Smelter proposal draws opposition

PRIEST RIVER — The PacWest silicon smelter proposal faced another tough room on Thursday.

Bonner and Pend Oreille county residents filled the Priest River Event Center to standing room only. Some called for a more rigorous analysis of the facility’s potential impacts to environmental resources, while others simply urged the Canadian company to pound sand.

Bonner County resident Constance Albrecht questioned whether the Washington State Environmental Policy Act would include a range of development alternatives, including a no-action alternative commonly found in federal National Environmental Policy Act environmental impact statements.

“The preferred alternative, in my mind, is they can go back to Canada,” said Albrecht, an asthmatic who is concerned emissions from the smelter will worsen her condition.

Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad acknowledged that prospect of additional jobs in the region may have allure, but it would come at a great sacrifice.

“The foundation of our economy here, in North Idaho in particular, is really based on our high quality of life and that is founded in our high-quality air and water resources. That’s our greatest asset,” Rognstad told Washington Department of Ecology officials during the meeting.

Ken Merrill, a water resource manager who represented the Kalispel Tribe during the scoping hearing, found it difficult to fathom why such a project would be located in an area with abundant resources that deserve legacy-level protections for generations to come.

“This is the worst imaginable scenario place to put a smelter,” said Merrill. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Another recurring theme during Thursday’s scoping that was largely absent from Wedenesday’s scoping meeting in Newport was the controversy surrounding PacWest’s acquisition of 188 acres south of Newport to construct the facility. Counsel for Citizens Against the Newport Smelter argues the sale of Pend Oreille Public Utility District and Pend Oreille County public lands was improper.

“The land was acquired illegally and sold as private property behind closed doors,” said Bonner County resident Steven Bradshaw.

A recurring theme common to both scoping hearings, meanwhile, was the contention that there isn’t enough information provided to the public to allow it to meaningfully respond to the proposal. Smelter opponents also contended the SEPA process is premature because PacWest has not formally applied for permits.

Betty Gardner, who’s resided on the banks of the Priest River for nearly 40 years, said she’s watched water quality and fish habitat degrade over time. Gardner and Rognstad also both advocated for an environmental review that takes into account the Idaho Panhandle.

“I want a study that does not stop at the borders,” said Gardner.

An online scoping hearing is being conducted on Thursday, Sept. 27 for people who were unable to attend this week’s scoping hearings. Visit ecology.wa.gov for information on the webinar.

The project’s deadline for written comments is Oct. 26

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.