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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2015)
9A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015 Park: Project ‘will cause adverse impacts to listed species’ Continued from Page 1A of the Fort Clatsop unit, east of the Lewis and Clark River. In addition, the terminal would be located within 0.25 miles of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the new pipeline segment would actually cross the trail. Visitors following the route of Lewis and Clark along the Columbia River would be exposed, during accidental spills near the ter- PLQDO WR ³ÀDPPDEOH YDSRU K\GURJHQ VXO¿GH YDSRU DQG benzene,” according to the modeled design spills con- tained in FERC’s draft state- ment, the letter notes. Visitors paddling on the Lewis and Clark River, in- cluding those on guided kayak tours, would pass over or near three horizontal directional drilling crossings and “would be within the potential impact circle of a pipeline incident.” “These are new and novel hazards and many visitors to the national parks would not be familiar with them,” the letter reads, adding that Or- egon LNG should consider introducing educational signs and materials — akin to those illustrating tsunami hazards — near the project site and all potential affected areas. Economics The Interior Department worries that the LNG project may reduce visitation and rec- reation at the park because of a drop in scenic values and the ULVHLQWUDI¿FGXULQJFRQVWUXF- tion. Though the increases in noise and air pollution may fall below statutory limits, both “may lead to a decrease in recreation as visitors avoid these effects.” When analyzing the proj- ect’s impact on visitors, Ore- gon LNG consulted with the Port of Astoria and cruise ship representatives. “However, neither the (draft statement) nor Oregon LNG included consultation or interviews with other types of tourists to determine if they would con- D SODQ WKDW LGHQWL¿HV ZD\V WR avoid, minimize, and/or mit- igate impacts to the wetlands at the Otter Point wetland res- toration site that serve as juve- nile salmonid habitat.” Cultural resources The letter says there could be negative effects on the na- tional park’s historical and ar- chaeological resources as well because park lands within the area of the pipeline have not yet been surveyed. The work involved in up- grading the transmission line would “adversely affect cul- tural resources at the park by degrading the cultural land- scape at the Otter Point wet- land restoration site through DFWLYLWLHV VXFK DV ¿OOLQJ ZHW- lands and removing vegeta- tion.” “The Otter Point project was undertaken not only to provide habitat for federally listed salmonids, but also to restore the cultural landscape associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The wet- land plant species chosen for Daily Astorian/File Photo revegetation were document- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent Scott Tucker pauses along the Kwis-Kwis Trail. The park has ed in the journals of Lewis joined in comments about potential adverse impacts of Oregon LNG’s proposed terminal and pipeline project. and Clark and are still cultur- ally important to local tribes. “Moreover,” the letter con- tinue to visit the area during calculation of economic bene- habitat would have to be re- DQG ¿QG WKH EHVW VROXWLRQ WR or after the construction of ¿WVRIWKHSURMHFW´ moved, plants installed to pro- avoid harm. To date, however, tinues, “the landscape itself an LNG facility, as has been vide cover and food web con- the park service has not been has become an interpretive Species done with other LNG proj- nections would be removed or contacted by Oregon LNG re- medium, with park staff using The Interior Department ¿OOHG DQG WLGDO FKDQQHOV WKDW garding the matter, the letter key landmarks and habitats ects,” the letter states. including those at Otter Point Oregon LNG argues in said the LNG project “will had been excavated would be states. press materials that the proj- cause adverse impacts to list- ¿OOHG´ “FERC and Oregon LNG as part of their ongoing retell- ect will “create thousands of ed species due to the perma- The National Park Ser- — in consultation with the ing of the Lewis and Clark good construction and support nent loss of rearing habitat for vice has offered to work with U.S. Army Corps of Engi- story to park visitors.” Oregon LNG could not be jobs for more than four years, federally threatened and en- the project’s design team to neers and the (Interior) De- plus many permanent direct dangered juvenile salmonids identify impacts at this site partment — should develop reached for comment. and indirect jobs at good wag- in park lands.” In order to upgrade a trans- es.” But visitation to the park mission line linked to the ter- also provides an economic minal and pipeline, the project EHQH¿WWRWKHFRPPXQLW\WKH developers would “construct Clatsop Community College Foundation 1,000 feet of access road, letter points out. Presents In 2014, the park’s 244,920 create structure laydown and visitors spent $13.7 million in worksite areas, and install communities near the park. permanent footings through “That spending supported 221 juvenile salmon habitat.” This habitat, the Interior jobs in the local area and had DFXPXODWLYHEHQH¿WWRWKHOR- Department noted, was re- cal economy of over $19 mil- stored as part of the federal Featuring Deac Guidi, Ann Bronson & Richard Bowman government’s commitments lion.” “The economic loss from to recover these species. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2015 - 3:30PM “Large woody debris in- a potential decrease in visita- CCC Performing Arts Center, 16th & Franklin, Astoria tion should be included in the stalled to provide structural MOSTLY MUSICALS $15 at the door; 12 & under free Supporting you for a Lifetime of Health Locally grown loans. Unlike national banks, we’re in the business of helping local businesses. That’s what neighbors are for. 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