FROM: Duane Cole, County Manager - KF7LRX SUBJECT: Update for Week April 15, 2011

LNG(Oregon LNG Pipeline Application) – The process in the Court system continues. This week the applicant filed a motion for a change of venue. A hearing on the change of venue will be in Clatsop County by Judge Jonathan Hill from Tillamook County on April 29 at 3:30 p.m. A hearing on all Circuit Court motions filed in Clatsop County is set for May 13, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 200 of the County Courthouse. The County filed a request for a time extension with LUBA and this was granted by LUBA, stopping the clock until things are resolved. The time line for additional consideration by the County is not known at this time.

Clatsop County Commissions, Boards And Committees; The Law And The Bylaws!!

These were the (12) speakers, all against the reappointing of Clatsop County Planning Commission, at last Wednesday's, April 13, 2011 Clatsop County Board of Commissioners meeting and forgive me the possible inaccuracies in the spelling of their names.... Beebee Johnson Stan Johnson Cary Johnson Kathy Sanders Jeremy Baudish Margaret Hyland Art Hyland Tim Gannaway Mr. Shipley Allen Smiles Dale Barrett Christine Bridgens In the majority, if you know the names of these people and our recent history with CCBofC, you will clearly see that this is all merely a continuation of the political polarization of this community and the continued vindictiveness between the local parties, allowing it all to spill-over into Non-Partisan Government, in my view. Listen to the "Audio" and you will clearly hear that it is still only about "Political Footholds" in our community and who has slipped over the edge after years of unquestioned dominance. Now, anybody with the least common sense and especially those that follow the local mainstream parties and pay close attention to their websites can clearly see who, over recent years has worked hardest to insert their candidates into non-partisan seats on commissions, boards and committees and we all know that is the case but, the problem is, we are in some serious trouble here and party politics is not going to get us out of it and they need to be and we must insist they be left at the front and back door of the halls of Clatsop County Government. Read Them Both To Make-Up Your Own Mind

Clatsop Farm Board Of Review Calls For Applicants

Thursday, April 14, 2011 FARM BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS Clatsop County is seeking volunteers knowledgeable and experienced in farmland values to serve on the Farm Board of Review to set assessment values for local farmland......Read Full Call For Applicants

Clatsop Board Of Commissioners Approves Land Deal With City Of Astoria

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE LAND AGREEMENT WITH ASTORIA

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved an agreement with the City of Astoria settling a dispute over ownership of an undeveloped tract next to Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. The county will pay $60,000 to the city for clear title to the property, which consists of two tax lots totaling about 46 acres immediately east of the cemetery. The county will also dismiss a lawsuit it filed against the city in February......Read Full Release

Clatsop County Commissioners Honor Local Volunteers

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HONOR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday honored the county’s top volunteers for 2010 and expressed thanks to the hundreds of citizens who donate their time to the community.

Reserve Deputy Tom Tussing was honored as Individual Volunteer of the Year;Bill and Dorothy Davidson received the Outstanding Individuals within a Group award; and the Outstanding Volunteer Group honor went to the Caring Adults Developing Youth (CADY) mentoring program.

The board also approved a proclamation recognizing April 10-16 as Volunteer Week.

Tussing volunteers with the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Program, whose members assist regular duty personnel on patrol duties, perform civil paper service, work security for special events and help with other duties.

Ready to respond “at a moment’s notice,” Tussing volunteers an average of 60 hours a month.

“Tussing’s interest in the program has been exemplary,” said program coordinator Sgt. Mark Whisler, who nominated Tussing for the award. “He has been summoned in for various tasks including security at the Astoria waterfront fire, transport of prisoners to other facilities in the state, and volunteering to work patrol when we are short-handed.”

Bill and Dorothy Davidson are the volunteer coordinators of the Community Emergency Response Team program. The CERT teams are made up of volunteer members who provide valuable assistance during local disasters and other emergencies.

“Bill and Dorothy have given untold hours of their time to promote CERT and to train volunteers,” Clatsop County Emergency Services Coordinator Gene Strong said. “They have also been willing to respond at any time and help in the time of need.”

The CADY mentoring program, coordinated by the Clatsop County Juvenile Department, matches adult volunteers with local youth aged 10 to 17. In regular weekly meetings the mentors share their life experiences and encourage the youth to reach their dreams and full potential. The adults help keep the students in school by assisting with homework, improving academic skills and helping the youth realize the value of education.

Those honored Wednesday were among 382 volunteers who donated a total of 21, 636 hours of service with the county in 2010. That service has an estimated monetary value of $451,119.

For more information on the above volunteer programs:

· Reserve Deputy Program – Sgt. Mark Whisler, (503) 325-8635

· Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Gene Strong, (503) 325-1000

· Caring Adults Developing Youth (CADY) – Laura Parker, (503) 325-8601

For more information on other volunteer opportunities, go to “Citizen Involvement” on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Released by:

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners;April 13, 2011 Audio Transcript And Meeting Highlights

BOARD VOTE CRITICIZED During the Business from the Public portion of the meeting, a dozen audience members spoke out against the board’s March 23 vote vacating all seven positions on the Clatsop County Planning Commission and seeking new applicants. Planning Commission Chair Cary Johnson said the vote showed an “unbelievable lack of respect” to the panel and said no other planning commission in Oregon had ever had all its members removed at once. Commissioner Peter Huhtala replied that in recent years some citizens have been reluctant to apply for vacancies on the planning commission. Commissioners Huhtala, Debra Birkby and Chair Dirk Rohne voted March 23 to vacate the planning commission positions. Commissioners Scott Lee and Patricia Roberts voted no. Chair Rohne said current planning commission members would be considered for re-appointment if they applied. The plans to make the appointments by June 30. Audio Transcript of April 13, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting

April 13, 2011 CCBofC Meeting Highlights

North Coast Business Park Master Plan - Read And See It!!!

