Even small elections can matter in a big way

​By Tina Tyler

With myriad news stories raining down on us every day, both nationally and locally, it would be easy to miss the Clallam Conservation District’s (CCD) election for a Board Supervisor. After all, you have to request a ballot, there is no voters’ pamphlet, and, like so many little boards, organizations, and entities, why should we care? One reason: even the smallest local election matters.

Wendy Rae Johnson

​I sat down with Wendy Rae Johnson, who is running for a second term as a Clallam Conservation District board supervisor, a post she has held since Spring 2023, to ask her why this small local election is so important to people living in Clallam County who appreciate and love our natural resources. 

The CCD is a non-regulatory agency and the positions are non-partisan. When I asked Wendy Rae why she approached the Clallam County Democrats for an endorsement (which they provided, unanimously), she said, ‘because Democrats believe in climate change and science.’ 

Johnson explained that the Conservation District works hard to bring millions of dollars from state and federal grant programs into the county. The grants provide funding to pay for jobs: riparian planting crews, fish enhancement crews, engineers, cultural resource surveyors, and other vital work that the district staff covers.

---

What the grant monies don’t cover is general operations, and the District simply cannot afford the cost of sending out 62,000+ paper ballots for the March 17 Conservation District election. To vote in this year’s election, you would have had to request a ballot by Feb. 18. You have until March 17, 2026, to return your ballot.

Wendy Rae is clearly passionate about her work and educating people on the value the Conservation District provides Clallam County. She attended the Soil Academy (at her own expense) and has volunteered on local farms.

She works collaboratively with the district’s fellow board members, staff, and community partners to promote sustainable management of our county’s natural resources, which we know have a domino effect on soil, water, and wildlife. Streams without shade and water quality affect the wildlife and fish habitat. Lack of fish habitat means lack of food for wildlife and people. Poor soil quality affects plant growth and water quality. 
 

She shared some examples of the CCD’s accomplishments:

• Improvements in water quality by helping to repair septic system failures that are directly polluting our rivers: many rural landowners have their own septic systems and when these fail, it can be extremely expensive ($50,000 average cost). CCD can work with landowners to see if they qualify for financial assistance. Some situations may qualify for covering up to 75% of the cost, with additional grants to help with the remaining costs.
  
• Improving streamside habitat and creeks to facilitate or restore fish habitat. The district’s riparian restoration work has doubled since last year.
  
• Partnerships with tribes to plant trees, provide engineering assistance, and replace culverts to improve fish passage.
  
• Providing cover crop seed for our local farmers to improve soil health and protect our locally grown food source.
  
• ​Water Conservation assistance such as well metering to collect data that will help manage water usage and avoid issues that have occurred in California.
  

The district has worked hard to bring those millions of dollars from state and federal grant programs into the county. The district’s rates and charges not only have to cover all the operational costs (office, utilities, etc.), but also fund the people who write those grants. 
​
For more on the services and benefits the Clallam Conservation District provides, go to their website, https://www.clallamcd.org, and find out about their work. If you requested a ballot, don’t forget to vote by March 17!