CAMAS MILL DISTRICT PLAN
Discussion Draft
January 6, 2026
guarantee the Department of Ecology, GP and the community have proactively partnered to position us well for the next chapter. This chapter is mixed-used of both commercial and residential where all community members can enjoy the property, not heavy industrial.” 22 This vision was further developed through the work of the Camas Mill Cleanup Community Advisory Group (CAG). After substantial public engagement through a Public Participation Grant from the Department of Ecology, the CAG’s adopted statement reads: The Greater Camas community seeks: • An unrestricted future for the Camas Mill property as currently subject to the Agreed Order. This supports needs and opportunities for future generations. • Early assessment, or Interim Action, to fully consider risks to public health and the environment. The cleanup should consider the needs of our natural systems, including groundwater resources, in agreement with the Yakama Nation’s, request to consider the restoration of the natural systems of Camas Slough and the Columbia River. Camas, beyond paper, is the “Home of Earth Day.” Denis Hayes took his childhood experiences growing up in a Camas Mill family. He is recognized as a foundational figure in Camas’ history, as he brought childhood pollution issues from paper to the world creating the original Earth Day. He has spoken of the future, and the recognition that Camas’ future is tied to a mill that has been properly remediated through the Model Toxics Control Act. Camas faces a challenge for observed non-compliance with state and federal drinking water standards for “forever chemicals” or PFAS. Recognizing GMA requirements for city planning to protect these critical areas, the Mill District Plan provides policy and support for ongoing required DOE studies. Based on these considerations, the Camas Mill District is created through a Camas Mill District Plan. The Mill District Plan is an overlay to Our Camas 2045. The Mill District Plan represents a citizen-led e ff ort to ensure the Mill District remediation creates and encourages a future of prosperity both financially and ecologically. It recognizes the needs of tribal nations and those of neighbors and visitors to Camas and its future. THE CAMAS MILL DISTRICT: CREATION AND PURPOSE The Mill District recognizes the Camas Mill’s central role in Camas’ founding and history. The Mill District represents the City of Camas’ desire that the mill property continues to be available for the city’s future and not be restricted to industrial use as https://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2021/apr/29/camas-residents-o ffi cials-weigh-in-on-paper-mill-cleanup- plan/ Page of 17 35
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