Access Full Plan Documents

Port Of Vancouver Touts Impressive Growth

Port of Vancouver touts role in economy By Aaron Corvin Columbian Staff Reporter Wednesday, April 6, 2011 The news about Clark County’s economy has been gloomy over the past two years. The Port of Vancouver on Wednesday showed what it’s doing to improve it, revealing increases in cargo volumes in 2010, spotlighting the creation of jobs and pointing to more jobs to come as it invests in rail and other infrastructure improvements. The port is working “to put more of our neighbors back to work,” Larry Paulson, the port’s executive director, said during the “State of the Port Address” held at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. “This is our time to lead.”Read Full TDN Report

Cowlitz County Drug Court Takes A Dark Turn

By Tony Lystra / The Daily News Posted: Saturday, April 2, 2011 10:00 pm Editor's Note The Daily News has been following Kelso resident Don Pomerenke's progress through Cowlitz County's Drug Court program since 2009. Pomerenke graduated from the program last year. Clarification: Two Cowlitz County men had already graduated from the county's Drug Court program when Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning hired them to do landscaping work at his home last year. The men were not participants in the program when the judge, who oversees Drug Court, hired them. Both men were mentioned in Sunday's story about a Drug Court graduate's relapse. Don Pomerenke attended countless hours of group therapy, counseling sessions and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The government gave him a housing voucher so he could rent an apartment. And when Pomerenke graduated from Drug Court nearly a year ago, a judge shook his hand instead of sending him to prison.....Read Full TDN, Tony Lystra Report

HB-3025(D.A. Authority On Municipal Court Cases) Passes House Judiciary With A "Do Pass" Vote 8 to 1 In Favor

The Oregon House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted 8 to 1 in favor of a "Do Pass" to the floor of State Legislature on House Bill 3025 which clarifies the specific authority of Oregon County District Attorneys on all Municipal/Justice Court Cases.

An Observation;Clatsop County Planning Commission

The By-Laws and Ordinance(01-10) have been on the books for at least 8 years and clearly defines the role of members of the Clatsop County Planning Commission and common sense would tell most people that when one is selected as a member of that panel, the acceptance of those conditions by the individual, if not protested, would be implied don't you think? So why now would it be so important to start protesting the unfairness of ordinance 01-10 and its accompanying by-laws when the majority of the current sitting commission chooses, in light of a complete redistricting, to exercise their prerogative in restructuring the planning commission? Add to this the simple fact that the members of the current, sitting, Planning Commission have been invited to re-submit their applications along with everybody else that applies. Wouldn't common sense tell us that if these members, to the man/woman, were doing the job they were appointed to do, would they still be looked at favorably to continue serving? Do you think, at the time this ordinance, 01-10 was being developed by Richard Lee, Sam Patrick, Tim Gannaway, Russ Farmer and Bob Green and approved on August 2, 2002, that they were all so naive that they didn't know what, exactly, they were approving and its true motive? So, here they are, members of Clatsop CountyPlanning Commission and I think most of us familiar with recent history of this panel on key, current issues around these parts know their association, tenure and position on them. Mike Autio Cary Johnson Brian Pogue Marcia Harper-Vellutini Clarke Powers Stephen Malkowski Pat O’Grady What do you think, who should go and who should stay? Is CCBofC off-base here or are they simply exercising their legal right?

From Clatsop County;Recreational Lands Committee Seeks Applicants

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR RECREATIONAL LANDS COMMITTEE

Clatsop County is seeking applicants for open seats on the Recreational Lands Planning Advisory Committee.

The citizen committee assists in developing long-range plans for county parks, and formulating amendments to the recreation lands element of the county’s comprehensive land-use plan.

The committee meets once a month.

The county board of commissioners will make the appointments.

To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000.

Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “Board of Commissioners/Administration.”

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners;Current April 13, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda

*AMENDED* Regular Meeting/Executive Session Wednesday, April 13, 2011 – 9:30 am Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria *Executive Session: 8:30 am 1) To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed per ORS 192.660(1)(h) Read Full Agenda

Clatsop County Accepting Applications For Clatsop County Planning Commission

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 COUNTY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING COMMISSION

Clatsop County is accepting applications for the county planning commission.

On March 23 the county board of commissioners voted to vacate all seven seats on the panel and invite the current members and new applicants to apply for the vacated positions.

The planning commission advises the board of commissioners on land-use planning, conducts land-use hearings and implements the county’s zoning and comprehensive plan. The panel normally meets once a month.

Planning commission membership rules require that panel members be residents of various geographic areas of the county, and that no more than two members reside in incorporated cities. In addition, no more than two members may be engaged in the buying, selling or developing of real estate, and no more than two members may be engaged in the same occupation.

Appointments to the planning commission are normally for four years, but appointees to these vacancies will serve the remainder of the current terms, which expire at various dates. Two positions have terms that expire June 30, 2012; three positions’ terms expire June 30, 2014; and the remaining two positions’ terms expire June 30, 2015.

The board of commissioners will make the appointments.

To see the ordinance and bylaws governing the planning commission, go to “Land Use Planning” on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ and click on “Planning Commission.”

The deadline to apply is May 13.

To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000.

Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “County Manager.”

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

From Clatsop County; Slide Blocks Washington S.R.-4. Westport Ferry On All-Night Schedule

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 SLIDE BLOCKS WASHINGTON SR 4; WESTPORT FERRY ON ALL-NIGHT SCHEDULE The Wahkiakum County, Wash. Public Works Department has announced that a landslide has blocked State Route 4 between Cathlamet and Longview. As a result, the Westport Ferry will operate through the night, Tuesday night, to accommodate detoured traffic. Motorists using the ferry, which operates between Cathlamet and Westport, are advised to expect longer-than-normal waiting times for the ferry. Released by: Tom Bennett Community Relations Coordinator (503) 325-1000

From The Daily Astorian - SETD's Howe; "I stand by my record of service"

Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 11:32 am

Updated: 11:39 am, Tue Apr 5, 2011.

By CHELSEA GORROW - The Daily Astorian

It’s been kept under wraps during the layoffs, cuts and bottom lines of the Sunset Empire Transportation District and the exit of former-Executive Director Cindy Howe. But with a settlement reached, and Howe’s paid-administrative leave concluded, the investigation into Howe’s conduct is finally coming to light.....Read Full Chelsea Gorrow, Daily Astorian Report

USCG District 13; Cofferdam Construction Starts At Stranded Barge Davey Corockett

PORTLAND, Ore. - Work crews place sheet piling near the barge Davy Crockett Monday, April 4, 2011. When completed, the sheet piling will form a cofferdam encircling the barge and containing pollutants during the vessel's removal from the Columbia River. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer Shawn Eggert.......View Full Details

From Clatsop County; Transition Center Closes!!

