About the Community Council

The Trout Lake Community Council is an elected body through which citizens of the Trout Lake School District can have a voice in developing solutions to local concerns.

The Council supports the Trout Lake, Washington community in securing a sustainable future as envisioned in the Trout Lake Subarea Comprehensive Plan, available in the Document Library, and through its Program of Work. It plays an advisory role to government agencies including the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners as well as interest groups and individuals.

The Council holds regular meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. Meeting Announcements are listed below. Community members are encouraged to attend.

Program of Work

Following is a representative list of programs, projects and initiatives undertaken by the Community Council to further the goals and policies of the Trout Lake Subarea Comprehensive Plan. 

This ever changing list includes supporting resources, links to additional related information, and is reviewed regularly during Community Council meetings.

  • Program of Work Matrix - Updated September 5 2023

    This is the latest, detailed, Program of Work Matrix highlighting our goals, progress and challenges with the projects below and more.

  • Document Library

    The Document Library contains minutes from past Council meetings, correspondence, the Trout Lake Subarea Comprehensive Plan, and other resources supporting our Program of Work. Visit the Document Library...

  • Trout Lake Subarea Comprehensive Plan

    Ongoing work to revise and update the 2010 plan to comply with Klickitat County’s new planning process. The 2010 Subarea Comprehensive Plan is available in the Document Library...

  • Trout Lake Emergency Handbook

    The Trout Lake Emergency Handbook focuses on the basics of preparing for emergencies – those things every family should do to prepare for the most common emergencies – and goes into depth about situations most likely to occur in our community: wildfires, severe storms, power outages, floods and lahars. View the Emergency Handbook...

  • Broadband Action Team (BAT)

    Work with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Klickitat County and other area Community Councils to develop a broadband plan that includes information on broadband infrastructure access, utilization, and adoption. This is part of a larger statewide planning effort led by the Washington State Broadband Office and WSU Extension.

  • FEMA Floodplain

    Work with FEMA to update Floodplain maps resulting in lowering or eliminating insurance costs for Trout Lake residents. Read More...

  • Fire Adapted Community Trout Lake (FACT)

    Work with FACT to raise awareness and increase knowledge about wildfire risk and preparedness, and guide the community to become resilient to wildfire. FACT is a community group with representation from the Trout Lake Fire Department, Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS), Trout Lake Community Council, and other concerned citizens. FACT partners with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA Department of Natural Resources, and Underwood Conservation District. Visit the FACT website...

  • Guler Park

    Work with Klickitat County Department of Public Works and grant proposals to provide an extended season for restroom facilities, campsite upgrades, day use picnic area, playground, and parking improvements, expanded emergency exit and a walking path to Jennings Road.

  • Invasive Species

    Ongoing community education. Programs and additional information are available in the Document Library...

  • Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve (NAP)

    Work with Department of Natural Resources and Klickitat County to develop a plan for traffic control, parking and education kiosk consistent with the purpose of the NAP: scientific study and education.

  • USGS Volcano Monitoring

    The USGS Cascade Volcano Observatory is proposing five new monitoring stations for the White Salmon River drainage to detect large lahars (mudflows) within minutes. Station sites have been identified, permits have been submitted, and installation could begin by 2024. The Community Council is monitoring this project and will post updates as they become available. Read more...

  • Community Council Website

    CommunityCouncil.TroutLake.org was launched in 2021 and is update regularly.

Meetings & Events

If you would like to receive information about upcoming meetings, including location, times and Zoom access (when available), send an email to: TroutLakeCommunityCouncil@gmail.com.
Approved minutes from past Council Meetings are available in the Document Library.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Click on event title below for additional information.

  • Community Council Meeting

    April 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Trout Lake Grange #210

    Regular Monthly Meeting of the Trout Lake Community Council.

  • Community Council Meeting

    May 7 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Trout Lake Grange #210

    Regular Monthly Meeting of the Trout Lake Community Council.

  • Community Council Meeting

    June 4 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Trout Lake Grange #210

    Regular Monthly Meeting of the Trout Lake Community Council.

