1. 11-Year-Old Tacoma Boy Drowns in Cowlitz River, Randle

    On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at approximately 10:58 a.m., Lewis County deputies and members of the Swift Water Rescue Team responded to the 200 block of Burton Creek Road in Randle, Washington, in reference to a reported drowning. Deputies learned that an 11-year-old boy, who was wearing his life jacket, had been paddleboarding with his father in the Cowlitz River near Carr Road when he struck a logjam and fell off the paddleboard. Rescue attempts were made by the boy’s father, but the victim was quickly swept under a second logjam and became submerged underwater. Members of the Swift Water …


    Sheriff - July 8, 2024, 4:43 p.m.

  2. Oxeye Daisy

    Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy - A perennial, herbaceous plant growing 1-3 feet tall.Leaves: Leaves are alternate and lance-shaped, with toothed or lobed edges.Flowers: Flowers bloom from May-October. Single flowerhead at the end of the stem. It has many white ray-flowers, creating the "petals," and yellow disc-flowers in the middle.Habitat: Found in grasslands, overgrazed pastures, waste areas, meadows, roadsides, railroad ROWs, yards, and fields.Weed Classification: CWhy is it a Noxious Weed?It can aggressively invade fields and decrease plant diversity. It decreases crop yield and has rhizomes with adventitious roots.Oxeye Daisy is very common in Lewis County. It can be hard to …


    Weed Control - Oct. 6, 2022, 9:32 a.m.

  3. Himalayan Knotweed

    Persicaria wallichii Himalayan Knotweed - A clumping perennial with hollow stems and creeping rhizomes. It grows about 6 feet in height.Leaves: Leaf shape is elongated compared to other knotweeds and are around 5-12 inches in length. They are leathery and alternate along the stem.Flowers: Flowers bloom from July-October. Whiteish pink flowers that are fragrant grow at the tips of branches.Habitat: Grows in disturbed, moist sites like roadsides, riparian, and wetland areas.Weed Classification: B DesignateWhy is it a Noxious Weed?This plant vigorously grows into dense stands that overtake native vegetation and alter ecosystems. It can survive severe floods and spread plant …


    Weed Control - Oct. 5, 2022, 4:16 p.m.

  4. PNW Invasive Training

    2019 CITIZEN SCIENCE EARLY DETECTION RAPID RESPONSE REPORTING AND IDENTIFICATION OF INVASIVE PLANTS WORKSHOPS If you are recreating and/or working on public lands and are interested in participating in our program (Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council) and/or would like to learn more about invasive plants, you are invited to attend one of our FREE upcoming trainings.Participants learn plant identification through a PowerPoint presentation and live material. Participants also learn methods of manual removal and which species you should not attempt to remove. Trainings will equip volunteers with the knowledge necessary to conduct invasive plant surveys in order to support local …


    Weed Control - May 29, 2019, 10:29 a.m.

  5. Kudzu

    Pueraria montana var. lobata Kudzu - A perennial trailing or climbing vine. It grows at a very fast rate and can easily take over an area if left unchecked.Leaves: Alternate and compound leaves with three oval shaped leaf sections.Flowers: Flowers bloom from May-June. Purple to reddish purple flowers clustered along a center stem that grows about a foot long. The flowers are similar to pea flowers and are fragrant.Habitat: Well drained eroded or degraded land or sandy loam soils in full sun.Weed Classification: AWhy is it a Noxious Weed?A highly aggressive plant that smothers anything in its path. It can …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 10:57 a.m.

  6. Milk Thistle

    Silybum marianum Milk Thistle - A large, sparsely branched thistle growing up to 6 feet tall. Easy to identify, due to the leaf patterning.Leaves: Alternate, deeply lobed, and pointed leaves. Leaves have a very noticeable white and dark green marbling. The basal leaves can get up to 20 inches long and 10 inches wide.Flowers: Flowers bloom from May-August. Rounded cluster of tubular flowers that have spine-tipped bracts (scales) around it.Habitat: Occurs in many places such as: overgrazed pastures, roadsides, waste areas, ditches, and disturbed areas.Weed Classification: AWhy is it a Noxious Weed?It is an aggressive invader that can grow into …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 10:57 a.m.

