In its editorial “Pipeline law untangles red tape”, the editorial board of The World seems to have missed the mark rather badly.
They express the view that “HB2700,the so-called LNG fast track bill, will allow a more rational process for granting state permits”. Let’s look at reality.
The Jordan Cove LNG project, for example, requires a viable permit from FERC before it can progress beyond the conceptual planning stage. What could possibly be more irrational than the Oregon legislature passing a bill streamlining a permitting process by the Department of State Lands for a project that does not yet have a viable permit from FERC because of an administrative challenge and threatened litigation by the Attorney General of the State of Oregon? In other words, we seek to streamline Oregon approval of a project that Oregon views as having been wrongly approved by FERC based on what Oregon has identified as a decision process which is legally indefensible under existing Federal law and regulations. This is rational?
In a recent E-Newsletter to constituents, State Senator Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg, District 1) states “Our land use and water rights laws and regulations are a convoluted mess and anything we can do to streamline the process makes sense.” This seems to capture the current mindset of the Oregon Legislature.
However, no amount of piecemeal “streamlining” can correct a management system that is inherently faulty and obsolete.
During his first term, Governor Kitzhaber presided over the issuance of “the first scientifically credible, comprehensive assessment of Oregon’s environment” namely, the Oregon State of the Environment Report 2000. This report clearly states that “The State’s existing environmental data collection and management system must be improved……new approaches aimed at sustaining the health of naturally functions landscapes and the productive capacity of the environment” are needed.
How about it, Governor Kitzhaber? You did a great job in identifying the problem during your first term. I believe Oregonians would be best served if, during your current term, you forgot about “streamlining” and concentrated on fixing our current obsolete and dysfunctional environmental management machinery.
Ron Sadler
Combining natural resource agencies sounds good at first glance. The problem lies in how do you find a resource oriented person to lead? The real issue is that State agencies are run by Governor appointees who are professional managers but not resource experienced. This leads to a serious lack of resource protection-direction and no long term continuity. This is a problem for the employees, the resource and the public. Managers come and go, the resource is, hopefully, here to stay.