We cannot discuss our history without first acknowledging those who came before us:
The Board of Directors of the Methow Valley Citizens Council wishes to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Methow and Colville Confederated Tribes past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit.
Origins
In 1976 MVCC formed when residents organized to oppose a Whistler-sized ski resort proposed for Mazama . A dedicated group of volunteers recognized the irreversible impacts such a resort would have on the natural environment and community character of the Valley and took the case to court. Over 20 years, MVCC provided compelling arguments and timely delays in a case that was ultimately decided in their favor in the U.S. Supreme Court. The ski resort was never built. Neither was the sprawling Arrowleaf Resort that was proposed on the same property in the 1990s. Over the last 45 years, MVCC has been integral in shaping what our Valley looks like today by “watching like a hawk” for actions that degrade the natural environment and advocating for progressive planning. You won’t find any typical subdivisions in the Valley due to MVCC’s push to pass the Methow Review District zoning, which created 5-acre minimum valley lots and 20-acre minimum upland lots. There is no copper mine in the headwaters of the Methow River thanks to the successful community campaign we lead to protect it.