Saturday, April 30, 2011

LNG Trucks Through Communities; Who Pays For Accidents And Damages?

Forum Explores Who Pays In LNG Accident
Posted: April 29, 2011 - 11:13pm Updated: April 30, 2011 - 8:13am

By Mary Landers - SavannahNow.com
Savannahians, especially those along the DeRenne corridor, have been concerned for months about a proposal to transport up to 58 tanker truckloads a day of liquefied natural gas across that busy road.....Read Article

Friday, April 29, 2011

West Coast Short Sea Shipping Scuttled By Unions?



This article was published in the Winter 2010 issue of the Coast Longshore Division Newsletter.



GRP;Is this why our own Port of Astoria sandbagged on the potential of our own participation in this industry when it was available to us?

NON-UNION CARGO: Short sea shipping barges on the Duwamish River (shown here) and the Columbia transport cargo loaded by non-union dockworkers.
Most longshore workers, particularly those of us registered in small ports, have heard the rhetoric associated with short sea shipping (SSS), sometimes referred to as marine highways.
The United States government and many small public port authorities are championing the concept of SSS. Why?



The United States government wants to undermine our position in the cargo transportation industry.



Ports want a piece of the free money that the current administration is irresponsibly throwing around.



Wannabe freight moving entrepreneurs and underutilized ports are telling all of us up and down the West Coast that there are jobs in it for us and our communities......Read Full Article

Oregon LNG/Pipeline: Leucadia National Corporation's(OLNG's Money People) Annual Letter To Shareholders. This Is Their Statement On LNG



In January 2007, Leucadia acquired a leasehold interest and certain permits to construct and operate an onshore liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving terminal.


The site is located on the Skipanon Peninsula at the mouth of the Columbia River, in Warrenton, Oregon.


Since that time,we have been working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) to permit the site for an onshore LNG terminal. That process has been much slower, challenging and frustrating than we anticipated.

If we had known what we were getting into, we would not have done it! However, we are making progress.


In 2010, the Biological Assessment was issued by FERC,which indicated that the project does not have any significant impact on endangered species.


In 2011, we anticipate FERC will issue an Environmental Impact Statement, the last hurdle to clear before receiving final FERC approval. We are not naive – and now even less so – to the nature of development projects, and anticipate an ongoing stream of opposition and challenges in the future.


We are keenly interested in the global energy market. Like it or not, the world’s appetite for power and light shows no sign of slowing and no one is moving back to oxen or whale oil lanterns. It appears to us that the environmental and economic benefits of natural gas will make it a preferred worldwide energy source in the foreseeable future.


The import and export of LNG has a role to play within that market. With this theme in mind, we’ve opened our wallet to fund this venture for another year, within which time frame we hope to cross the finish line. Tune in next year.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Clatsop County Redistricting Committee; April 29, 2011 Agenda

Read Full Agenda

Columbia River Summer And Fall Fishing Seasons Announced




Columbia River Summer And Fall Fishing Seasons Announced

April 27, 2011

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Pacific Northwest fishery managers have announced summer and fall salmon fishing seasons on the Columbia River for 2011 following conclusion of the recent North of Falcon meeting process.
The North of Falcon process is a series of public meetings in which fishery managers from several jurisdictions, including Oregon, convene to review data and accept public testimony to plan recreationaand commercial salmon fisheries on the Columbia River and parts of the ocean off the Oregon and Washington coasts. The name refers to Cape Falcon on Oregon’s north coast, the southern end of the planning area........ Read Full Schedule

Clatsop County Board;April 27, 2011 Work Session And Regular Meeting Audio Transcript and Meeting Highlights!




Thursday, April 28, 2011

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 27, 2011 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Official minutes available once approved by the board

DARIGOLD CONTRACTS APPROVED
The board approved contracts for demolition of the Darigold Building and abatement of hazardous materials in the structure. The demolition contract will go to Groat Brothers for $57,300, and the abatement job to Lake Oswego Insulation for $68,100.
The abatement and demolition are required under provisions of the sale of the structure to Coastal Family Health Center, which was approved by the board in February.
The board also voted to declare stored items in the building as surplus in order to sell them and remove them from the site prior to the demolition
The board approved a budget adjustment within the Special Projects Fund to cover the cost of the project in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years.

FOREST PLAN LETTER TABLED
The board postponed action on a letter to State Forester Doug Decker supporting the proposed revised Implementation Plan for the Clatsop State Forest’s Astoria District. The plan implements the revised Forest Management Plan adopted in 2010, which reduces target levels for developing complex forest stands, increases harvest levels and changes habitat protection strategies.
Discussion of the letter followed a presentation from District Forester Tom Savage and Assistant District Forester Ron Zilli from the Clatsop State Forest-Astoria District.
Commissioner Peter Huhtala said he had some concerns with the draft letter. He said if the implementation plan does not rely on the best available science, including an independent report due to be presented to the Oregon Board of Forestry this week, then the Forest Management Plan could be vulnerable to legal challenge, which could result in federal interference in the state forests.
The board voted to discuss the letter at its May 11 meeting.

