Land use board rejects LNG plan

The past two weeks have been a step forward, and a step backward for NorthernStar's proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas plant permitting process.

On April 12, for the second time, the Oregon Land Use Appeals (LUBA) board rejected Clatsop County's approval of the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal across the Columbia River from Cathlamet and Puget Island.

The Associated Press reported that the state board of appeals sent the case back to Clatsop County to resolve questions over whether the project is too big for the site, and whether enough is being done to protect salmon habitat and traditional fishing areas.

Columbia Riverkeeper's Brent VanderHeuven says the latest ruling is a "crushing blow" to Northern Star Natural Gas of Houston, because the county has had two chances to resolve these issues and could not do it.

Northern Star spokesman Joe Desmond said his company remains confident the project will go forward.

In its opinion, LUBA said the county must ensure that any damage to salmon habitat and related resources will be no more than de minimis, or trivial.

LUBA also rejected Clatsop County’s decision that the LNG terminal was “small to moderate” in scale, as required by county law to protect the Bradwood area of the estuary.

LUBA found that the county erred by failing to consider the dredging area and construction areas. The county lost on this same issue before LUBA in 2008.

Meanwhile, Clatsop County has been holding hearings on eight supplemental permit applications as required by the county's March, 2008, conditional approval of the company's proposed terminal.

As of last week, the county had approved five of the eight applications; hearings were scheduled to conclude this week.

County staff had recommended denial of three applications--the mitigation plan, because Bradwood Landing doesn't have state and federal permits; the Shoreline Management Plan, because it was vague on impacts of dredging and water movement, and the park and ride site plan, which hadn't met all county conditions.

Staff recommend approval of the erosion control and sediment plan, a conditional use permit for Clifton and Bradwood roads; dredged material disposal plan, riparian vegetation restoration plan, and a decommissioning plan in case the plant shuts down.

"In most cases, the revisions that staff is suggesting are easy to address, such as ensuring the park and ride lot can accommodate bicycles and ensuring appropriate signage for road safety," said NorthernStar Natural Gas President Paul Soanes. "Overall, we're pleased with the staff's work and appreciate their constructive review and suggestions so that we can comply with the County's conditions of our land use approval."

--Material from Associated Press and news releases provided information for this article.