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Coos Bay: State Rejects Challenge to Multipurpose Cargo Slip Permit

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An Oregon judge has ruled in favor of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay’s permit for the development of an access channel and multipurpose vessel slip on the North Spit of lower Coos Bay.

Following the decision, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) issued a final order affirming its decision to approve the port’s removal-fill permit for the Oregon Gateway Marine Terminal.

The port submitted its application for the permit in 2007. DSL issued the permit in December 2011. A month later, Coos Waterkeeper, Friends of Living Oregon Waters, Climate Solutions, Greenpeace and the Sierra Club appealed the DSL’s approval of the permit.

In turning down the appeal, the final order states:
  • The department’s determination that the permit "met the governing statutory and regulatory criteria is supported by substantial evidence and is not flawed.”
  • The proposed upland area where the slip would be created does not contain wetlands and is above the highest high tide line.
  • The department complied with requirements for permit processing and public review.
  • The permit lawfully authorized construction of the marine terminal and disposal of dredged material at approved stockpile sites. 
Further, the order said Oregon law does not require DSL to evaluate "the appropriateness of potential users of the terminal or the products."

Jordan Cove Energy Project has purchased property and is seeking federal approval to develop a liquefied natural gas export facility, utilizing the east berth at the Oregon Gateway Marine Terminal. The west berth will be available for multipurpose cargo import/export opportunities and potential deployment of deep-sea wind power generation structures as part of the Coos Bay Wind Power Demonstration Project. 

According to the port, development of the Jordan Cove facility would create an estimated 2,600 construction jobs. Once operational, the facility would directly employ 180 people at an estimated average annual wage of $81,900. 

The final order, along with information and other public documents related to the Oregon Gateway Marine Terminal, is available at http://portofcoosbay.com/orgate.htm.
 

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