Remember that SDAT report that encouraged business leaders and economic development groups to reach out to all community members and build new lines of communication?

Well, the last attempt at outreach was last June when the SDAT team was here – since then, crickets.

The dialogue around economic reinvention and environmental conservation leads one to the inevitable assessment of what sustainability means for Coos County. The team found that some local groups have attempted to hijack the mantle of sustainability in order to pursue narrower agendas, interpreting it as a zero-sum choice between environmental health and economic growth, or an economic imperative bearable at any cost. The team identified a valid community perspective that was quite different. As Nancy Steele states, “It is not surprising that the people of Coos County question how they can reconcile environmental protection with the need for jobs, as environmental protection has caused jobs loss in the past. But this is the wrong question; the issue is not jobs versus environment, but rather how Coos County can become a sustainable economy, reaping the benefits of the jobs that will come with such a change.”

Well, if the current level of discourse displayed in the Port of Coos Bay marine slip dock comments presented to the Department of State Lands is any indications, SCDC (South Coast Development Council) staff and board have missed the point.

Please take the time to read all the comments, not just those pasted below, and look at the difference in quality from opponents, listing factual defects in the application or representations by the applicant. Then look at the simplistic submissions of those in favor.

NAME: Jon Barton
CITY:
STATE: OR
AGENCY:
COMMENTS:
— No adverse effects expected.
— Adverse effects not expected to be unreasonable.

This project has been examined by virtually every state and federal agency and all have weighed in with their comments. There are ample provisions for oversight by government experts in all pertinent fields. The safety of the public is more than adequately protected.

The excavcation of Jordan Cove is the beginning of a rebirth of the once active Port of Coos Bay. New ships may not be able to pass through the rail bridge. The upper bay is costly to dredge and funds more difficult to come by. The Southwestern Regional Airport could same millions by utilizing the excavated material from JC for a runway extension to accomodate larger jets in anticipation of a sea/air cargo market arising from an active port.

Over time, development of Jordan Cove could bring hunreds of good paying jobs to Coos County. We simply must bring to a halt the job killing policies of the recent past.

DSL should issue the permit.

Up till now I have given Sandy Messerle, director at SCDC, the benefit of the doubt assuming she was not deliberately disdainful of other points of view. After reading her comments, I have changed my opinion. Not only is she contemptuous of other opinions, she is clearly not qualified for the position she holds.

NAME: Sandra Geiser-Messerle
CITY: Coos Bay
STATE: OR
AGENCY: South Coast Development Council
COMMENTS:
— No adverse effects expected.

We trust in the thorough Oregon permitting processes, and in the diligence our regulatory agencies in the oversight of these permits. Further, we have the utmost faith and confidence in the professionalism, thorough research and diligence of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and its management. This project stands to benefit our economically distressed area not only in the immediate future but for generations to come through the restorative use of our vital resource…our bay. The necessary processes and plans to address this utilization in building a sustainable future for this region were affirmed in the 2010 Coos County SDAT report, an inclusive countywide planning process conducted in June. Further, the SCDC earlier produced a white paper on this project, done by EcoNorthwest, which documented fully both the economic benefits of this project to the area, but the lack of any measureable negative impacts as well.
For the sake of Coos County, for the sake of our future generations, and for the economic benefit of the State of Oregon, this application needs to be approved without further delay.

Thank-you.

*EcoNorthwest has come under criticism for inadequately researching and documenting their findings in reports prepared for other communities

Where Messerle’s real character shows through is in her second comment. SCDC clearly has no use for opinions other than their own. The emotional tone of the comment and the personal attacks have no place in the DSL process. Moreover, if she did read the application in full and was qualified to assess it, she would be aware the concerns raised by people she labels as ‘against economic development’ are legitimate. She clearly doesn’t understand the process she is commenting on.

NAME: Sandy Messerle
CITY: Coos Bay
STATE: OR
AGENCY: Rural Resident
COMMENTS:
— No adverse effects expected.

I hope that these comments, written from the heart of a rural Coos County resident, will have at least as much impact as the numerous “cut-and-paste” comments from the anti-LNG folks.
I desire only the best possible future of Coos County; this is permit is for a project with positive ramifications well into the future. I am weary of those who ‘have’ being so willing to let others do without. I marvel at the organizational reach of self-appointed champions against economic development and a future for our economically challenged area. I respect the rights of others to have their say…but do not condone the ugliness and lack of civility with which they say it.
This area has been hostage to a chorus of unsubstantiated rhetoric for way too long. Our regulatory agencies have been forced to delays under the weight of their demands. They can hold these projects hostage, without any penalty or “skin in the game,” while those filing for the permits are forced to costly delays and unreasonable expense.
I have read the application in its entirety. It is thorough, professionally and respectfully done. It meets all state regulatory requirements, and addresses in great detail how mitigation will be a precursor to any potential — real or perceived — impact.
Please, I am asking that these permits be granted for the economic benefits that this project will bring to our area well into the future…a workable, functional port with terminals to handle a variety of industries.
Grant this project the permits it deserves to move forward, for the current and future generations of Coos Bay.

As the SDAT report pointed out, narrow views like Messerle’s hold the county hostage to the same thinking that got it where it is and disable its ability to become a sustainable rather than dependent economy.