11/5/2009
County to revamp environmental services with Kevin Gray in the lead
Vancouver, WA — Kevin Gray will become the first director of the county’s new Department of Environmental Services, starting Dec. 1, County Administrator Bill Barron announced today.
Gray has worked for Clark County Public Works since 1998 and has served as deputy director since 2007. He is a professional civil engineer licensed in Washington and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Recently he was instrumental in updating the county’s stormwater ordinances to arrive at an equitable means of protecting water resources while providing for economic development and supporting other public policies, such as salmon recovery and growth management.
Environmental Services will combine programs and employees involved in managing natural resources and protecting the environment. These include county activities related to stormwater, solid waste, endangered species, vegetation management, conservation lands and environmental permitting of the county’s future capital improvements.
“Kevin has handled many challenges to deliver impressive results in improving our infrastructure, while also respecting the letter, spirit and intent of federal, state and local environmental requirements,” Barron said. “We have seen his vision and leadership in Public Works. Now, he will begin to shape this new department to realize important goals of the Board of County Commissioners”.
Commissioner Steve Stuart said Gray will be charged with improving environmental outcomes while deriving maximum benefits from the collective knowledge and dedication of a variety of technical experts employed by the county. “We will accomplish this with integration and coordination of policies, development regulations, capital improvements and an overall focus on environmental stewardship that supports a strong economy.”
Gray lives in Vancouver. He was employed by the city of Vancouver as an engineering services manager for five years before joining Clark County.
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