The Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC) has a distinguished history of fighting for progressive land use and environmental values in the Methow Valley since 1976. During its first 20 years, MVCC played a major role in averting the development of a large downhill ski area in Mazama. A series of legal challenges by MVCC and others, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, raised key environmental issues and delayed the project, paving the way for ultimate victory.
During this long process, MVCC members worked proactively at the county level to establish special land use protections for the Methow Valley, now codified as the Methow Review District. Among other things, this special zoning sets 5-acre minimum lot sizes on the valley floor and 20 acres in the uplands, from Early Winters to Gold Creek.
MVCC’s early work on land use planning set the stage for the Methow Valley’s healthy rural character enjoyed by residents and visitors today, with low-density development, considerable open space, clean air, and clear, cold rivers.
Today, MVCC engages our members, teams of volunteers and professionals, and the community at large in land use planning initiatives from Okanogan County’s regulatory framework to state and federal legislation affecting our public lands. MVCC also continues the tradition of watchdogging and influencing the outcome of individual development proposals that affect the Methow’s natural environment and rural character.
To learn more about our work and what you can do to help please browse through the following land-use issues that we work on: