Land use board deals setback to LNG backers

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - For the second time, an Oregon state land board has rejected Clatsop County's approval of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal near the mouth of the Columbia River.

The state Land Use Board of Appeals on Monday sent the case back to the county to resolve questions over whether the project is too big for the site, and whether enough is being done to protect salmon habitat and traditional fishing areas.

The board found that an area of riverbed slated for dredging to accommodate LNG ships needs to be included in the 100-acre zoning limit for the project, but an area occupied by the gas pipeline can be subtracted, so a new calculation of the project size is needed.

The board also rejected the county's interpretation of the word "protect" when it came to salmon habitat and traditional fishing areas, saying any harm needs to be minimal. However, it left open the possibility of making up for the harm by improving habitat elsewhere

Columbia Riverkeeper Brent VanderHeuven said the latest ruling is a "crushing blow" to project developer Northern Star Natural Gas of Houston, because the county has had two chances to resolve these issues and could not do it.

Although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the project, the state of Oregon can't issue critical permits until the project complies with the county land use plan, he added.

Northern Star spokesman Joe Desmond said the company remains confident the project will go forward.

He noted that it remains to be seen whether the project size will be excessive, and that they are still waiting for word from federal fisheries authorities over their mitigation plan for salmon habitat.

Clatsop County planning director Ed Wegner said he had not yet read the decision.

The states of Oregon and Washington, Columbia Riverkeepers and the Nez Perce Tribe are appealing the federal approval, arguing the commission made its decision before environmental reviews and state permits were in.

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