Clark County Public Health’s summer swim beach monitoring begins Tuesday, May 30. Throughout the summer, Public Health will monitor water quality at the county’s three designated swim beaches – Vancouver Lake, Klineline Pond and Battle Ground Lake – checking the waterbodies every two weeks for bacteria that could make swimmers sick.

Public Health will issue advisories if bacteria levels exceed state thresholds and may pose a risk to people swimming or wading in the water. Signs will be posted at swim beaches with advisories, and information about advisories will be posted on the… Read More

Vancouver, Wash. – With high temperatures in the forecast for the weekend, Clark County Public Health is reminding people to take caution in and around water – especially area lakes and rivers. In spring and early summer, lakes and rivers in Southwest Washington are still cold, and water may be moving quickly.

“Even as temperatures rise, lakes and rivers are still cold enough to shock and immobilize even the strongest swimmers,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director.

Public Health urges people of all ages to follow these tips for safe… Read More

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Public Health Advisory Council.

The open position is for a doctor of veterinary medicine practicing in Clark County. The selected applicant will complete an unexpired three-year term that ends Sept. 30, 2024.

The advisory council meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. One meeting per quarter is in person 6-8 pm at various locations across the county. The remaining meetings are 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom.

The Public Health… Read More

This Earth Day, Clark County Public Health is honoring environmental sustainability leaders in local K-12 schools with the 2023 Green Awards. The annual Green Awards highlight the accomplishments of individuals and organizations and celebrate their commitment to reducing harmful environmental impacts, educating others, and giving back to the community.

This year’s awards recognize a local educator and three student green teams for their commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable culture on school campuses. Winners will receive unique trophies crafted by students at Washougal… Read More

Clark County Public Health is warning the community about a recent increase in emergency department visits due to opioid overdoses. Preliminary evidence suggests most of the recent overdoses may be due to fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl may be added to illicit drugs during their production without the drug user’s knowledge.

“Anyone who uses powdered drugs or takes pills that were not given to them by a pharmacy should assume they contain fentanyl,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark… Read More

Clark County Public Health’s offices will be closed on Wednesday, April 12 for an all-day staff training event. Online services will continue to be available.

Public Health’s online permitting portal enables people to submit new permit applications and renewals, upload required documents, review account activity, and make payments. Food worker testing continues to be available online. And people can place orders for birth and death certificates through the… Read More

Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is offering a series of free online workshops about composting and sustainable living strategies. The eight-part series will teach participants how to reduce their impact on the planet through composting, green cleaning, recycling, food waste prevention, and low waste living.

Here are the virtual workshops offered via Zoom this spring:

• Backyard Composting: 7-8 pm Wednesday, April 12. Learn how to construct a compost pile and heat it up.
• Red Worm Composting: 7-8 pm Wednesday, April… Read More

Clark County Green Neighbors is accepting applications for host gardens in the 2023 Natural Garden Tour. The annual tour features gardens across the county that are maintained using earth-friendly techniques.

Clark County residents with urban and rural gardens of all sizes can apply to have their property included in the tour, which offers self-guided tours to the community. Properties considered for the tour must be maintained without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Applications to be a host garden will be… Read More

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants for a youth volunteer to serve on the Public Health Advisory Council.

The open position is for a representative from the Clark County Youth Commission or Clark County Youth House, or a representative of local area high schools or colleges. The three-year term begins as soon as the position is filled.

The advisory council meets 5:30-7:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every even month via Zoom. When in-person meetings resume, they will be 6-8 pm in the main conference room on the second floor of the Center for Community… Read More

Clark County Public Health’s Vital Records and Environmental Public Health offices will be closed to in-person services on Friday, Feb. 24 due to inclement weather. Online services will continue to be available.

Public Health’s online permitting portal enables people to submit new permit applications and renewals, upload required documents, review account activity, and make payments. Food worker testing continues to be available online. And people can place orders for birth and… Read More