Monday, April 04, 2011

TRANSITION CENTER CLOSES; SAVINGS WILL FUND OTHER SERVICES

The Clatsop County Community Corrections Transition Center has been closed effective Friday, April 1. The facility, an alternative sanction program for local offenders, had been slated for closure as part of a reorganization of the county’s Community Corrections Department. Friday’s closure was the result of a joint decision of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and Community Corrections staff......Read Full Release

Astoria City Council Agenda For April 4, 2011;Goal Setting?, Another $18,000 For Another Study To Move Chinese Interpretive Center To Safeway Block?

A "Lackluster" Aquatic Center report from, still, Interim Director Moss?

Read Full Agenda/Memorandum

The Astoria DUII Issue: Want To Hear What Was Actually Said At HB3025 Hearing?

Click Here To Access The "Oregonlive" Audio For HB3025 Hearing on March 31, 2011

Clatsop District Attorney Marquis; Transcript Of Testimony At February 11, 2011 Governor's Advisory Committee On DUII's. Oregon A.G. Presents Opinion!

"What you have in front of you is a House Bill, a proposed House Bill, filed by Representative Debbie Boone, one of the two State Reps in my county, at my request. Then, right underneath it, are the statutes which it affects. Attached to that, in turn, is a packet of information which will tell you why the bill is necessary.3025 on its face is frankly something of a housekeeping bill. It relates to 8.660 which goes to the authority of District Attorneys, and the issue is where is the authority of the Municipal Court prosecutor versus the authority of the District Attorney.".......Read Full Transcript

Oregon Attorney General/Department Of Justice Presents An Opinion On The Authority of District Attorney To Transfer Municipal DUII Prosecution To Circuit Court....."we are prepared to argue that the district attorney's authority is primary in situations where the city attorney may have concurrent jurisdiction(such as misdemeanor DUII prosecutions in municipal court)."

From Clatsop County Sheriff's Office;High Angle Rescue Team, Assisted By Cannon Beach Fire Department And USCG Retrieve Stranded Surfers

Friday, April 01, 2011 SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM RETRIEVES STRANDED SURFER On Wednesday, March 30 at about 11:15 a.m. the Clatsop County High Angle Rescue Team was dispatched to the Indian Beach parking lot at Ecola State Park for a report of two surfers stranded on the rocks to the North of Indian Beach. With the assistance of the Cannon Beach Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard ground Search and Rescue personnel, the High Angle Rescue Team was able to successfully hoist one surfer to safety. A more experienced surfer rescued the second stranded surfer. The two rescued surfers were uninjured and in good spirits. The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office would like to caution people who are surfing at the Indian Beach area. This area is very technical and novice surfers should use caution and be with an experienced surfer.

Oregon LUBA Orders Coos Bay's Jordan Cove To Prove It Has Permission To Cross Proposed Pipeline Land And Show No Impact On Olympia Oysters

Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 5:31 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 5:38 PM By Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals has kicked back Coos County's approval of the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, ordering the county to reconsider the project's impact on the Olympia Oyster and demonstrate that it has permission to cross all land along the 50 mile section of pipe in Coos County.....Read Full Report

Clatsop County Sheriff Hosts Rural Law Enforcement District Meeting

Thursday, March 31, 2011 RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DISTRICT MEETING SET FOR APRIL 12 The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office hosts a meeting of the Rural Law Enforcement District Advisory Committee on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 pm. at the Sheriff’s Office Conference Room, 355 7th St., Astoria.

The advisory committee meetings serve as an opportunity for the Sheriff’s Office to brief the committee and residents on the activities and programs the Sheriff’s Office is conducting. The primary purpose of this meeting is to discuss the requested Fiscal Year 2011-12 Rural Law Enforcement District budget.

The Sheriff’s Office values the opinions and input of the citizens it serves, and this is an opportunity to provide direct input to both the Sheriff and the Rural Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, which is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners on matters that affect the citizens of our rural communities. Released by: Tom Bennett Community Relations Coordinator (503) 325-1000

Those Clatsop County Appointed Commissions

It's The Law!!!!

Signed into Law, August 2, 2002 by Sam Patrick Ordinance 01-10 Gave Clatsop County Board of Commissioners complete authority to appoint and dismiss Board, Commission and Committee members to serve at their pleasure.

Here's a brief overview of the ordinance:

* CCBofC may establish any Board, Commission or Committee as "The Board" deems necessary or advisable.

* All members of any Board, Commission or Committee shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of CCBofC.

* Any Board, Commission or Committee may recommend to the CCBofC, the removal of any of its own members in accord with its by-laws and this ordinance.

* CCBofC may remove any approved Board, Commission or Committee member from his or her appointment by affirmative vote of at least three commissioners. Removal may be initiated in accordance to county policies and at CCBofC's discretion upon recommendation of a Board, Commission or Committee as provided in Paragraph 3.C of Ordinance 01-10

The rest you can read yourselve's

Read The Ordinance On Appointed Commissions In Clatsop County

Amended March 30, 2011 Special Meeting Agenda

*AMENDED* Special Meeting Wednesday, March 30, 2011 – 3:30 pm Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria

Read Full Details Of Notice

Clatsop County Redistricting Committee Still Seeking Applicants!!!

Monday, March 28, 2011 REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE STILL SEEKING APPLICANTS - Clatsop County is still seeking applicants for a citizen panel charged with drawing new boundaries for county commissioner districts based on the 2010 U.S. Census data. The process, conducted every 10 years following the Census, ensures that all five districts represented by the county commissioners have roughly equal population by re-drawing the boundaries to take into account any shifts in population within the county. The 11-member committee will be made up of one citizen representative from each commissioner district and a representative from each of the five cities, with a county commissioner as chairperson. City representatives will be selected by the respective city managers – Clatsop County is seeking applicants from the each of the five districts. Those members may be city residents. The committee will use the Census data to make any necessary changes in the boundaries in conformance with state requirements that districts be contiguous, of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest, and be connected by transportation links. To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “County Manager.” Forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 8. The board of commissioners will make the selections.

Released by: Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000

Port Of Longview Sets Another Revenue Record

By Erik Olson / The Daily News Posted: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 9:30 The Port of Longview pulled in nearly $28 million in 2010, hitting a record for the third consecutive year, port officials said Tuesday. The $27.8 million of revenue last year was 11 percent more than the port accumulated in 2009, when it topped the $25 million mark for the first time......Read Full Report

An Observation: Those Astoria DUII’s And Who Should Try Them: Is It Time To Take The Issue To The People?

