Methow Valley Citizens' Council
Home Page
Topics |
|
Our Mission
The mission of the Methow Valley Citizens’ Council is to promote and maintain the rural and agricultural character of the Methow Valley by:-
working to keep growth of population and industry within limits formed
by the valley’s physical, natural and social resources;
working to maintain or enhance present levels of water and air quality and wildlife populations;
presenting information to the general public and decision makers on environmental
and land-use issues, and on the economic and environmental dynamics underlying those issues;
encouraging maximum citizen involvement in the decision making process;
urging county, state and federal agencies to be responsive to local values;
encouraging farms and locally-owned businesses that will provide a variety
of sustainable employment opportunities and a diversified economic base;
critically evaluating any venture that could severely increase property taxes
or pose other financial risks or obligations on Methow Valley residents.
The Methow Valley Citizens' CouncilMVCC board meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 PM, where convenient. Everyone is welcome to attend. In 1999 the Methow Valley Citizens' Council celebrated its 25th anniversary of working to promote and maintain the rural and agricultural character of the Methow Valley. We welcome your participation.
PO Box 774
Twisp WA 98856
phone: 509-997-4811
Chairman - Vicky Welch
Vice Chair - Kathleen Hirschstein
Secretary - Teresa Allen
Treasurer - George Wooten
Advisors:
James Donaldson
Isabelle Spohn
Board Members:
Lorah Waters
Maeyowa
What's So Special About the Methow?
Surrounded by Wilderness, Park, and National Forest, the beauty of the Methow Valley, from the snowcapped peaks in the fall to the blooming of the sunflowers in the spring, is treasured by both residents and visitors alike. Unique among rural areas, the Methow is only five hours from the dense populations centers of the Puget Sound Basin yet it has been sheltered from development by the surrounding mountains. For many years, winding roads from the south and east provided the only access and no through route. Even with the opening of the North Cascades Highway in 1972, the area remains a quiet backwater free from many of the trappings of urban America. But all of this is changing. We've been discovered and with many more visitors, residents, and businesses on the way, the need to plan is increasing. All across the country, rural areas are buckling under the pressure from outside interests to develop communities which resemble the suburbs of American cities. In the zeal to produce both profits and developments urban and suburban dwellers are comfortable with, the unique rural character of areas like the Methow are lost. Fast food chains quickly replace the local diner and the billboards block out the barns. Those who love the valley for its natural and rural beauty need to constantly learn, and help others to learn how to live with deer and other wildlife, control residential sprawl, hold down land taxes, etc. The Methow Valley Citizens Council formed in 1975, in response to massive development plans proposed by outside interests. The Council is made up of a broad based cross-section of those who love the valley, from native to newcomers, permanent residents to visitors. Its members are active in promoting, county, state, and federal guidelines that have a positive effect on the local environment. The Council works to encourage appropriate zoning for rural settings, protections for air quality, water quality, wildlife and plant communities. The Council favors a low impact, diversified economy in which the valley's human inhabitants match activities to live within the limits which will preserve the natural rural setting. MVCC has developed relationships with elected officials and agency personnel in order to identify and meet our common goals.
