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Latest Status on Saddleback Project

May 6 and 7, 2009:

There were a couple meetings held by EFSEC to solicit public comment on the project. The "scoping" meeting will occured on two days. One to be held in Stevenson at the Rock Creek Community Center on Wednesday May 6th, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

"Notice of Public Meeting and Scoping. The EFSEC will hold a public informational meeting where the applicant (SDS) will make a presentation regarding the proposed Whistling Ridge Energy Project. EFSEC will review a certification process and the Counsel for the Environment will be introduced and explain his statutory duties.... the public will be invited to provide written and oral suggestions and comments regarding the scope and or issues to be addressed in the environmental impact statement to be prepared under the State Environmental Policy Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The issues identified in the scoping process will be taken into account during the preparation of the environmental impact statement for this project."

On May 7, 2009 beginning at 2:30 p.m. the "scoping" meeting continued at the Underwood Community Center, 951 Schoolhouse Road in Underwood. T

 At 6:30 p.m. on May 7th ...a public Land Use hearing was be held... to determine if the project is consistent with county... land use plans and zoning ordinances. The public was afforded an opportunity to present testimony relative to the project's consistency and compliance with land use plans and zoning ordinances.

March 10, 2009:

SDS Lumber filed an application with EFSEC for the Saddleback Project (original 40+ turbines), renaming the project "Whistling Ridge Wind Project".  "The State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC or Council) provides a "one-stop" siting process for major energy facilities in the State of Washington. EFSEC coordinates all evaluation and licensing steps for siting certain energy facilities in Washington.  EFSEC specifies the conditions of construction and operation. If approved, a Site Certification Agreement is issued in lieu of any other individual state or local agency permits.  EFSEC also manages an environmental and safety oversight program of facility and site operations."

February 23, 2009:

The hearings examiner, after hearing testimony from Friends of the Gorge, SOSA, County Officials and various experts, has ruled that Skamania County must perform a complete Environmental Impact Study regarding the proposed zoning changes.  The official decision can be found here

January 26, 2009:

An alert local resident found that SDS has applied with the Department of Natural Resources to extent the Saddleback Project from 44 turbines, to over 80, using the public's land.  Quick response by all of you, caused the public comment period to be extended to Feb 10th.  If you have not already, please provide comments on this project by going here.  Remember, Feb 10th is the last chance to comment.

January 25, 2009:

The SOSA filed "Notice of Appeal", and Friends of the Columbia Gorge "Notice of Administrative Appeal and Comment Letter" has been heard by a Skamania County hired hearings examiner.  A desion is expected within a few weeks.  If the hearing examiner sides with our cause, the county will be required to perform an Environmental Impact Study for the zoning changes, and the allowable uses (e.g. Wind Turbine Projects).

May 28, 2008:

SOSA filed a "Notice of Appeal", appealing the Determination of Non-Significance issued by the Skamania County Commissioners regarding the proposed changes to the zoning on 89% of the county lands.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge filed "Notice of Administrative Appeal and Comment Letter" indicating that Skamania County has failed to adequately evaluate the environmental impact of the proposed zoning changes.  The Friends are declaring that before moving forward, the County must consider the following points:

1. Skamania County must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as required by state law.  The County is currently trying to bypass environmental review by failing to produce an EIS.  An EIS would mandate that the County fulfill its legal responsibility to evaluate the impacts, protect wildlife and avoid scenic view-sheds like the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  Without undergoing an full environmental review now, many future industrial projects could be exempted from environmental review and approved without public scrutiny..

2. Narrow the geographic scope of the "Commercial Resource" lands. Currently, the County is proposing to zone more than 89% of non-Scenic Area lands as Commercial Resource, where energy development would be allowed virtually outright. The County needs to amend the proposed zoning ordinance to include buffers along the Scenic Area Boundary wilderness area boundaries and other specially designated areas.  The zoning ordinance should require avoidance of Critical Areas, National Forest lands, migratory bird flyways, habitat for sensitive, threatened or endangered plants and wildlife, residential areas, etc. 

3. Improve the proposed standards for wind facilities. For example, require on-site cultural resource specialists, require a financial security bond to be posted up front in case the project goes defunct, require visual simulations of proposed projects from public vantage points, require reporting of bird and bat mortality and avoidance or mitigation measures in the event of high mortality levels.

May 21, 2008:

Skamania County Commissioners and the Planning Department release proposed zoning changes which would allow many different types of industrial sites, without adequate conditions and setbacks.  Public hearings were performed to solicit comments.

Thank you all for your participation in the public hearings and the mailings.  Hopefully your comments will not be ignored.

May 16, 2008:

SOSA has just received information from Puget Sound Energy President Stephen Reynolds that "PSE has signed a letter of intent with SDS Lumber Co. and is investigating obtaining development rights...".   Now is your time for action!  Please write: Mr. Stephen P. Reynolds, Chairman, President & CEO Puget Sound Energy, 10885 NE 4th Street, P.O. Box 97034, Bellevue, WA  98009-9734, and let him know that Saddleback and Underwood is an unacceptable location for this industrial facility.

May 14, 2008

SOSA formally informs Representative Chandler, Senator Honeyford, and Representative Newhouse of the Saddleback project's impact to the scenic area and Underwood.  Read the letter here Now is your time for action!  Please write/email your state and federal government and let them know that Saddleback and Underwood is an unacceptable location for this industrial facility.

General Status:

SDS Lumber, although advertising an end of 2007 timeframe, has not yet submitted for any permits regarding the construction of the Saddleback project.  However, they have completed many of the necessary studies and have completed the clear-cutting needed to construct the facility.

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Copyright © 2008 Save Our Scenic Area
Last modified: 05/10/09