With Clatsop County District Attorney, Josh Marquis and Astoria City Attorney, Blair Henningsgaard scheduled to be in attendance, proposed HB3025 will be heard March 31, 2011 in the House Judiciary Committee in Salem and has already won endorsement from the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII’s at a previous meeting February 11, 2011.

This culminates a year’s worth of sparring between the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office and the Astoria City Council over its Municipal Court and that court’s disposition of DUII cases and the issue seems far from being resolved at all but, here’s a rough and by no means, specific chronology of what has taken place to date:
* April, 2010: Astoria District Attorney presents his proposal to Astoria City Council declaring his desire to assume all DUII cases from Astoria Municipal Court.
* July, 2010: County D.A. comes back to Astoria City Council for further discussion on the issue and not well received by, then,. Councilor and candidate for new Astoria City Attorney, Blair Henningsgaard inferring a “personal vendetta” on the part of D.A. Marquis and Commissioner Russ Warr wanting statistics.
* At a Work Session in October, 2010, D.A. Marquis is back again with the results of a two month study by his office with everybody weighing-in on the results with no clear resolution on the issue but much scrutiny, on the part of the Council, to dissect Marquis’s report and defer any final outcomes till Mayor Van Dusen and Council and other parties review individual elements of the report.
* January, 2011: District Attorney Marquis publishes an Op-Ed in the Daily Astorian with his explanation as to why he is pursuing those DUII cases with the Astoria City Council their own letter to “The Citizens of Astoria” , collectively signed by all members and hand delivered to D.A. Marquis and a local radio personality in the dark of night to their doorstep and then, 4-5 days later meets to approve “The Letter”? Read The Op-Ed And Letter Here
* February, 2011: Oregon Rep. Deborah Boone drafts and introduces HB 3025 which will be heard March 31, 2011 in the House Judiciary Committee in Salem. Read “The Bill” Language Here

And so, here we are today and I’m looking at a headline in Thursday’s Daily Astorian that reads; ”Astoria DUII Battle Re-Ignites”?

Re-ignites?

I’d say that fire is still burning as strong as ever now with Astoria Police Chief Curzon weighing-in with his own statement on the issue and comes across, in my view, as somewhat generic and diluted and lends nothing whatsoever towards any resolution from his position and perspective.

Still, no clear resolution and still, many unanswered and unsettled questions remain and the true question I see arising ultimately is; Does this issue need to go before the people of Astoria to settle?

Should we hold open hearings, with testimony from all involved without fear from any reprisal or retaliation for that testimony?

I say “Yes” we should and the sooner the better and as amicably as possible.

Palomar Gas Partners Back-Off Proposed Pipeline Project, Citing Insufficient Demand To Support It.

Published: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 8:15 PM
Updated: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 8:08 AM

By Ted Sickinger, The Oregonian

Northwest Natural Gas Co. and TransCanada Corp. have withdrawn their joint venture's application to build the controversial Palomar pipeline, telling regulators that demand is insufficient to support the project in the near term. The announcement moves the project off the map and out of a labyrinthine regulatory process in Washington, D.C., where elaborate environmental studies and high-priced lawyers can quickly lay their own high-capacity pipeline into shareholders' wallets..... Read Full Ted Sickinger Report

March 30, 2011 Special Meeting To Reconsider Oregon Pipeline LLC Consolidated Pipeline Application

Special Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 – 3:30 pm
Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria
Special Meeting: 3:30 pm
The Board of Commissioners, as the Governing Body of Clatsop County, all County Service Districts for which this body so
acts, and as the Clatsop County Local Contract Review Board, is now meeting in Special Session.
FLAG SALUTE
ROLL CALL
AGENDA APPROVAL
PUBLIC HEARING
a. Oregon Pipeline LLC consolidated application reconsideration ............................................. { }

March 23, 2011: An Eventful Evening At Clatsop County

OK, we heard NNB's Tom Freel present his slant on last night's CCBofC meeeting this morning.
We got the Daily Astorian's concise presentation this afternoon and yes, it is true, Clatsop County Board of Commissioners plans to vacate the sitting membership of the current Clatsop County Planning Commission and replace it with a new commission by June 30, 2011. FYI, CCBofC can, by statute, do this and has every right to do so.

The Board of Commissioners makes it very clear that all current members of the sitting Planning Commission whose tetm will not expire by june 30, 2011 will be invited to reapply for their seat if they so wish and be included amongst the list of candidates slated for review and appointment.

Me? Write something just to be writing something when we have, already, two distinct versions of what two professional journalists interpreted?

I don't think I will, on this one and I really want all of you to listen directly to the "Complete Audio" of last night's meeting for yourselves and then develop your own judgement as to what transpired

Listen To Full Audio Of Last Night's CCBofC Meeting

Update:Regular Meeting Notice For: Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners, Wednesday, March 23, 2011

To: Media
Attached is second amended agenda for March 23 Clatsop County Board of Commissioners meeting. A second executive session has been added at the conclusion of the regular session, and executive session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. is now for ORS 192.660(1)(h)-Litigation.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

5:30 PM Executive Session preceeding the regular meeting at 6:00 PM

Read Full Meeting Notice

County's Draft Of Staff Findings And Conclusions On Oregon LNG/Pipeline's Application Still Supports Staff Recommendation For Denial

Clatsop County Draft of revised Staff Findings and Conclusions on Oregon LNG/Pipeline's application for a 41 mile long, High Pressure Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline still maintains denial of project.... Read Full Draft Of County's Document

Clatsop County Imate Work Crew Collects 4600 Pounds Of Trash From Woods

Monday, March 21, 2011

INMATE CREW COLLECTS 4,600 POUNDS OF TRASH FROM WOODS

On Friday, March 18 the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Crew completed a two-week garbage cleanup project in the Astoria Basin forest area, locally referred to as the “Pipeline” area.

This project, coordinated by Forest Patrol Deputy Michael Nelson, was carried out with the participation and cooperation of the Oregon Department of Forestry Astoria District.
4,600 pounds of garbage, discarded furniture, and appliances were bagged in 70 33-gallon garbage sacks and collected.

