noLNG

Beware Texans bearing gifts

Today's Daily Astorian has an editorial worth a read. Titled Beware Texans Bearing Gifts with a subhead of "LNG developers are here to make a pile, not to make our region more livable," the piece makes some nice points about the long-term impact of allowing this sort of heavy industry on our river.

A few quotes:

     At the heart of the LNG discussion is this simple truth: An LNG terminal at Bradwood will dramatically alter the culture of the Lower Columbia River, and in a way that many of us will not like 20 years from now.    

...NorthernStar and the others are here to make the kind of killing that big developers dream of. They are not here to be our longstanding friends or to make this a more livable place.    

Developments like this are for all practical purposes irreversible in a meaningful human time frame. Particularly at a time when this region is being considered for designation as the West Coast's first National Heritage Area, we should approach all major decisions with seriousness and profound awareness of our obligations to future generations.

Read Beware Texans Bearing Gifts.

Remember the Planning Commission meets in Astoria this Wednesday to make a preliminary recommendation. The meeting starts at 10 a.m., in the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St. in downtown Astoria

Latest county staff report reaffirms opposition to LNG plant

Great news out of Clatsop County this evening. The Planning Commission staff report has reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed county-wide zoning changes that Northern Star was requesting in order to build at Bradwood.

It remains important that as many as possible attend the hearing on Wednesday, August 29th, 10:00 am, to let the Planning Commission know that they should follow the recommendation of their staff and the wishes of the majority of their community.

Is your sign in your yard?
Is your decal on your car?
Is your button on your chest?

County says Bradwood Landing executives failed to meet criteria for land-use approval

An updated report from county planners continues to advise the Clatsop County Planning Commission to deny Bradwood Landing LLC's application for zone changes and other land-use permits for an LNG terminal on the Columbia River east of Astoria.

Bradwood Landing made several advances in addressing deficiencies raised in an earlier staff report to the Planning Commissioner. However, after analyzing all the evidence presented during the commission's public hearing process, Bradwood Landing ultimately did not adequately address all of the deficiencies and ultimately does not satisfy the criteria to grant a zone change to build a liquefied natural gas marine terminal and related facilities at the former mill site, leading staff to reiterate its recommendation for denial.

full article  Latest county staff report reaffirms opposition to LNG plant

Supplemental Staff Report to Clatsop County Planning Commission, Aug. 23, 2007 (pdf)

Clatsop County Planning Commission: Bradwood Landing information 

As an added bonus to our day, the photo at the top of this post is KMUN Coast Radio's photo of the day tomorrow. You can show your appreciation for their helping save our river by dripping them a note. Or seeing as how it's pledge week, you can always give them your quarters, and if you do, make sure you mention you saw our "save our river' banner on their site so they know we know we are out here.

Photos from our very own "Bradwood Landing"

Even very small people know that we need to protect the river!

This little one is just one of the largest crowd of folks I've seen come out  locally against LNG. Last Monday, the NO LNG Armada of about 75 people left Puget Island, braved the mighty and landed at Bradwood. Friends of the River members ferried dozens of WFoR members, along with many of our new friends from the convergence and the press over to the Oregon side of the river where they were joined by kayakers and a dozen folks who came over in an Inuit fishing boat. A similar number stayed onshore on the Washington side and cheered them on.

The weather was glorious and according to Kristin and Mike, who took us around the river so we could take pictures, even the water in the river was 70 degrees. (See, there is an upside to global warming!) Frans and Mika Eykel were generous enough to open their lovely home to the invading hordes for the event which was, as someone said in email, joyous. Seriously, there were smiling faces everywhere. If you want to see them, click here.

Additional pictures from the climate convergence can be found here: West Coast Convergence for Climate Action and here.

If you have photos of the convergence you would like to post but you do not have a flickr account, one has been created for this purpose. Drop me a note if you would like the account logon information.

Natural Gas Plan Has Neighbors Nervous!

A well balanced article in Clark County's "The Columbian" by Katie Durbin.

Natural gas plan has neighbors nervous

Friday, August 10, 2007
BY KATHIE DURBIN, Columbian staff writer

CATHLAMET - Franz and Mieke Eykel are expecting a lot of guests Monday at their house on the west side of Puget Island.

The Eykels live a half-mile from the site of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal directly across the Columbia River. If the $600 million terminal is built, they will have a close-up view from their backyard beach of 900-foot-long tanker ships 15 stories high unloading their cargo of super-cooled natural gas.

The Eykels are not happy about that, and neither are their neighbors, as evidenced by the "No LNG" signs planted along the beach and in the nearby town of Cathlamet.

Opponents of the LNG facility are getting some help making their case from participants in a weeklong Convergence for Climate Action, a combination camp-out, seminar and celebration of alternative energy that began Wednesday at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa, a few miles downstream.

More;

http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/08102007news181224.cfm

Climate Convergence in Skamokawa

Greetings Wahkiakum Friends of the River,

As you probably know by now, the Climate Convergence is taking place this coming week and weekend, ending with a demonstration of our feelings about Northern Star on Monday, August 13th.  If you haven't checked out the schedule of workshops and events, go to www.climateconvergence/west and follow the links for activities and events. A welcome tent outside the Skamokawa Grange will also have schedules, etc.

WE NEED TO PULL TOGETHER for several important jobs:

1. There will be a booth at the event for our Coalition of noLNG organizations. Carol Carver is pulling together and needs volunteers to sit at the booth, especially during lunch and dinner times, except Thursday dinner. If you can help out please email Carol and let her know when you can be available:  carolc@wwestsky.net

2. On Thursday evening there will be a potluck dinner that will be a mixer between those of us who have been opposed to LNG on the Columbia and in Coos Bay, and those attending the Convergence who may be new to this issue.  The meal is going to happen at the Fairgrounds and the Convergence planners expect about 100. Let's welcome them to our area with a great unorganized potluck. PLEASE BRING YOUR FAVORITE POTLUCK DISH TO SHARE, AND plates and table settings.  They are trying hard NOT to use paper products. The meal is planned for 6 pm.

3. Demonstrate against Northern Star on Monday by lining the beach at the end of Puget Island with people holding signs. There will be extra signs available. Please be at Eykel's house on the beach, 199 Ostervold Rd, by 11:30 am on Monday, August 13th. Bring everyone you can think of! Eykel's will have tables out, and are planning a potluck lunch, so again, bring your favorite picnic dish and table settings.

People with boats who want to be involved in a noLNG armada, please call Dan Serres at 503-890-2441 for more information.