
PVJR seems to be a law unto itself. They claim they do not have to follow state or county law. They assert federal immunity. They wish to evoke eminent domain within the railroad overlay, rezoning parcels without public input and even claim special police powers. So, they went ahead without any permits.
PVJR is only a lessee of the railroad. Clark County is the property owner. In my opinion, PVJR has no ownership rights to change zoning and ordinance deferrals. Frankly, it violated its lease by disregarding county ordinances and State law.
Clark County has done nothing in response, although county staff have visited the site twice, to view the damage. The departments of Ecology, Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency have all issued “stop and desist” orders. Environmental damage occurred Sept. 25, and more than two months later, PVJR has yet to be charged by code enforcement, nor have county staff made any statement. Residents are looking forward to enforcement action, by drastically reinforcing or canceling PVJR’s lease.
County councilors and the county manager have remained silent on this issue. From this citizen’s perspective, the biggest bully appears to be winning. Democracy is failing, and people with the most money get their way. The lease arrangement was hardly a public process. The citizens of Chelatchie Prairie are suffering, while a Medina millionaire is bullying the neighborhood and the entire county. Where are you, councilors? You are failing to represent the diversity of citizens, who expect a properly run railroad.
Jim Byrne
Ridgefield