140 inmate labor hours were contributed to the collection and disposal of the garbage, which was transported to the Western Oregon Waste facility in Astoria. Those fees were paid by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Items found which identify potential suspects of criminal activity including Offensive Littering are being processed. Cases worthy of prosecution have been and will be referred to the Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office.

To report crimes on forestlands in Clatsop County contact Sr. Deputy Michael Nelson at (503) 791-4978.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Update: Post After-Action Review Work Session For March 11, 2011 Release From County

Read Full County Post-Work Session Report



Members of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners plan to attend an after-action review by county staff and invited guests of the local response to the March 11 tsunami event. The review will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 at 800 Exchange St., Suite 430, Astoria.

Because a quorum of at least three commissioners are likely to attend, the county is required to notice the meeting as a work session of the board.

No deliberation or action by the board is scheduled to occur at this meeting.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

Clatsop County:Looks To Improve Phone Notification System

Monday, March 21, 2011

COUNTY PURSUES NEW, IMPROVED PHONE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
A key tool in alerting Clatsop County residents about the potential threat from the Pacific tsunami on March 11 was the telephone-based emergency notification system (ENS).
The “reverse-9-1-1” system allowed local emergency managers to send out recorded messages to people in selected areas, informing them of the tsunami warning and urging them to prepare to evacuate to safer ground. The calls, beginning at about 2 a.m., went out to approximately 7,500 households.....Read Full Clatsop County News Release

U.S. Department Of The Interior-BLM Gives Priority Status To 19 Renewable Energy Projects. Oregon Gets Two

U.S. Department of the Interior-BLM
Renewable Energy Priority Projects
Last Updated: March 8, 2011.

The BLM in 2011 continues work on developing a portfolio of renewable energy projects on public lands. The agency has given priority status to 19 projects (nine solar, five wind, and five geothermal)..... Read Full Details

Circuit Court Judge, Cindee Matyas Vacates Oregon LNG/Pipeline Writ Of Mandamus Motion, Cancels Friday Hearing!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 17, 2011

JUDGE VACATES OREGON PIPELINE MOTION

A Clatsop County Circuit Court judge on Thursday vacated a writ of mandamus motion filed by Oregon Pipeline LLC against Clatsop County.

The action by Judge Cindee Matyas effectively puts an end to the company’s motion, which sought immediate approval for its consolidated land-use application for the construction of 41 miles of natural gas pipeline. A hearing scheduled for Friday morning in front of Matyas on the motion has been cancelled.

At the March 9 hearing the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a new set of findings that would result in the application’s denial. The board is currently scheduled to review the draft findings and possibly approve them at a special meeting March 30.
The board of commissioners originally voted in November to approve the application. The ruling was appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals by project opponents, and in January the board, with three new members, elected to withdraw the November decision in order to reconsider the application.

On March 4 Oregon Pipeline filed a request for a writ of mandamus with the court seeking immediate approval of its application. The motion argues that the county has missed the legal deadline for taking final action on the application. If local jurisdictions fail to act on an application within the required timeframe, applicants can seek to have a circuit court order the application to be approved.

Matyas signed the writ and set a hearing for March 18 to hear from attorneys for the county and the applicant. On Thursday, she rescinded her signature and cancelled the hearing.

Oregon Pipeline also claims that, once Matyas signed the writ on March 4, the application came under the official jurisdiction of the court, and that the county had no authority to hold its hearing March 9. No representative from the company attended that hearing.

At this point, Clatsop County is proceeding with the review process, including the March 30 meeting, until it receives direction to do otherwise from its legal counsel, according to County Manager Duane Cole.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

U.S. House Votes To End NPR Federal Funding!

Mark Memmott - NPR News
March 17, 2011 - 3:38PM

The House of Representatives just voted 228-192 to bar NPR from receiving any more federal funds. It was a partisan vote, with Republicans voting "aye" and Democrats voting "nay."....Read Full Report

May 17, 2011 Special District Elections:114 Open Positions, Only 32 Declared Candidates So Far As March 17, Candidate Filing Deadline Approaches

To See Elections Calendar And Who Has Filed So Far Click This!

You Gonna Run For Office? Today's Your Last Day!!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 3, 2011

MANY RACES IN MAY 17 ELECTION STILL SEEKING CANDIDATES

Would you like to make a difference in your community? How about lending your time and expertise to a local district providing vital services to you and your neighbors?
The deadline to file for the May 17 special district election is approaching, and many positions up for election still have no candidates.
The May election features contests for school districts, fire districts, water and sewer districts and other entities. The deadline to file as a candidate for the election is March 17.
There are a total of 114 positions on 39 different service district boards and commissions up for election, but candidates had filed for only 32 of those positions as of Wednesday, March 2.
Among the positions with no candidates are those on the Port of Astoria Commission and Clatsop Community College Board of Directors.
Here are the districts with positions on the May 17 election:

County-wide districts
Port of Astoria
Clatsop Community College
Sunset Empire Transportation District

School Districts
Astoria School District
Clatskanie School District (candidates file with Columbia County)
Jewell School District
Knappa School District
Seaside School District
Warrenton-Hammond School District

Rural Fire Protection Districts
Cannon Beach RFPD
Clatskanie RFPD (candidates file with Columbia County)
Elsie-Vinemaple RFPD
Gearhart RFPD
Hamlet RFPD
John Day-Fernhill RFPD
Knappa-Svensen-Burnside RFPD
Lewis & Clark RFPD
Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD (candidates file with Columbia County)
Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue (candidates file with Tillamook County)
Olney-Walluski Fire & Rescue
Seaside RFPD
Warrenton RFPD
Westport-Wauna RFPD

Water Districts
Arch Cape Domestic Water Supply District
Falcon Cove Beach Water District
John Day Water District
Skipanon Water District
Wauna Water District
Wickiup Water District
Willowdale Water District
Youngs Bay Water District
Sanitary Service Districts
Arch Cape Sanitary District
Miles Crossing Sanitary Sewer District
Shoreline Sanitary District
Sundown Sanitary District

Health districts
Clatsop Care Health District
Union Health District

Other Districts
Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District
Clatsop County Rural Law Enforcement District

Candidates can file to run by fee or petition.
For a complete list of all seats up for election, the requirements for each office and other information, go to the “Clerk/Elections” page on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/.
The last day to register to vote in the May 17 election is April 26; more voter registration information is also available on the Clerk/Elections page of the county website. People can also check their voter registration status online by going to https://secure.sos.state.or.us/eim/vr/showVoterSearch.do

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Port Of Astoria Presented A Speculative Plan For Energy Farm At Bradwood Landing?