  • Community Council Meeting

    July 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Trout Lake Grange #210

    Regular Monthly Meeting of the Trout Lake Community Council.

  • Community Council Meeting

    August 6 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Trout Lake Grange #210

    Regular Monthly Meeting of the Trout Lake Community Council.

Do you have an agenda item for an upcoming Council meeting?

If you have an item you would like to propose for addition to an upcoming Council meeting agenda, you will need to download, complete and submit a Community Council Briefing Sheet (below).

The Community Council Briefing Sheet was developed to assist anyone (presenters, community members, and council members) in providing essential information to the Community Council on a proposed agenda topic. The final version of the Briefing Sheet needs to be submitted a minimum of one week before the scheduled Council Meeting. If the topic has not been approved to be scheduled yet, then the proponent needs to contact one of the Council Members for sponsorship of adding it to the upcoming meeting agenda.

Send Briefing Sheets to: TroutLakeCommunityCouncil@gmail.com

News & Notices

Introducing the Trout Lake Emergency Handbook

The Trout Lake Community Council is pleased to announce the release of a new edition of the Trout Lake Emergency Handbook (formerly the Family Handbook for Trout Lake Valley Emergencies).

This extensively updated resource guide focuses on the basics of preparing for emergencies – those things every family should do to prepare for the most common emergencies – and goes into depth about situations most likely to occur in our community: wildfires, severe storms, power outages, floods, and lahars.

The Trout Lake Emergency Handbook is available as a printable PDF Download and as an interactive online resource with additional information that does not fit in the limited space of the print edition. You are encouraged to print the PDF edition of the handbook to use at home in case of a power outage or loss of internet access.

The Trout Lake Emergency Handbook is project of the Trout Lake Community Council, produced and published by TroutLake.org. Check it out…

The Trout Lake Community Council is pleased to announce the release of a new edition of the Trout Lake Emergency Handbook (formerly the Family Handbook for Trout Lake Valley Emergencies).

This extensively updated resource guide focuses on the basics of preparing for emergencies – those things every family should do to prepare for the most common emergencies – and goes into depth about situations most likely to occur in our community: wildfires, severe storms, power outages, floods, and lahars.

The Trout Lake Emergency Handbook is available as a printable PDF Download and as an interactive online resource with additional information that does not fit in the limited space of the print edition. You are encouraged to print the PDF edition of the handbook to use at home in case of a power outage or loss of internet access.

The Trout Lake Emergency Handbook is project of the Trout Lake Community Council, produced and published by TroutLake.org. Check it out…

Contact Information

Trout Lake Community Council
PO Box 31
Trout Lake, WA 98650

Email: TroutLakeCommunityCouncil@gmail.com
Facebook: Follow Us to Receive Updates
Website: CommunityCouncil.TroutLake.org

Community Council Members

  • Pat Arnold (2024)
  • Daina Bambe, Chair (2025)
  • Tom Binder, Treasurer (2026)
  • Lucas King, Vice Chair (2026)
  • Jim Lambert (2025)
  • Beyyine Ozkan (2025)
  • Travis Pearson (2024)
  • Joanna Turner, Secretary (2024)
  • Dave Wampler (2026)

Dates indicate the year each position is open for election.

Elections & Candidates

Council Members serve a three-year term. Three positions are up for election every year (shown above). Elections are held the first Tuesday in November every year… in person… the good old-fashioned way… at the Trout Lake Grange Hall.

In order to be a member of the Trout Lake Community Council you have to have been a registered voter and resident in the Trout Lake School District for at least one year.

Interested in running for a position on the Community Council?

If you are interested in running for a position on the Community Council, you will need to download, complete and submit a Candidate Interest Statement (below).

Statements must be submitted by the end of the first week of October.

Email prepared statements to: TroutLakeCommunityCouncil@gmail.com

Vote IN PERSON at the Trout Lake Grange
Tuesday November 8, 2022 • 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
For Registered Voters in the Trout Lake School District

Candidate Interest Statements • 2023-2025 Term