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-
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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-
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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
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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
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