(The photo-rendering is of a pilot hydrogen fuel filling station now under construction in Southern California and will be the model used for the so-called "Hydrogen Highway")

Ah! "Perpetual Candidate" and "Bio-Mass Energy Project Promoter", John Dunzer, now teaming up with Bradwood Landing property owner, Ken Leahy?

Dunzer speculates using that property (Bradwood Landing) for an "Energy Farm"?
Wants to ship little bitty shiploads of LNG from Kenai, Alaska, down the coast and then upriver to Bradwood Landing to be used to whatever means necessary to recycle tires and produce Hydrogen for the future "Hydrogen Highway" and other assorted and volatile gases such as, Liquid Oxygen, Liquid Hydrogen and Argon gas?

An "Energy Farm" he calls it and wants our Port of Astoria to endorse it all?
An 11 mile, 24 inch diameter, high pressure, Natural Gas Transmission pipeline as opposed to a 30-plus mile, 36 inch diameter line going to a tie-in with Northwest Natural Gas's feeder line?
And Dunzer says it's all very simple and straight-forward and Leahy is his much-needed developer to help make it happen plus put-up the land that we all know very well, Bradwood Landing?

Bunches of questions with a few holes that really need to be plugged to make it look more realistic, in my view.

Kenai, Alaska? Kenai was in the window of Northern Star Natural Gas’s’ vision to build LNG receiving terminals at Bradwood Landing and a California project as a likely supplier of Alaskan LNG. Unfortunately, Alaska, in a joint project with Trans-Canada Pipeline opted to process and ship Their Natural Gas overland throught Alberta Province, Canada and into the U.S. Midwest and tie-in to the national pipeline system and then to the West Coast Market.

“The Hydrogen Highway”? A definite plan underway in California with a pilot Hydrogen Fuel Filling Station under construction at the moment and a fact Mr. Dunzer overlooked was that those stations when in-place will produce and dispense their own Hydrogen Fuel and will likely, as well, be positioned all along the I-5 corridor all the way up to Canada and probably beyond.
Tire Recycling? (To break those tires down to re-capture the Carbon to be re-sold) A viable but, very specialized process and sophisticated equipment to make it happen and a requirement for storage of mountains of old tires.

The Port? So, with this aggressive plan by The Dunzer/Leahy partnership, I need to ask Port of Astoria if they were just blowing smoke up our butts when they announced the proposed Martin Nygaard Timber processing and shipping project at Tongue Point accompanied by a Bio-mass power generation facility that could potentially produce enough electricity to power 14 thousand homes? In its own right would that not be an effective and purposeful “Energy Farm” likely offering many jobs?

I guess my big question is….With all these varied and specialized uses of Leahy’s Bradwood Landing property and all their inherent and sensitive and volatile sophistication, does Dunzer and Leahy actually believe this scheme will go any smoother than the last scheme on that property as attempted by Northern Star Natural Gas?

Truth is, in my view, Bradwood Landing was historically a Log/timber Shipping Operation and maybe some thought should be put into a cooperative arrangement between Leahy and “The Port” to ship those Westerlund Logs out of there, opening up the West Port facility for more Port related ventures.

GRP:This is an observation of an in-depth piece on John Dunzer and Ken Leahy's Scheme as presented to Port of Astoria and written by Katie Wilson - The Daily Astorian on March 16, 2011

Lordan Cove LNG Project Manager Says LNG Export Talk Premature

From: The World
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:58 pm

The manager of the Jordan Cove LNG terminal project did tell an energy newsletter that his company had entertained inquiries about using the facility for export of natural gas, he said Wednesday.

"But the leap of faith (in the article) from 'mulling over' to 'redesign' was enormous," said Bob Braddock......Read Full Details And Updates

Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson Denies Bail For Accused Murderer Fitzhugh

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 10:51 am Updated: 10:53 am, Tue Mar 15, 2011.
By KATIE WILSONThe Daily Astorian Daily Astorian

An Astoria man accused of murder by abuse and aggravated murder will remain in jail without bail.

According to a decision by Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Phil Nelson released Monday, the state was able to present strong evidence that Christopher Fitzhugh “recklessly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of life, caused the death of (his fiancée) Evelyn Decker.”.........Read Full Katie Wilson - Daily Astorian Article

Clatsop County Invites Public Comment On Westport Corridor And Community Plan At Community Meeting

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Clatsop County is hosting a community meeting to gather citizens’ comments about the new Westport Corridor and Community Plan, 7:30-9 p.m. March 31 at the Westport Community Church.
The plan, developed by the county in partnership with local citizens and business owners with funding from a tax-penalty payment from Georgia-Pacific, includes the following proposed projects”
· New Highway 30 access for Westport Ferry/Industrial Park
· Plympton Creek restoration
· Public park on former Georgia-Pacific site
· Boat landing improvements
· Highway 30 pedestrian safety and aesthetic improvements
The community meeting will offer information on recent design progress and the next steps in the planning process.
Public input and involvement is an important part of the planning process – the proposed projects have emerged from meetings with the Westport community, business owners and county representatives.

Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000 Ext. 1312

DEQ Officially Denies Proposed Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal/Pipeline 401 Water Quality Certification

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has denied 401 water quality certification for the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas import terminal and pipeline in Clatsop and Columbia Counties.

Read The Full Denial Letter
Read Full Evaluation And Findings Report
Read Full "Antidegradation Report"

USCG Captain Of The Port Closes Depoe Bay, Siuslaw And Columbia River Bar Entrances

ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) for Sector Columbia River, based in Astoria, has issued bar closures for Depoe Bay, Ore., Siuslaw River, Ore., and Columbia River, Ore., at approximately 2 p.m., Monday, due to hazardous conditions.

Vessels are advised to remain at sea until conditions improve.

The bar closures are for all vessels. Any request to transit the bar prior to re-opening must be approved by the COTP. Mariners wishing to transit their vessels across the bar can contact the Sector Columbia River command center on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone at (503) 861-6211.

The Coast Guard understands the effects these closures have on commerce and will make every effort to reopen these waterways as soon as they are considered safe for navigation.
For more information, contact Sector Columbia River at (503) 861-6211.

