Comp plan update hearing nears

NEWPORT — The Pend Oreille County Planning Commission is taking up comprehensive land use plan amendments on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The hearing is taking place over videoconferencing. It starts at 6 p.m. and those wishing to submit comments are asked to send an email to Greg Snow, Pend Oreille County's Development director at gsnow@pendoreilleco.org to be added to the list of those wishing to speak.

The comp plan updates are seen by opponents of the proposed smelter in Newport as method of paving the way for the controversial project as public lands purchased by PacWest Silicon to be re-designated as industrial lands.

County officials have over the years disputed this characterization, but the perception endures.

Snow did not return a message seeking clarity on the comp plan changes on Tuesday. Christine Bishop of Citizens Against the Newport Silicon Smelter also did not return a message seeking comment on Tuesday.

The smelter proposal has had a divisive effect on the community for several years. Some see it as a threat to air and water quality, in addition to public health, in counties in Washington, Idaho and Montana. CANSS contends some residents have sold their homes.

"The fear of the potential pollution from the smelter has held us hostage in our own home for too long. People are forced to live under the threat of 'if' a smelter is built, they would have to move for their health's sake and the health of their family. Some have already thrown in the towel, sold their homes and moved on," CANSS said in a statement urging residents in Idaho and Washington to weigh in on the comp plan update.

Friends & Allies of the Newport Silicon Smelter, meanwhile, are welcoming the prospect of more good-paying jobs in the community. They contend smelter opponents are engaged in fear mongering and spreading distortions about the project.

To view information about the hearing and to sign up to provide comments, visit https://bit.ly/3qau1xS