Vacancy roundup: Veterans board, Solid Waste, ELCPDA, PacMtn, Historical Museum, Water Conservancy Board, GR BH-ASO

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is looking for volunteers interested in filling vacancies on several of its boards and committees, including the following:

  • Veterans Advisory Board (VAB)
  • Solid Waste Advisory Board
  • East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA)
  • Pacific Mountain (PacMtn) Workforce Development Council
  • Lewis County Historical Museum Board of Directors

Individuals interested in any of these positions should submit an application and a letter of interest in one of the following three ways:

  • By mail at 351 N.W. North St., Chehalis, WA 98532.
  • Via email at committees@lewiscountywa.gov (include the committee name in the subject).
  • In person at the Commissioners’ Office in Room 210 of the Historic Courthouse at 351 N.W. North St. in Chehalis.

The BOCC also is seeking volunteers for two boards that will use a different application process:

  • Lewis County Water Conservancy Board
  • Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (GR BH-ASO)

Applications for all of the positions listed above are due by 3 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026. Application packets are available under the “BOCC News” tab at the bottom of the commissioners’ web page at https://lewiscountywa.gov/offices/commissioners/. Details about the boards and committees (including how to apply for GR BH-ASO and the Water Conservancy Board) follow:

>> Veterans Advisory Board (VAB)

The Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) helps determine how to best support local veterans. Members weigh in on how the county should allocate money from its Veterans’ Relief Fund, which helps indigent Lewis County veterans and their families with financial resources, shelter, food, utilities and transportation.

The group meets at 11 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month in the Lower Level BOCC Room of the Lewis County Historic Courthouse at 351 N.W. North Street in Chehalis. Honorably discharged veterans residing in Lewis County are eligible to serve. The board includes up to nine regular voting members and two non-voting alternates, all of whom serve two-year terms. The board currently has vacancies for the two alternate positions.

For questions about the VAB, contact Veterans Benefit Specialist George Dodd by phone at
360-740-1417 or via email at george.dodd@lewiscountywa.gov.

>> Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) helps develop programs and policies concerning solid waste handling and disposal.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee members weigh in on proposed rules, policies and ordinances, and they help Lewis County Solid Waste Utility staff develop a five-year “Solid Waste Management Plan” to guide how Lewis County manages garbage and recycling. The committee, which is mandated by state law under RCW 70A.205.110, is designed to represent multiple interests, including citizens, public interest groups, business, waste management and agriculture.

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of every other month in the new Lewis County Public Works Building at 57 W. Main St. in Chehalis. Meetings are open to the public and are offered online via Zoom.

For information about SWAC, visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/solid-waste/lewis-county-solid-waste-advisory-committee-swac/.

For questions about the committee, contact Solid Waste Services Manager Rocky Lyon by phone at 360-740-1403 or via email at rocky.lyon@lewiscountywa.gov.

>> East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA)

The BOCC created the East Lewis County Public Development Authority (ELCPDA) in May 1996 to promote small business and light industrial development in eastern Lewis County.

The ELCPDA is a five-member board that oversees and operates the Packwood Business Park, leasing its buildings there to various tenants. The ELCPDA handles the leases and the group’s finances. Members serve three-year terms.

>> Pacific Mountain (PacMtn) Workforce Development Council

The Pacific Mountain (PacMtn) Workforce Development Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to workforce development in Lewis, Mason, Thurston, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.

The group, which meets quarterly, brings together business, education, labor and community partners to create innovative solutions that connect job seekers with employment opportunities. PacMtn oversees the regional network of American Job Centers, called WorkSource, which is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington.

For information about PacMtn, visit the group’s website at https://pacmtn.org/.

>> Lewis County Historical Museum Board of Directors

The Lewis County Historical Museum Board of Directors serves as the steward of the area’s rich history, providing collections, exhibits, preservation endeavors, public programs and volunteer opportunities to nurture a broader appreciation for – and understanding of – Lewis County’s past. The Historical Museum Board helps guide the museum’s efforts, and the county’s representative is a voting member who also serves as a liaison regarding maintenance needs for the county-owned building.

The Historical Museum Board – which also includes representatives from the cities of Chehalis and Centralia among others – meets at 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month. The ideal candidate to represent Lewis County on the board will have an interest in local history and a penchant for volunteering. Some experience in building maintenance would be an appreciated bonus.

For information about the Lewis County Historical Museum, visit https://lewiscountymuseum.org/.

To apply for either of the next two committees, follow the steps outlined below:

>> Lewis County Water Conservancy Board

The Lewis County Water Conservancy Board is a governing board that processes water-rights applications at the local level.

The board, which was established by RCW 90.80, works closely with water-rights applicants and the Department of Ecology to make recommendations regarding applications for water-rights changes and transfers. Each new board member must attend Ecology’s four-day (32 hours) training event in the fall and then receive eight hours of continuing education annually to continue to meet state standards. All training is paid for by the Water Conservancy Board.

The Water Conservancy Board is made up of three regular members and two alternates. At least one of the regular positions must be filled by a water right holder who diverts or withdraws water for use within Lewis County. The current vacancy is for one of the alternate positions.

Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit an application, a letter of interest and a brief resume by mail to the following:

  • Lewis County Water Conservancy Board
  • Attn. New Board Member
  • P.O. Box 1345
  • Chehalis, WA 98532

For general information about the board, visit the Department of Ecology’s website at https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Water-supply/Water-rights/Water-conservancy-boards. For questions about the vacant position, contact Water Conservancy Board member David Hilligoss by phone at 360-880-7016.

>> Great Rivers Behavioral Health Admin. Services Org. (GR BH-ASO) advisory board

The Great Rivers Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (GR BH-ASO) advisory board, which includes representatives from Lewis, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties, is designed to help ensure that behavioral health providers promote the human dignity, health and independence of citizens living within its participating counties.

The advisory board meets virtually (via Zoom) at 2 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. Members review and provide to the Great Rivers Governing Board comments on plans, budgets and policies; help identify resources to serve people with unmet needs; and provide opportunities for those who use behavioral health services – and their families and other interested community members – to be heard. Individuals in recovery are especially encouraged to apply to share their input and perspective.

Advisory board members serve three-year terms. To apply for the GR BH-ASO advisory board, fill out the application (available here or by visiting the “BOCC News” section on the bottom right-hand side of the commissioners’ web page at https://lewiscountywa.gov/offices/commissioners/), and submit it to GR BH-ASO Administrative Assistant Ksea Cantonwine as follows:

  • Via email at kcantonwine@grbhaso.org
  • Or by mail at P.O. Box 210, Chehalis, WA 98532

For questions about the GR BH-ASO advisory board position, contact Ksea at 253-336-3176.

Posted: March 02, 2026