The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on May 27th regarding proposed changes to the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan and the Tumwater/Thurston County Joint Plan.

May 27
5:30 pm
Thurston County Courthouse Complex, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502 in Room 152

The proposed amendments will affect the transportation element of the plan, as well as the land use and zoning of property in the southern unincorporated portion of the City of Tumwater’s Urban Growth Area.

The southwest portion of the City of Tumwater Urban Growth Area has a number of unique environmental challenges that have been identified and studied. These include high groundwater flooding episodes in the Salmon Creek Basin, area wetlands and the presence of sensitive species. Potential amendments to Zoning and the Urban Growth Area boundary are being considered. Properties removed from the Urban Growth Area would be redesignated to a rural zoning designation. More information on the Tumwater Southwest UGA Resizing and Land Use Analysis project is available in the Permit Assistance Center located at the address below, or online at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/tumwater-uga-analysis/index.htm.

The City of Tumwater adopted the Tumwater 2025 Transportation Plan in 2007. The City of Tumwater and Thurston County are seeking to include the plan as part of the Tumwater/Thurston County Joint Plan for the unincorporated portion of the City of Tumwater Urban Growth Area. More information is available online at www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/jointplanamendment/

Also under consideration is a site specific amendment to change the land use and zoning for property located at 3040 93rd Avenue SW from Single Family Low Density Residential to Light Industrial.

The public hearing will begin at 5:30 pm May 27th at the Thurston County Courthouse Complex, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98502 in Room 152. Written comments may be submitted in lieu of testimony. Please submit written testimony to Thurston County Planning, Attention: Jeremy Davis, until 4:00 P.M. on the 27th. More information is available in hard copy in the Thurston County Permit Assistance Center or online at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/planning/comp_plan/comp_plan_hearings.html

Contact: Jeremy Davis, Associate Planner, 360-754-3355 x 7010 or davisj@co.thurston.wa.us

Avoid mosquito bites and get rid of mosquito habitat near your home

OLYMPIA — Spring is here and many Washingtonians are gardening, hiking, and heading outdoors for fun. It’s also time to start thinking about West Nile virus prevention. The easiest and best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Last year was Washington’s most active year for West Nile virus – 38 human illness cases were identified in the 2009 season, with exposures in either eastern Washington or out of state. The first death in Washington from the virus was also reported in a Yakima County resident.

“The warm, wet spring season in our state marks the start of mosquito-breeding season, so it’s vital to get rid of the habitat mosquitoes favor around your home,” said Gregg Grunenfelder, assistant secretary for the Department of Health. “A good early season strategy is to reduce mosquito breeding habitat before the bugs get started.”

You can avoid mosquito bites in two primary ways – habitat reduction and personal prevention. Keep mosquito populations lower by getting rid of water that collects around the yard in old flower pots, waste tires, or cans, and keep water fresh in bird baths, pet dishes, and stock troughs. Simple personal protection steps will make it harder for mosquitoes to bite you. Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, and hats in mosquito-infested areas; use an effective repellent on exposed skin when mosquitoes are most active. Make sure screens fit tight; fix or replace broken screens.

West Nile virus was detected in 72 horses, 22 dead birds, one dog, and 346 mosquito samples in the state in 2009. Half of all the horses infected died or were euthanized. There is a vaccine for horses; contact a veterinarian for more details (http://agr.wa.gov/News/2010/10-07.aspx).

The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito won’t have any symptoms. Some may develop mild symptoms, such as fever or headache that go away without treatment. The virus is most dangerous for people with weak immune systems and those over 50. In some cases, people may develop meningitis or encephalitis; some neurological effects can be permanent.

Monitoring for the virus – including dead bird and mosquito testing – resumes this spring. The information helps state and local health agencies identify unusual increases or clusters of bird deaths. People can report dead birds (www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/reportdeadbird.html) using the agency’s dead bird reporting system, or by contacting their local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm).

More information about West Nile virus is available by calling the agency’s West Nile virus information line, 1-866-78-VIRUS (1-866-788-4787). Updates are also posted on Twitter (http://twitter.com/WA_DeptofHealth).

Washington State Department of Health
Contact:  Allison Cook, Communications Office 360-236-4022
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072
 
The conversation about West Nile Virus is already continuing on the GriffinNeighbors online discussion group. Are you a member? If you live in the Griffin School District, email our webmaster and request an invitation to subscribe to the GriffinNeighbors online discussion group. It’s free.