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

ODFW: Ocean Chinook Opens For Sport Anglers Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ocean Chinook opens for sport anglers Tuesday

March 10, 2011

NEWPORT, Ore. – Ocean anglers will be able to pursue chinook salmon on Oregon’s central coast starting March 15.

“The Sacramento fall chinook salmon, which have been a major limiting stock on the ocean salmon seasons over the past few seasons, are forecast to be at near average abundance this year and will allow for much more fishing opportunity during the 2011 season,” said Eric Schindler, ocean salmon project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fishing for all salmon except coho will be open from March 15 to April 30 from Cape Falcon just north of Manzanita to Humbug Mountain near Port Orford as scheduled, he said. Anglers fishing out of Tillamook Bay are reminded that only adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon may be retained when fishing inside Tillamook Bay and offshore waters within the 15-fathom depth contour between Twin Rocks and Pyramid Rock.

West Coast fishery managers are still working on other decisions about salmon seasons off the Oregon coast. The range of alternatives for the 2011 season was adopted for public review March 9 at the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Vancouver, Wash.

A public hearing process will occur later this month, including a hearing in Coos Bay at the Red Lion Inn beginning at 7 p.m., March 28. The season development will conclude during the Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting in San Mateo, Calif., April 9 through 13.

“The commercial chinook salmon fishery south of Cape Falcon scheduled to open on March 15 has been delayed until April 15 under in-season action,” Schindler said. “This season will run from April 15 through 30 in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.”
The area from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon-California border will remain closed during March and April. Seasons after April 30 are being developed at this time, he said.

Contact:
Erich Schindler or Brandon Ford (541) 867-4741Fax: (541) 867-0311

Estonia? To Produce Utah Shale Oil?

Mar 10, 2011
By Oil & Gas Journal Editors

HOUSTON, Mar. 10 -- After completing the purchase of the shares of Oil Shale Exploration Co. (OSEC), the Estonian company Eesti Energia (Enefit) plans to construct in Utah a plant for producing 57,000 b/d of shale oil.
The stock purchase is pending approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS)..........Read The Details

CCC Presents "Iron Jawed Angels" In Celebration Of Women's History Month!

Clatsop Community College is presenting
"Iron Jawed Angels"
(Introduced by Abigail Scott Duniway)
A compelling story of the radical suffragettes
who demanded that women have the right vote
by amending the Constitution.

This was the culmination of 100 years of struggle
and the reason we can be counted on to make a difference today.

Don't miss this opportunity!
Saturday, March 19th at 7:30 PM, doors open at 7 PM
The Performing Arts Center, Franklin and 16th
Art and Refreshments in the Lobby
a small donation of $5.00

Do you know who was the first woman to serve in Congress? What year?
Do you know what woman wrote the best selling book of the 19th century?
Who were the women who organized the National Council of Women in 1888?
Who was the first woman to pass exams for astronaut training? When?
Who was the first woman US Supreme Court Justice?
Who was the first woman to serve as US Attorney General?
When was Women's History Month first observed?

Clatsop County Re-Districting Committee Seeking Citizen Panel Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, March 11, 2011

CITIZENS SOUGHT FOR REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

Clatsop County is seeking applicants for a citizen panel charged with drawing new boundaries for county commissioner districts based on the 2010 U.S. Census data.
The process, conducted every 10 years following the Census, ensures that all five districts represented by the county commissioners have roughly equal population by re-drawing the boundaries to take into account any shifts in population within the county.
The 11-member committee will be made up of one citizen representative from each commissioner district and a representative from each of the five cities, with a county commissioner as chairperson. City representatives will be selected by the respective city managers – Clatsop County is seeking applicants from the each of the five districts. Those members may be city residents.
The committee will use the Census data to make any necessary changes in the boundaries in conformance with state requirements that districts be contiguous, of equal population, utilize existing geographical or political boundaries, not divide communities of common interest, and be connected by transportation links.
To apply, obtain an application form and return it to the Clatsop County Manager’s Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria OR 97103, (503) 325-1000. Forms are available from the County Manager’s Office or can be downloaded from the county website http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/ at “Documents” under “County Manager.”
Forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 25. The board of commissioners will make the selections.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

EPA Agrees To Strengthen Ships Ballast Rule

Bettina Boxall - L.A. Times - Environment

March 8, 2011 - 6:11 PM

The federal government has agreed to develop more stringent national regulations governing the discharge of ship ballast water, which has been a major source of troublesome invasive species in California and other states......Read Full Report

CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
For the reconsideration of the conditional approval of the consolidated application by Oregon Pipeline, LLC, to construct a 41-mile natural gas pipeline.
DATE OF HEARING: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
TIME: 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial Street - Astoria, Oregon 97103

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 13, 2011, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, pursuant to ORS 197.830(13(b) and OAR 661-010-0021, withdrew its decision to grant conditional approval to the Oregon Pipeline, LLC, consolidated application that was originally approved by the Board of Commissioners on November 8, 2010.

That decision had been appealed to the State of Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

On February 9, 2011, the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and set the scope of review for the reconsideration hearing. The Board has determined it may consider any and all issues identified in the findings adopted in support of the November 8, 2010, Board of Commissioners decision and that no new evidence will be considered as part of its reconsideration of the November 8, 2010 findings and decision.

The criteria applicable to the Board’s decision on reconsideration are as follows:

Land and Water Development and Use Ordinance 80-14
L3.220 – Residential Agriculture 5 Zone

L5.000 – Conditional Development and Use

L3.510 – Agricultural Forestry Zone

L5.040 – Development and Use Permitted with Review

L3.550 – Forest-80 Zone L5.120 – Coastal Zone Consistency Review

L3.560 – Exclusive Farm Use Zone

L5.350 – Transportation System Impact Review

L3.740 – Aquatic Development Zone

L5.800 – Columbia River Estuary Impact Assessment

L3.780 – Aquatic Conservation 2 Zone and Resource Capability Determination.

