Wauna fire update
Fair memories
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FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2023
VOL. 132, NO. 12 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
NEXT pulls railyard application, plans to refile WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
NEXT Renewables has withdrawn its application for the addition of a railyard to the diesel refinery at Port Westward. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) overturned Columbia County’s approval for the Houston-based NEXT Renewables LLC’s proposed 400-car railyard for the diesel refinery at Port Westward in November 2022. NEXT submitted a new application at a meeting with County Commissioners June 26. NEXT plans to refile a new application with an associated conditional use permit. “The Planning Commission expressed interest in considering both the rail proposal and the associated conditional use permit at the same time, and we can understand why County decision-makers would want to review both permits in a concurrent process,” NEXT Communications Director Michael Hinrichs said. “Therefore, we are going to withdraw this application and refile a new application concurrently with the associated conditional use permit.” The withdrawal of the proposal came July 14, only weeks after the new application was submitted. The addition of the railyard is heavily opposed by local farmers and conserva-
This is a conceptual drawing of the NEXT Renewable Fuels biofuels plant at Port Westward.
tion groups who say it will negatively impact the area. They also say that NEXT does not have the right to use the land for the rail system and that it goes against NEXT’s promises when establishing the project. Railyard concerns Local farmers, clean water advocates, and uprail communities concerned about long trains bisecting Columbia County cities and towns remain adamant that the Port Westward area is better suited to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
than a major new refinery that would produce diesel from fracked gas and unknown feedstocks. A key opponent of the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels facility is the environmental watchdog group Columbia Riverkeeper, which has been contesting the state and federal permits for the facility. “NEXT specifically promised for years not to do exactly this. They committed, repeatedly, in public, not to use extensive rail traffic to bring in feedstocks,” Columbia Riverkeeper Conservation Director Dan Serres said. “While they’re trying to pretend
Courtesy photo
this isn’t a significant change, it’s a huge change. And that’s one of the reasons why the community is speaking up against it.” Serres said that the inclusion of a railyard is a large departure from the original proposal that stated the primary shipment of materials would be through the port. According to Hinrichs, a misconception about the issue is that NEXT will use rail as their primary operation. Hinrich said NEXT still fully intends to operate their facility by using ship deliveries - both feedstock supply coming in from global
sources and finished product being delivered to west coast destinations. “Our proposed rail concept supports 1) modest rail use for deliveries of processing materials like bleaching clay, 2) local delivery to Oregon transit operators like Portland Metro, Port of Portland and TriMet, and 3) rail optionality if the Columbia River maritime channel is temporarily closed (like it was in 2017 as a safety response to the Eagle Creek fire),” Hinrichs said. Hinrichs said the new design eliminates five siding rail tracks and reduces the number of siding tracks between the main facility and Hermo Road from five to two. The updated proposal significantly decreases rail infrastructure and moves almost all of the rail entirely onto the previously approved industrial facility property, according to Hinrichs. Critics say that they may not have the approval to use that land. Community opposition At the meeting June 26, more than 20 community members offered testimony opposing the addition of the railyard. Columbia Riverkeeper, a conservation group, submitted
See NEXT Page A6
‘Significant increase’ in human caused fires in Oregon JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) reports a “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state this summer. “The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said. Escaped fires of any kind resulting in property damage or requiring suppression efforts from a fire agency, may result in fines and individual financial responsibility for damages, according to the Columbia County Fire Defense Board. ODF is also anticipating lighting Level 1: Means “be ready” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system. Metro Creative Connection
Oregon’s summer conditions have heightened the wildfire danger across Columbia County and the state.
Obituaries ................. A3 News and Views ...... A4 Community Events .. A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Crossword ................ A6
Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
strikes that could result in wildfire starts. One of the state’s largest wildfires this summer has burned over 18,000 near Agnes in southwest Oregon as of this week. The cause of that fire was under investigation and human activity had not been ruled out. Hundreds of fire crews were battling the blaze on the ground and from the air. Public safety restrictions were in place surrounding the fire and evacuations have been made. Even with rain earlier this week, fire officials said the conditions continue to worsen as the weather pattern of strong winds and high temperatures dries out forest fuels. Be prepared Fire agency officials said the wildfires can move rapidly and can
be dangerous, so visitors and residents need to be aware and pay attention when the fires are close to communities. “Be aware.” Gasperini said. “Pay attention to local news outlets. The wildfires are a concern throughout the summer,” ODF recommends that you have a go-bag with essential supplies for your safety if you are forced to relocated due to a wildfire. If evacuations are possible, Gasperini said it’s important that the public pay attention to law enforcement agencies who will coordinate efforts to get people to safety. “Know the evacuation routes and the backup routes,” he said. Emergency Management agencies across the state list the following evacuation alert classifications:
Level 2: Means “be set” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.
Level 3: Means “go” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.
This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
See WILDFIRE Page A3
Clatskanie Festival letting the light shine WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
The 2023 Clatskanie Festival will let the light shine this year, and organizer Lori Sherman hopes the event will bring the community out for a few days of fun and camaraderie. The free festival designed with fun for the whole family takes place Aug. 4 to 6. The event features a Light Parade with this year’s theme, “It Takes a Village.” The community festival was founded nine years ago by Sherman and her husband Steve. Sherman and a small board of volunteers began planning the festival in January. “It is a free family fun event. And we actually continued through COVID; we found ways to be creative, keep everybody safe, we did not have one COVID outbreak,” Sherman said. “It’s just to get the community together.” The Grand Marshal for the Light Parade will be any and all volunteers of clubs, groups, and organizations. Sherman said the idea
is to celebrate those volunteers who help make the community special. Sherman said the Clatskanie Parks and Recreation Department has helped make the event possible by allowing Clatskanie City Park and the Clatskanie City Pool to be available for the festival. The weekend will kick off with a free movie and free refreshments at dusk on Aug. 4 at Clatskanie City Park, be sure to bring a chair or blanket to sit on. There will also be a book sale at the Clatskanie Library District at 11 Lillich Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4. Full-on festival On Aug. 5, the festival kicks into high gear with a full host of activities. There will be festival vendors in City Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as local musicians, a Make A Wish Well, and other fun for all age ranges. Sherman said there are 14 vendors signed up right now, but they are hoping for 20, and the booths are free to sign up for.
This is the ninth year of the Clatskanie Festival.
The vendors include a couple of enterprising youths who will be selling cookies and lemonade. Of course, the vendors are only part of the fun. “We have free rock painting for kids, we have free face painting, we have free music all day, we have a pet parade and petting zoo,”
Courtesy photo from Lori Sherman
Sherman said. “The Parks and Rec offers free open swim from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.” For those who have a sweet tooth, there will also be a free cakewalk featuring baked sweets from Safeway and some of Stuffy’s
See FESTIVAL Page A3