Clatsop commissioners continuing LNG meeting

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has extended its public hearing on the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas ( LNG) project to November 19 to provide more opportunity for those who signed up to testify.

The hearing will resume at 9 a.m. in the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

On Oct. 22, the board listened to 10 hours of testimony after opening the hearing in the Liberty Theatre. A total of 108 speakers testified during the hearing Monday.

Individuals who had signed up October 22 but didn’t get a chance to testify may speak November 19, including those who were not present when their names were called.

Anyone can submit written testimony to the Clatsop commissioners before or at the November 19 meeting. Written comments can be turned in by e-mail to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us, by fax to (503) 338-3666 or by mail to Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, c/o Community Development Department, 800 Exchange St., Ste. 100, Astoria, OR 97103, or brought to the November 19 hearing.

Bradwood Landing LLC is seeking zone changes and other land-use permits to site a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River at Bradwood east of Astoria. The county commissioners will need to determine whether Bradwood Landing meets the applicable criteria for each of its 27 applications.

Bradwood Landing has the burden of proof to provide substantial evidence that each application meets the criteria. The board has a broad range of options, including approving or denying the applications or remanding the hearing back to the Planning Commission or continuing the hearing.

Much of the proposed site is planned and zoned for marine industrial uses. Bradwood Landing is seeking several amendments to the county’s comprehensive land use plan to enlarge the area zoned for marine industrial uses and to dredge areas of the river so large LNG carriers can dock and unload at the proposed storage and distribution facility. A proposed pipe from Bradwood would carry natural gas to the Williams Northwest interstate pipeline in Washington for distribution to users in the Pacific Northwest.

The county’s review is specific to the site of the proposed LNG marine terminal, pipeline and related facilities and compliance with the county’s land-use plan and zoning regulations. The county’s review does not address issues such as LNG carrier traffic on the river that state and federal agencies will handle.