LNG Opponents challenge Clatsop County’s decision to allow LNG-related pipelines in protected area; decision overrules citizen referendum

Columbia Riverkeeper has challenged Clatsop County’s decision to allow LNG-related pipelines through an area near Westport Slough where pipelines are prohibited.  Columbia Riverkeeper filed its Notice of Intent to Appeal to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) on October 14, 2009. 

“Once again, the Commissioners are promoting the agenda of the LNG companies, not the citizens,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper.  “Last year, 67% of the voters passed a referendum prohibiting pipelines from this very land.  Now, the Commissioners are overruling 67% of the people they are sworn to represent.” 

Bradwood Landing LNG seeks to place its 36-inch gas pipeline across the land currently zoned Open Space, Parks, and Recreation (OPR) immediately east of Westport Slough.  However, the pipeline is prohibited because the OPR zone does not allow pipelines.  In 2008, the Commissioners tried to change the text of the zoning code to allow pipelines on this land, but the voters rejected this change in a September 16, 2008 referendum.  Allowing LNG pipelines in the OPR zone is expressly contrary to that referendum. 

The land at issue is owned by Sam Karamonos, who stated that he wants the zone change to restore wetlands on his land. 

Astoria resident Cheryl Johnson stated: “Do they think we are dumb?  Four Commissioners said this change is needed to allow wetland restoration, but that’s already allowed.  The elephant in the room is the LNG pipeline, which the Commissioners refused to even mention.  We’re tired of the games and backroom deals.  This County is starving for honest discourse.”    Marilyn Putnam, a River Ranch resident near the rezone, asked whether she could create wetlands on OPR property.  The County Planning Department answered, “yes.”  During testimony at the public hearing, the Commission itself expressly asked whether the restoration proposed by landowner would be allowed in the OPR zone.  The County Planning Department acknowledged that wetland restoration is allowed in the OPR zone.  Cheryl Johnson asked, “If there is no legitimate reason for the zone change, then why do it?