One of four members of the Clatsop County (OR) Commission who is supporting a land-use change for a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal along the Columbia River was recalled by local voters Tuesday by a 2-1 margin.

A group opposing the NorthernStar Natural Gas LNG terminal hailed the recall as a “stunning defeat for one of the main LNG supporters.” The recall effort against Commissioner Richard Lee predated the five-member elected county board’s latest (4-1) vote favoring the Bradwood Landing LNG project’s zoning changes and conditions (see Daily GPI, March 25).

In an announcement from one of the activist groups opposing the LNG terminal, Clatsop County Residents for Common Sense, Lee was described as a “long-time political figure who was chair of the county commission until the recall effort was initiated.” The group noted that Lee had spent more than $40,000 to defend his seat on the commission, outspending the citizen-led recall effort by better than six to one.

NorthernStar’s Portland, OR-based spokesperson was aware of the recall against Lee but said none of the other commissioners had so far been targeted, and that Residents for Common Sense was just one of several local groups that have been formed to oppose the project.

“There’s no question that the LNG project was an important issue for many people in this recall,” said former county planning commissioner Marc Auerbach, who was one of the lead organizers of the recall. Last year before the county-elected body approved the rezoning for the proposed LNG site, the county planning committee recommended officials approve it by a 4-3 vote that rejected the committee’s staff recommendation that the project backers be denied their request.

“Clatsop County has sent a clear message that Commissioner Lee and the county commission is out of touch with local residents,” said Lori Durheim, who worked for both the recall and in the continuing fight against the LNG terminal plans.

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