WashCo Gas Stations and Wetlands: Frontpage of Beaverton Valley Times, Over 100 Signatures
Hello Everyone-
Ten days ago we started a campaign to get Washington County residents to sign onto our letter to request that the County introduce setbacks for gas stations near sensitive areas like wetlands, parks, schools, etc. And today we have over 100 signatures and the Beaverton Valley Times put an article on their frontpage. Keep reading for details!
(Please read the letter and data if you haven't.)
Beaverton Valley Times Frontpage!
Earlier this week, Beaverton Valley Times ran an article (on the front page!) about our campaign to introduce setbacks for gas stations near sensitive areas. The article highlights many key points of our argument including the Oregon DEQ data that 3% of underground storage tanks had a leak last year, Bob Barman's proposed gas station that will store 52,000 gallons of petroleum 80 feet from public wetlands in Bethany, and the catastrophic gas station leak in Monmouth in 2021.
Read the full Times article (archive)
Over 100 signatures! Letter to Washington County Staff
We are making great progress on our draft letter to Washington County Land Use staff. Please keep sharing the letter with friends and neighbors anywhere in Washington County- from Sherwood to Banks and anywhere in between.
Some traction on the letter so far:
- Over 100 Washington County residents have signed so far.
- A frontpage article in the Beaverton Valley Times.
- I presented this week to the Washington County Community Participation Organization District 1 (CPO1) and they voted to support the letter.
- I will present the letter at the Bethany CPO (CPO7) on Monday Feb 14th .
- The letter has support from Tualatin River Keepers and 350PDX Washington County
As a reminder this is what we are requesting specifically:
Our request: We want Washington County land use codes updated to require that gas stations, currently operating gas stations excluded, be a minimum of 1,500 feet from any public park or playground, school, hospital, church, theater, dwelling unit, public library or building for public assembly; or any wetland, stream, river, flood plain, or environmentally sensitive area. We also want to see this applied to all zones across the County without an option for variance to ensure equitable and objective application of this requirement.
Please Sign Your Name!
Do you agree? Should Washington County update its land use code to restrict gas stations from being developed near sensitive areas? If so, please reply to this email with your name and street address. I will add it to the signatures on the letter and CC you when I send the letter.
- Send an email to brandon@nabgas.com to sign the letter
Intros to Washintgon County Environmental & Community Groups?
In addition to adding residents' signatures of Washington County we are contacting local community groups that would support the code change. We are thankful to have the support of Tualatin River Keepers, CPO1, and 350 PDX. We want to add more groups so if you would be willing to make introductions to leaders at high school & community college environmental groups, local environmental groups, or other community advocacy groups please let me know.
Thank You,
Brandon Philips