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.
