Cowlitz County standing up for Safety and Security

Board of Commissioners
County Administration Building
207 Fourth Avenue North
Kelso, WA 98626
TEL (360) 577-3020
FAX (360) 423-9987
www.co.cowlitz.wa.us

March 25, 2008

Dear Mr. Coppedge:

The Board of County Commissioners has reviewed the Cowlitz County Environmental Criteria Evaluation prepared by URS dated October 2007 to assist the County in connection with SEPA/NEPA review related to the proposed Bradwood Landing Pipeline. The Board notes in particular the footnote on page 1 of that document indicating that NorthernStar does not plan to submit applications for necessary permits under Cowlitz County land use regulations. This is to advise you that such a plan is simply unacceptable to the County.

Cowlitz County hereby informs you that Bradwood Landing LLC will be expected to comply with all applicable County land use regulations implicated by the proposed pipeline in Cowlitz County. The proposed 36-inch gas pipeline would cut across Cowlitz County, impacting roads, forestland, farms and streams, while potentially involving the acquisition of private lands by eminent domain. The County must ensure that the safety of its citizens, as well as its economy and natural resources are protected, all of which are of course the reason for the adoption of the local land use regulations. In addition, the County and its municipalities will be responsible for police and fire protection related to pipeline construction and operation, imposing burdens on those services. Pipeline construction and maintenance will further create infrastructure costs to the County, including disturbance of existing roads, new roads, and additional traffic. In order to protect the citizens of Cowlitz County and its financial resources, the County expects the following of Bradwood Landing LLC:

• Bradwood Landing must comply with the County's adopted land use regulations in connection with the siting and development of the pipeline. County land use regulations ensure orderly and efficient development, protect the safety of citizens, and protect natural resources. Regulations include the comprehensive plan, critical areas ordinance, floodplain management ordinance, shorelines management master program, gas and oil pipeline permit ordinance, and forest conservation regulations. The County will assist Bradwood Landing in applying for necessary permits under these regulations.
• Bradwood Landing must fund 100% of the costs related to public safety response and infrastructure requirements incurred with respect to construction and operation of the pipeline. As noted above, the proposed pipeline will create additional burdens on the public safety response resources of the County and its municipalities. Those costs should be borne by the applicant, rather than the taxpayers. In addition, the applicant should fund any necessary capital improvements, infrastructure modifications, or required mitigation.

We have determined the foregoing requirements to be critical to the protection of the safety of County residents, and to the protection of its economy and natural resources. The County looks forward to working with Bradwood Landing during the permit application and review process. Please contact our Department of Building and Planning at 360-577-3052to facilitate timely processing of applicable permits.

Sincerely,