Commission Recommends Denial of Industrial Expansion Near Proposed Coal, Oil Terminals
June 17, 2013
St. Helens, OR – After receiving overwhelming testimony in opposition to the expansion of the Port Westward industrial area near Clatskanie, today the Columbia County Planning Commission recommended denial of land use changes that would have more than doubled the size of the Port Westward Industrial Park. During hearings in May, the Planning Commission received detailed, passionate testimony from Columbia County farmers, business owners, and residents who are concerned that the expanded industrial zone would be used for coal exports, oil shipments, or both. The Port of St. Helens, which has supported multiple coal export proposals, requested the proposed changes.
Read Riverkeeper's legal comments opposing the industrial land grab at Port Westward here.
“The Port is pushing for coal and oil exports, proposals that are completely at odds with the health of the Columbia River and the residents of Columbia County,” argued Dan Serres, Conservation Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “We are heartened to see that the Planning Commission is taking the concerns of Columbia County residents seriously.”
During public hearings, local residents and business owners expressed serious concerns about the impact of increased unit train traffic in Scappoose, St. Helens, and Rainier. “The Planning Commission heard a clear message from its constituents: we don’t want dirty industry at Port Westward,” stated Nancy Ward, with local activist group Clean Columbia County. “The prospect of a dozen or more unit trains – whether for oil or coal – bisecting our communities is something that will impact every resident and business owner in Columbia County.”
Local farmers offered testimony to the Commission that was highly critical of the proposed expansion of Port Westward’s industrial area, noting that local farms use the rich local soil to produce high-value crops such as berries and mint.
“We create local jobs and support the local economy by growing high-value crops and producing value-added products in the Port Westward area,” said local mint farmer Mike Seely. “The Port is bending over backwards to try and bring in industries that are totally incompatible with our agricultural sector here. At the very least, we agree with the Planning Commission that the Port should use the existing industrial site before swallowing up more good farmland.”
The Planning Commission’s decision can be reviewed by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. The County Commission may decide to open up the rezoning issue for additional public input before making a final decision.
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