L3.800 – Aquatic Natural Zone

L4.000 – Flood Hazard Overlay

L4.040 – Geological Hazard Overlay

L4.080 – Shoreland Overlay

L4.200 – Sensitive Bird Habitat Overlay
Standards Document
S2.500 – Erosion Control Development Standards

S3.500 – Farm and Forest Zones Dwelling and/or Use Standards

S3.650 – Tsunami Inundation Zone

S3.700 – Geologic Hazard Requirements

S4.200 – Columbia River Estuary Shoreland and Aquatic Use
and Activity Standards

S4.500 – Protection of Riparian Vegetation

S6.000 – Road Standard specifications for Design and Construction

Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan – Goals and Policies
Goal 1 – Citizen Involvement

Goal 2 – Land Use Planning

Goal 3 - Agricultural Lands

Goal 4 - Forest Lands

Goal 5 - Open Space, Scenic and Historic Areas and Natural Resources

Gosl 6 - Air, Water and Land Quality

Goal 7 - Natural Hazards

Goal 8 - Recreation

Goal 9 – Economy

Goal 10 – Population and Housing Goal

Goal 11 – Public Facilities & Services

Goal 12 – Transportation

Goal 13 – Energy Conservation

Goals 16 and 17 – Estuarine Resources and Coastal Shorelands Lewis & Clark, Youngsd, Wallooskee River Valleys Community Plan and the Elsie - Jewell Community Plan

Oral and written argument will be accepted from all of the parties to the LUBA proceedings related to the November 8, 2010 approval. Oral argument must be presented through the parties’ legal counsel only unless otherwise permitted by the Board at the hearing.

County staff will be permitted to make a staff report and respond to Board questions. All other persons or organizations who participated in the 2010 Hearings Officer and Board of Commissioner proceedings in this matter will be permitted to submit written argument only, as provided below in this notice.

All written argument submitted to and received by this office by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, pursuant to the Board’s February 9, 2011, direction, will be considered at the March 30, 2011 public hearing.

NOTE: Failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements sufficient to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes an appeal based on that issue.

The following documents are available for review at the Clatsop County Transportation & Development Services office, 800 Exchange Street, Suite 100, Astoria, Oregon. A copy of the application, all documents and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant and applicable criteria are available for inspection at the department office during normal business hours (M-F, 8-5) at no cost and will be provided in a digital format at reasonable cost.

A copy of the staff report is available for inspection at the Department office at no cost at least seven days prior to the hearing and will be provided at a reasonable cost.

In general, the procedure for conduct of the public hearing will in accordance with LWDUO Section 2.185(3): Introductory statements by the Board of Commissioners, staff report presentation, argument from the LUBA parties, argument from other parties, rebuttal by LUBA parties, and conclusion of the public hearing.

The Board of Commissioners will then deliberate and issue a decision.

If you have questions about this land use matter or need more information, please contact Jennifer Bunch, Clatsop County Planner, at (503) 325-8611 or via email at jbunch@co.clatsop.or.us .

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Supports Staff Findings For Denial Of Oregon LNG/Pipeline Application

Thursday, March 10, 2011

BOARD SUPPORTS FINDINGS OF DENIAL FOR OREGON PIPELINE APPLICATION (GRP: No Representative From Oregon LNG/Pipeline Was In Attendance At This Hearing)
At a hearing Wednesday the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a new set of findings for the consolidated land-use application from Oregon Pipeline Company LLC that, if adopted at an upcoming meeting, will result in the application’s denial....Read Full Clatsop County Report

Updated GRP Straw Poll: Should DUII's In Astoria Be Tried In Astoria Muncipal Court Or Circuit Court

Straw Poll Ends With 107 Total Votes In 33 Days. Final Results:71% Say Try DUII's In Circuit Court, 28% Say Keep DUII's In Astoria Municipal Court!!

Let's settle it and pass-on the result. On your left you will see a Straw Poll(Non-Scientific) that simply asks the question:Should DUII's In Astoria Be Trien In Astoria Municipal Court Or Circuit Court?

Vote on it and lets see where "The People Stand"

County To Host Round-Table Conference Calls With Our State Reps & Senator

Monday, March 07, 2011

COUNTY HOSTS ROUND-TABLE CALLS WITH LAWMAKERS

Clatsop County is again organizing regular early-morning conference calls with North Coast legislators for local public officials.
The calls, beginning March 8 and tentatively scheduled to take place every other week, will enable city and county officials and other community leaders to talk directly with Sen. Betsy Johnson and Reps. Debra Boone and Bill Witt on the latest developments at the 2011 Oregon Legislature in Salem......Read Full Release

Oregon Pipeline/LNG Files Petition For Alternative Writ Of Mandamus Against Clatsop County. March 9, 2011 Re-Hearing On OLNG/Pipeline Proceeds Anyway!

(Mandamus is a judicial remedy which is in the form of an order from a superior court to any government subordinate court, corporation or public authority to do or forbear from doing some specific act which that body is obliged under law to do or refrain from doing, as the case may be, and which is in the nature of public duty and in certain cases of a statutory duty.[2] It cannot be issued to compel an authority to do something against statutory provision.)

Clatsop County Press Release!!

March 9th, Oregon Pipeline Re-Hearing To Proceed Regardless

filed a Petition for Alternative Writ of Mandamus requesting the court to compel Clatsop County to approve Oregon Pipeline's consolidated application for land use approval which would allow Oregon Pipeline/LNG to move forward with an approximate 41 mile high pressure Natural Gas transmission pipeline segment through Clatsop County.

Under Oregon Law ORS 34.130, if a county does not make a final determination on an application for a permit within 150 days after the application is deemed complete, the applicant may file the petition for Alternate Writ of Mandamus in the Clatsop County Circuit Court to compel the governing body to approve the application.

Dress Sale To Benefit Clatsop County Juvenile Department Prevention Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, March 7, 2011

DRESS SALE BENEFITS JUVENILE DEPARTMENT PREVENTION PROGRAM

Clatsop County’s Juvenile Department Prevention Program is holding a dress sale Saturday, March 12 as a fundraiser for the youth program.
The sale takes place noon to 4 p.m. at Warrenton High School gym.
Dresses are brand new, in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, and priced to sell, and are perfect for a prom, party or event.
All proceeds support the Prevention Program, which provides gender-specific programs to girls within our community; parenting classes and family activities; and community outreach to reduce underage alcohol and drug use.
For more information contact the Prevention Program at (503) 325-8673.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

HB 2800: Farm To School Bill To Be Heard Wednesday, March 9, 2011

HB 2800 Directs Department of Education to provide reimbursements to school districts that serve Oregon food products as part of United States Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Directs department to award grants for development of
food-based, agriculture-based and garden-based educational activities.

Allocates moneys from Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to Oregon Business Development Department for purposes of reimbursements and grants.
Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2011.....Read Full Bill