The Department of State Lands (DSL) announces a second 30-day public comment period for two removal-fill permit applications: the Jordan Cove Energy Project and related Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. The second public comment period will start December 10, 2015 and end Jan. 8, 2016, 31 days from the previous deadline of Dec. 9, 2015. The second public comment period is in response to multiple requests from individuals and organizations to allow more time to review and comment on the large volume of application materials. DSL’s deadline for making a permit decision remains February 8, 2016. The agency also will provide an opportunity for the public to comment in person on Jan. 7, between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the North Bend Public Library (1800 Sherman Avenue, North Bend, 97459). The agency will host an open-house event, with the option for people to provide two minutes of testimony per person that will be entered into the record. The removal-fill permit applications are available on the DSL website and at 22 public libraries along the pipeline corridor in Coos, Douglas, Jackson and Klamath counties. DSL administers the state’s removal-fill law, which requires a permit for activities in wetlands and waterways that will remove or fill more than 50 cubic yards of material. Additional information about the Jordan Cove project is on the DSL website (under Current Information): www.oregon.gov/dsl. The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.
