The task force will identify, plan, and make recommendations for the conversion of the former corrections facility to an alternate use
VANCOUVER – The Clark County Council is looking for a volunteer who resides near the former Larch Corrections Center to serve on the Larch Correction Center Task Force. The task force will identify, plan, and make recommendations for the conversion of the former corrections facility to an alternate use.
The one-year term of this position begins immediately and ends on June 30, 2025. The volunteer will be selected by the county council and may be reimbursed for travel expenses per state statute.
The 2024 Washington State Legislature directed the State Office of Financial Management (OFM) to establish the task force. The task force will meet at a minimum of once every other month from July 2024 to June 2025. OFM plans to schedule the first meeting during the week of July 22. The group must submit its recommendations on alternate uses for the site to the Governor and Legislature by June 30, 2025.
In addition to a volunteer living near the facility, the task force will be made up of representatives from the following organizations:
- The state senator and a state representative whose district represents the Yacolt community;
- The County Council;
- The tribe located nearest to the facility;
- The County Sheriff’s Office;
- The Department of Corrections;
- The Department of Ecology;
- The Department of Natural Resources;
- The Department of Social and Health Services;
- The Department of Enterprise Services; and
- The Office of Financial Management.
Anyone living near the facility and interested in serving on the task force is encouraged to send a letter of interest to Michell Pfenning, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98660 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 10.
The former Larch Corrections Center is located near the Town of Yacolt and operated as a minimum-security facility for 67 years. The Washington State Department of Corrections closed the facility in October 2023 and transferred all incarcerated individuals to other facilities throughout the state.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- Opinion: Washington is bleeding taxpayers and now a State Representative wants to make it worse
Mark Harmsworth argues that a proposed statewide payroll tax would worsen Washington’s ongoing loss of jobs, businesses, and economic competitiveness. - Theater students overcome challenges for the love of their art at River HomeLink
River HomeLink theater students overcome an atypical schedule and lack of a stage as they prepare Descendants: The Musical for performances at Prairie High School. - Tix for Tots hosting original Nativity performanceA free Nativity performance and community event hosted by Tix for Tots will take place Dec. 20 in Battle Ground.
- Opinion: Simultaneous left turnsDoug Dahl explains how Washington law directs drivers to make simultaneous left turns by passing to the left of each other in an intersection.
- Opinion: WEA secret meeting about opposing the initiatives gets leakedAn opinion from Let’s Go Washington criticizes a leaked Washington Education Association meeting about opposing LGW’s initiatives on girls’ sports and school transparency.
- WA Gov. Bob Ferguson says his budget will rely on cuts, not taxes, to balanceGov. Bob Ferguson plans to balance Washington’s budget through spending cuts, rejecting sales and property tax increases amid a multi-billion dollar shortfall.
- City of Battle Ground implements electronic plan reviewThe City of Battle Ground launches eReview, an electronic plan review platform that streamlines permit submissions and improves transparency and efficiency starting December 1, 2025.
Where are the meeting going to take place ? This is a big factor for those living by the former prison during winter driving conditions .