SUPERFUND EXTENSION SOUGHT
The board approved sending letters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Congressional delegation seeking a 120-day extension of the comment period for the EPA’s proposed listing of Astoria Marine Construction Co. under the National Priorities Superfund program. The delay, the letter states, would give the county more time to work with the state and EPA to ensure that any required clean-up of pollution at the Lewis and Clark River facility would not jeopardize the business.
The board postponed action on a second letter to Gov. John Kitzhaber pending discussions between the state and EPA regarding the potential direction and outcome if the property is identified as a Superfund site.

NON-PROFITS REPORT
The board heard reports from representatives of the five non-profit social service entities that receive dollars from the county – Women’s Resource Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Healing Circle, Clatsop Community Action and Lighthouse for Kids. The reports are required under the terms of the donations. Each of the organizations received $3,000 for the current fiscal year.

OTHER BUSINESS
In other business the board:
-appointed Ed Johnson and Tom Horning to the county Redistricting Board. The panel is charged with drawing new boundaries for the five commissioner districts based on population data from the 2010 federal census. The board’s first meeting is 4 p.m. Friday, April 29 at the Judge Guy Boyington Building.
-voted to dissolve four inactive water districts. The districts – Burnside, Fernhill, Fishhawk Lake and Olney-Walluski – were replaced by private, non-profit water associations in the 1950s and ’60s, but were never formally dissolved.
-decided to make no recommendation on an appointment to the Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
-approved a proclamation recognizing the Astoria Bicentennial.
April 27, 2011 CCBofC Work Session Audio Transcript
April 27, 2011 CCBofC Regular Session Audio Transcript

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Oregon Ocean Sport Salmon Fishing Season Set


Go To Schedule

Clatsop County Jury Convicts Kenneth Middleton, Killer Of Andrew Church To 13 Years In Prison

By Stuart Tomlinson, The Oregonian

Kenneth Middleton was behind the wheel of this pickup truck that crashed into a motorcyclist, 35-year-old Andrew Church of Rainier on Memorial Day weekend, 2010.A 45-year-old Southeast Portland man was found guilty of manslaughter, drunken driving and other charges by a Clatsop County jury Thursday for the May 2010 traffic death of a Rainier motorcyclist......Read Full Report

Two Bodies Found In Car At Seaside Boat Ramp!

By Justin Burton, KGW Staff
kgw.com
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 6:43 AM
Updated today at 7:58 AM

SEASIDE, Ore. -- Divers recovered the body of a man and a woman from the Necanicum River in downtown Seaside after reports that a car drove down a boat ramp and into the water.

View KGW Report

City Of Astoria, 17th Street Pier Replacement; Got Questions?




The 17th Street Dock adjacent to the Columbia River Maritime Museum is a
traditional wooden pier. The City acquired ownership in 1966. It was
expanded to the west in the early 1990s, and extended slightly eastward
approximately 10 years ago. Due to deterioration of the dock and the high
costs associated with maintaining a wooden dock in serviceable condition,
the City has secured funding to replace the dock with a concrete and steel
structure. Engineering and design work is now underway for a modern
dock that will be used to moor US Coast Guard cutters, the retired Lightship
Columbia, and the historic Columbia River Large Navigation Buoy. The
existing floating dock will be maintained within the new dock.


Astoria City Council Drafts Its Goals For 2011-2012



Astoria City Council Goals
Draft Goals Proposed for Fiscal Year 2011 – 2012
*
Support the City of Astoria Bicentennial Celebration;
*Complete the Garden of Surging Waves;
*Parks Increase awareness and opportunities to participate in both indoor and outdoor recreation; Complete an Inventory and Analysis of Park Sites and Facilities, noting opportunities for repair and improvements;
*Complete a Plan for Redevelopment of the Downtown Safeway/Legion Block with a goal of incorporating a portion of the block into a park/open space area, maintaining a portion for parking, and continuing to accommodate activities such as the Sunday Market;
*Evaluate opportunities for energy cost savings, with a particular focus on the Street Lighting System, and implement viable alternatives
*Initiate Planning for Renovation of the Library
*Implement Riverfront Vision Plan on a Zone by Zone basis
*Maintain advocacy activities for the Astoria Bypass and for Fisheries issues

Monday, April 25, 2011

Tomorrow! Tuesday! April 26! Voter Registration Deadline!!!



Want To Vote In The May 17, 2011 Special Elections?

