Letter to the Gov.

Turning over Oregon to NoStar and FERC

Dear Governor Kulongoski,

There were many disturbing aspects of the Clatsop County
Commissioners' approval of the NorthernStar application for its
proposed LNG terminal and pipeline at Bradwood.  The overall effect
was of watching the commissioners becoming the company's lap dogs,
eager to please regardless of what was asked.  Defying public
testimony, science, common sense, and public opinion, they essentially
gave away the county to NorthernStar.

So it's up to you, sir, to hang on to Oregon.  Both NorthernStar and
Leucadia-Oregon LNG would love nothing better than to have free rein
with our state.  I'm surprised they haven't flat out asked for a
wholesale revision of the state's land use guidelines and laws just to
simplify things.  They would if they could.  Think how easy it would
be.  We could privatize the entire state and simply rezone all land as
Marine/Commercial/Industrial.  No more hearings.  No need for eminent
domain or easements or even negotiating a fair price.  Public
officials wouldn't have to weigh in with empty pronouncements about
FERC and its biased, predetermined process and sort through endless
correspondence from angry citizens.  We NO LNGers around the state
could resume our personal lives, nurture our families, and take care
of business.  So what if we kill salmon, Oregon's economy, property
values, and any remaining faith in any level of government?

That it's up to ordinary citizens to convince you to prevent
NorthernStar from taking 15 billion gallons of Columbia River water
for corporate profits is appalling.  Why is this even an issue for
discussion?  I'm no scientist, but I know that 15 billion gallons of
Columbia River water will have disturbing consequences, many as yet
unknown, on salmonids and other fish, water temperature and flow , and
on the precious habitat of flora and fauna.  I can't begin to imagine
the consequences to those who depend on the river as it is for their
livelihoods.

Please use your authority to stop the looting of Oregon to benefit
NorthernStar and the other LNG investors.  Tell the Water Resources
Board to say NO to NorthernStar.  Please stop this farcical LNG
situation now and say NO to LNG in Oregon.

Laurie Caplan