Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Is A Public Trust

(Thoughts on Wednesday's LUBA remand hearing - besides my great respect and appreciation for all who testified.)

Peter Huhtala - Columbia River Business Alliance
July 10, 2009

I watched with amazement as Ed Sullivan, attorney for Houston-based LNG speculators, attempted to give improper direction to the Clatsop County Commission (“LNG (the sequel) ignites county hearing,”July 10, 2009).

“You’re not here to apply the will of the people,” he said. Mr. Sullivan apparently reached a point in his illustrious career where he needed to be reminded that the foundation of Oregon’s land use law is to serve the public interest.

This is all the more evident when a proposed use includes the gift of public resource – the Columbia River.

Mr. Sullivan’s client, Northern Star LLC owns no part of this great waterway, yet they’re angling for exclusive use of a significant portion of its ecosystem.

Their use would pre-empt long-standing uses including fishing.

Construction and operation would kill salmon – a species with an even longer-standing use of the river.

The Columbia River is a public trust. The Commissioners who have unprecedented say over its fate have been delegated that authority by the will of the people.

Mr. Sullivan received his reminder of this fact with the roar of collective outrage as he incorrectly characterized the decision before the Commission.

The hearing is quasi-judicial but the choice of interpretation is political.

Houston’s Northern Star should lose, based both upon facts and local sentiment.

We will see if the elected commissioners each understand their role as stewards of the public trust who were elected to do the will of the people. The deliberation and vote on Thursday July 16, at 6 pm in the Judge Guy Boyington Building may be the most significant of their careers in public service.

Let us express our standing in this matter by ensuring standing-room-only in witness to this decision.

Peter

Peter Huhtala Announces Challenge For Brad Witt's Oregon House Seat

Huhtala announces candidacy for Oregon House
August 9, 2009
Contact Peter Huhtala (503) 468-8038

(Astoria, Oregon) Peter Huhtala announced today his
intention to seek the Democratic nomination for Oregon
House of Representatives District 31. Another Democrat –
Brad Witt, now holds this seat.

“I believe that I’m in touch with the values of the great
majority of the people of our district,” said Huhtala. “We
want and deserve good jobs, affordable health care, high
quality education, and a healthy environment.

“I have a vision for the future of this state. Oregon can
become a leader in renewable energy, green technology and
energy efficiency. We have the unprecedented opportunity
to create hundreds of thousands of solid jobs that build
our energy independence and confront global warming. Many
Oregonians share this vision.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Witt has been aiding and abetting LNG
speculators with their plans to bring foreign fossil fuels
to Oregon for shipment through massive pipelines to
California. This is intolerable.”

Huhtala cited Witt’s sponsorship of HR-3058 as catering to
the LNG industry. HR-3058 would streamline the permitting
process for pipelines that serve LNG terminals. “Mr. Witt
is serving those who would cause harm to our rivers and
forests, and damage our fishing, tourism and farming
industries. He’s lost connection with the people of his
this region.”

“If Mr. Witt decides to try for another term I’ll be ready
with a choice,” said Huhtala. “My choice is to reject
exploitation and to embrace healthy appropriate economic
growth. My choice is to listen to my constituents. Now is
the time when we earn the praise of future generations for
the quality of life that they inherit.”

Peter Huhtala is Executive Director of Columbia River
Business Alliance and owner of Ocean Rose Music. Formerly
he was the director of governmental relations for Pacific
Marine Conservation Council. He is a native of Astoria.