April 25, 2011

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 IS VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

The Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Office reminds local residents that Tuesday, April 26 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 17 special district election.
Ballots for the election will be mailed out beginning Friday, April 29.
Tuesday, April 26 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to hand in or mail a registration form if you are registering to vote for the first time. To be eligible to vote, you must be an Oregon resident, a U.S. citizen, and be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
You Want To Vote In The May 17, 2011

You must update your registration if you move or change your mailing address, change your name, or wish to change your party affiliation. Those who are updating their registration have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to do so.
People can register online with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office at www.sos.state.or.us/elections. Voter registration forms can also be downloaded from the “Clerk/Elections” page at http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ or obtained at the Clerk’s office at 820 Exchange St., Astoria.
The May 17 election features contests for seats on the Port of Astoria, Clatsop Community College and Sunset Empire Transportation District, as well as school districts, fire districts and water and sewer service districts. The City of Seaside and Clatskanie School District also have local option tax measures on the ballot.
For more information go to the Clerk/Elections page on the Clatsop County website or call (503) 325-8511.
Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

UFO? No, Freight Hauler!!!!



Notional System Concept
MAS recognize that the world requires a revolutionary hybrid heavy lift Airship to fulfill 21st Century transformation mission requirements. These requirements result in the need for an air vehicle that can provide heavy lift global reach transport of varying weights, sizes and volume. MAS will start with a 50 ton lift vehicle and will base the production of larger air vehicles on future demands; however we have already been queried on a 500 ton lift vehicle. Once the 50 ton vehicle is designed and in initial testing a decision will be made on larger sizes.


The HHLAV 50 ton aircraft proposed operating perameters will be as follows:

 Cargo weight - 70 tons

 Cargo volume - 14 TEU's

 Maximum range - 2000 Nautical miles @ 50 ton payload

 Cruise speed - 80 kts

 Landing zone - 2000 ft diameter circle

 Fuel - Jet-A
Read Details

Trans Canada's Keystone Pipeline System



Sunday, April 24, 2011

Oregon SB736;Do We really Want To Ban Our Commercial Gillnetters From Taking Fish On The Main Lower Columbia And Leave Them To Sport Fishermen?


What's Wrong With This Picture?

Our River Shut Down To Our Commercial Gillnetters And What Is And Has Been Their Life Blood Over Sport Fishermen?

Does This Bill Assure Retraining Of Our Commercial Fleet To Get Priority As Outfitters And Guides To Suppliment Their Loss Of Income?

Think We Best Be Contacting Senator Betsy Johnson On This One With A Big "No" Suggestion On Her Vote?

GRP


Senate Bill 736


Sponsored by Senator BATES, Representatives BAILEY, HUNT, KENNEMER; Senators BONAMICI, GIROD, HASS, KRUSE, MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, MORSE, OLSEN, Representatives BARKER, DEMBROW, DOHERTY, FREEMAN, GILLIAM, GREENLICK, HARKER, JOHNSON, KOMP, KOTEK, NOLAN


SUMMARY


The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's brief statement of the essential features of the measure asintroduced. Prohibits gillnet fishing in lower Columbia River except in off-channel fishery enhancement areas specified by rule of State Fish and Wildlife Commission. Becomes operative January 1, 2012. Declares emergency, effective on passage.


A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to gillnet fishing; creating new provisions; amending ORS 508.775; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. ORS 508.775 is amended to read: 508.775. (1) { + (a) + } Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for an individual to operate a vessel in the Columbia River gillnet salmon fishery without first obtaining a vessel permit issued pursuant to ORS508.775 to 508.796.


However, an individual who holds valid commercial fishing licenses and vessel permits required by and issued pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington for commercial salmon fishing in the Columbia River may land salmon in this state that were taken in the Columbia River gillnet salmon fishery without the permit otherwise required by this subsection. { + (b) Gillnet fishing under paragraph (a) of this subsection is prohibited in the lower Columbia River, except in off-channel fishery enhancement areas specified by rule of the State Fish and Wildlife Commission.


+ } (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the commercial fishing laws, it is unlawful for a wholesaler, canner or buyer to buy or receive salmon taken in the Columbia River gillnet fishery from an individual who does not have the permit required by subsection (1) { + (a) + } of this section. (3) The permit required by subsection (1) { + (a) + } of thissection is in addition to and not in lieu of the boat license required by ORS 508.260.


SECTION 2. { + Except as provided in section 3 of this 2011Act, the amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1 of this 2011 Act become operative on January 1, 2012. + }


SECTION 3. { + The State Fish and Wildlife Commission mayadopt rules before the operative date specified in section 2 ofthis 2011 Act or take any action before that date that isnecessary to implement the amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1of this 2011 Act on and after the operative date specified insection 2 of this 2011 Act. + }


SECTION 4. { + The amendments to ORS 508.775 by section 1 ofthis 2011 Act apply to vessel permits issued or renewed pursuantto ORS 508.775 to 508.796 for the Columbia River gillnet salmonfishery before, on or after the operative date specified insection 2 of this 2011 Act.+ }


SECTION 5. { + This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediatepreservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergencyis declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on itspassage. + }