  7. Be Weed Aware: Poison hemlock, Poisonous to Humans, Livestock and Wildlife

    Poison hemlock contains toxic compounds that make the entire plant poisonous to humans and livestock.  Leaves, stems, seeds and roots all contain the toxic alkaloids making them poisonous.  Toxic levels increase with plant maturity.   Poisonings most commonly impact cattle, goats and horses.  Nervousness, trembling and excessive salivation are noticeable symptoms exhibited by livestock that have recently eaten poison hemlock.  Forage prepared as haylage or hay and containing Poison hemlock does little to reduce the plants toxicity.  Poison hemlock grows 3-8 feet tall and may be found along field edges, urban alleys and areas where construction material has been disposed.  The …


    Weed Control - April 3, 2017, 10:33 a.m.

  8. Field Bindweed

    Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed - An herbaceous perennial with extensive rhizomes that help it creep through fields and over plants.Leaves: Arrowhead-shaped leaves that alternate along the stem. Leaves have two lobes at the base.Flowers: Flowers bloom from April-October. Flowers are bell or funnel-shaped and are about 1 inch across. They range from white-pink and have bracts (scales) where the flower stem meets the plant stem.Habitat: It grows anywhere from full sun to full shade and is drought tolerant. Found in ravines, greenbelts, forested parks, farmlands, driveways, flower gardens, and ornamental bordersWeed Classification: CWhy is it a Noxious Weed?Once established it …


    Weed Control - Oct. 6, 2022, 9:33 a.m.

  9. Community Development Staff Directory

    If you are unsure who you need to contact, please use the "Contact Us" button on the left side of the page. This will allow us to forward your inquiry to the correct personnel. Permit CenterBrad ClarkPermit Technician Leadbradley.clark@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2611Mollie HurtPermit Technicianmollie.hurt@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1411Jennifer CervantesPermit Technicianjennifer.cervantes@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2615Katie JohnsonPermit Techniciankatie.johnson@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2782Planning DepartmentKaren WitherspoonSenior Project Plannerkaren.witherspoon@lewiscountywa.govNatalie KamienieckiSenior Long Range Plannernatalie.kamieniecki@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2606Preston PinkstonPlanner IIpreston.pinkston@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1389Tara SnelsonAssistant Plannertara.snelson@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2602Weston Floro-HagemanAssistant Plannerweston.floro-hageman@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-3379 Building & Fire SafetyDoyle SanfordBuilding Official / Fire Marshal / Floodplain Managerdoyle.sanford@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2696Mike JohnstonPlans Examinermichael.johnston@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2773Jordan PanteleeffBuilding Inspectorjordan.panteleeff@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1285Neal BahrtBuilding Inspectorneal.bahrt@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1184Chris CollinsBuilding Inspectorchris.collins@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1474Smokey PadgettCode Compliance Officersmokey.padgett@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-3372AdministrationMindy BrooksCommunity Development Directormindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.govSarah Hensley Office Managersarah.hensley@lewiscountywa.govMegan SathreAdministrative AssistantKylie PeckhamOffice Assistant Senior


    Community Development - Sept. 29, 2021, 12:04 p.m.

  10. Planning Commission Materials

    Hearing 32025-11-10 Staff Presentation Critical Areas Ordinance2025-11-03 Staff Report Critical Areas Ordinance2025-10-28 Meeting Notes2025-10-28 Staff Presentation Critical Areas Ordinance2025-10-28 Staff Report Critical Areas Ordinance2025-10-14 Meeting Notes2025-10-14 Staff Presentation Critical Areas Ordinance2025-10-08 Staff Report Critical Areas OrdinanceHearing 22025-08-12 Staff Presentation Continued Public Hearing2025-08-04 Staff Report Short Term Rentals2025-07-22 Staff Presentation Continued Public Hearing2025-07-22 All Written Testimony2025-07-22 Planning Commission Meeting Notes2025-07-17 Staff Report Short Term Rentals2025-07-17 Staff Report Other Development Regulations2025-07-17 Memo to File - Futurewise2025-07-08 Staff Presentation Public Hearing2025-06-30 Staff Memo Short Term Rentals2025-06-24 Staff Presentation All Other Development Regulations2025-06-13 Staff Report All Other Development Regulations2025-06-10 Planning Commission Meeting Notes2025-06-10 Staff …


    Community Development - May 9, 2025, 12:12 p.m.