Next up...Lynchburg, Virginia! I hope no one was hurt.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/04/incredible-images-of-train-derailment-in-lynchburg-virginia/

Choose Soil Not Oil!

Hersman: Growing North American Oil Industry Tests Rail Safety

http://www.npr.org/2014/04/28/307627414/hersman-growing-north-american-oil-industry-tests-rail-safety

As Oregon legislators grapple with oil train safety, Portland fire chief warns city is not equipped

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/as_oregon_legislators_grapple.html

Rapid Response Rally Against Exploding Crude Oil Trains!

https://www.facebook.com/events/536888369753392/

Clatskanie Farmers Market!

Tank cars labeled 1267 new photos from today in NW Portland on highway 30. That means highly volatile Bakken crude in a heavily traversed and populated area. Better photos this time. You can read the numbers clearly in these photos.

What I saw in Portland on my way to a meeting on Thursday April 24 2014!

Yesterday on my way to a meeting in Portland (now aware of what the unit trains numbers mean) I passed a long unit train with tanks that had the numbers 1267.  This means Bakken Crude oil. This is the highly volatile crude being shipped through our towns. This unit train was parked for at least several hours on the rails near kittredge in Northwest Portland. Here are the photos I got as another train pulled in front. 

 I couldn't get a good photo. That's pretty close to a large urban population! Are firefighters there trained and supplied for the possibility of a Bakken Crude rail explosion?

Rob Davis of the Oregonian is a REAL hero!

ODOT backs down from plan to limit disclosure of oil train shipments

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/odot_backs_down_from_plan_to_l.html

ODOT acts to limit disclosure of oil train shipments after The Oregonian won its release www.oregonlive.com

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/odot_acts_to_limit_disclosure.html#incart_m-rpt-1

DOT-111 detecting disaster spotters guide

Worth the read!

The Canadians have a pretty powerful way of tracking the trains! Let's follow suit!

http://canadians.org/blog/dot-111-detecting-disaster-spotters-guide

One citizen's opinion of the 4-11-14 Meeting between 2 Port officials and 11 citizens

One citizen's opinion of the 4-11-14 Meeting between 2 Port officials and 11 citizens:

I am immune to "spin" and "charm" offensives from elected officials.  The only thing that matters to me is what these officials actually  do.  That being said, there are a few positive things that came from this meeting.

1.  That the meeting occurred at all is a positive.  This kind of meeting had never happened before.

2.  The meeting was cordial, and  citizens were very frank in expressing their concerns.

3.  Citizens strongly reminded the Port officials that the Port does have the power necessary to stop Global's operations at Port Westward until Global complies with necessary DEQ permits.

4.  There was considerable conversation trying to define exactly what defines a "unit" train: they are single commodity (although sometimes they carry mixed commodities) and are between 90 and 110+ cars long.

5. Awareness of, and the risk to,  the natural environment was discussed 

Needs improvement:

1. The Port participants didn't provide answers to questions concerning Global's liability insurance.

2. They didn't respond positively to the suggestion that video cameras be used to monitor tanker trains to enhance safety and accurately count the numbers and types of tankers passing through the county.

3. Citizens didn't ask about our perception that the Port uses the Freedom of Information Act to obstruct citizen access to public records, imposing conditions that are too restrictive

Danner Christensen

Salmon People and place, A Talk with the author Jim Lichatowich. May 7

This event is Free and open to the public! Snacks and beverages will be provided!

Hello Friends,

Clatskanie Forward is proud to host an event with author Jim Lichatowich on his recent book Salmon People and Place: A Biologist’s Search for Salmon Recovery

This beautifully written account of his experience as an acclaimed fisheries biologist, Jim Lichatowich exposes  the sad truth that the fractured governmental agency's efforts to save the salmon have actually contributed to their drastic decline.

Lichatowich brings us hope by suggesting humans realize the acute and inseparable connection between salmon and the notion of place. As we engage in his exploration of salmon recovery based on past mistakes, perhaps we humans can rediscover our own sense of place in the intricate web of life.

Please Join us for conversation and light snacks in the Cedar Room at the Clatskanie River Inn 600 E Columbia River Hwy Clatskanie May 7th, 2014 at 7:00 pm

Light snacks will be served. 

I will attach a flier in case you want to print them, e-mail them or pass them out and spread the word!

Thank you all!

http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/salmon-people-and-place

Grain farmers stung by rail delays caused by oil trains

http://www.capitalpress.com/Nation_World/Nation/20140408/grain-farmers-stung-by-rail-delays

No state permits for oil terminals: Guest opinion

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/04/no_state_permits_for_oil_termi.html

The New Clatskanie Farmer's Market sign is unveiled at the vendor's meeting!

For oil train terminal near Clatskanie, public weighs in 18 months late

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/for_oil_train_terminal_near_cl.html

Port considers regionally significant application for industrial areas

http://www.pamplinmedia.com/scs/83-news/215390-74741-port-considers-regionally-significant-application-for-industrial-areas

Here's the latest news on Ambre's coal project. The price of coal has dropped during all these delays.

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/04/ambre_energy_coal_terminal_ask.html#incart_river_default