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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergecy Services, March 16 Restaurant Inspections Medford elementary students cook to impress in Future Chef Competition Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergecy Services, March 16 Emergency services, March 15 Emergency services, March 14 Judge denies motion to suppress evidence in Rogue River serial murder case Medford man gets 4 years for burglaries Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education St. Mary's School buys campus from parish for $6.5 million Medford School District calls foul on teachers union Supporters rally to back beleaguered principal St. Mary's reaches out to China Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Environment Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site State News At Dorchester Conference, Oregon Republicans look past a bruising election Curry County commissioner's decision to opt out of insurance causes clamor Gov. Kate Brown to declare drought emergency in Lake, Malheur counties Lebanon High School sharpshooters aim for national titles Man languishes in Oregon jail, hasn't commit a crime Nation - World Obituaries James Albert Button Marjorie Ann Carter Rosaline (Tagudin) Wasierski Kenneth L. Swenson Frank Richard "Dick" Middaugh Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Tourney filled with great story lines Cowboy Up Young, No. 13 Irvine gear up for No. 4 Louisville Spieth proves clutch at Valspar Varsity 541 College Sports Tourney filled with great story lines Cowboy Up Young, No. 13 Irvine gear up for No. 4 Louisville No Contest Maguin, Parks shine in Raiders' opening meet Pro Sports Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Spieth proves clutch at Valspar Celtics end Pacers' winning streak at seven Defending champ Djokovic advances to third round Ichiro still going strong Community Sports Business Latest Stories Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Blog: Are You Superstitious? East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Letters to the Editor, March 15 Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Editorials Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 13 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Letters to the Editor, March 11 Columns Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Dana Milbank: Jason Rezaian's detention a tragedy for Iran Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Haga-Parks Southern Oregon Journal: It’s a small world Adopt a Pet Can you hear what I'm saying? Food Community blog: Have a ball at this weekend's cheese festival Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Page H. Onorato: Try out this hot stuff in your kitchen on a cold night Home and Garden The delightful work of flowers Using universal design Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Theater Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action ... Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals ... Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action ... Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline Comment By Bryan Sohl MailTribune.com By Bryan Sohl Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM By Bryan Sohl Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM » Social News I agree with the Mail Tribune that the Proposed Jordan Cove LNG pipeline project should not be built. The litmus test of “does this project serve the greater community good?” is not met. But there are other reasons as well. One reason is safety. Williams pipeline, the Oklahoma company partnering with Canadian Veresen Inc. on this project, has a questionable safety record. On Sept 14, 2008 in Appomattox County Virginia, a Williams Company 42-inch natural gas pipeline ruptured, causing a fireball half a mile high and wide. Five people suffered severe burns, two homes were demolished, and 100 others damaged. Imagine this occurring in Shady Cove, or in our local backcountry on a 104-degree, windy August day. Who knows how many hundred thousand acres might be burned. Since 2002, there have been 95 “significant” gas transmission incidents involving Williams. In March 2013 in Parachute, Colo., 10,000 gallons of hydrocarbons leaked from a Williams pipeline contaminating soil, groundwater, and Parachute Creek, which continues to contain measurable cancer-causing benzene. Since May of 2013, there have been four explosions in Williams-owned facilities. One accident in Louisiana killed two and injured 114. One in March of 2014 at a LNG facility in Washington State injured five and forced the evacuation of 400 residents within a two-mile radius. Another in April of 2014 forced the evacuation of another town in Wyoming. Do we really want, or need this company, with this safety record, to profit at the expense of our safety? Is this a project that has so much “local good” that we should allow eminent domain to be applied to our neighbors property? Would you want this pipeline across your land? I disagree with the Mail Tribune, however, in its characterization of this project as not having environmental risks. Besides the risk of a catastrophic fire should the pipeline rupture, there are other environmental risks. This pipeline crosses 400 different identified waterways. This includes major rivers with fish on the endangered species list. Rivers crossed by this pipeline include the Lost River, the Klamath River near Keno (home of world class trout fishing), the Rogue River near Shady Cove (home of world class steelhead and salmon fishing), the South Fork of the Umpqua River, the Coquille River, and the Coos River. These rivers, and their headwaters, will be subject to siltation associated with the crossing of water bodies in steep terrain subject to high water flows and also the building of temporary coffer dams. Warmer stream temperatures secondary to the 95-foot-wide swath of clearcut needed on both sides of each water body crossed will be seen. And then there is the real potential for a major “frack out.” or rupture of bedrock under the Rogue River, releasing tons of fine sediment into the Rogue River at the Shady Cove river-crossing site that could smother critical salmon and steelhead spawning beds for a long distance downstream. We have worked hard in recent years to improve the health of our local rivers and streams, taking out multiple dams on the Rogue River, and we are soon to start this process on the Klamath. Recreational opportunities support hundreds of jobs in the fishing and whitewater communities here. Do we want to risk this? Is any chance of catastrophe that could affect our beloved rivers worth the benefit we might reap from this project? I think not. In addition, there are huge environmental concerns with the disruption of critical wetlands in Coos Bay at the LNG terminal site from the required dredging of Coos Bay, and building of the terminal site on wetlands. This project would cross 11.6 miles of, and affect 239 acres of wetlands. What about the non-local effects of fracking, and the use of toxic fracking chemicals on the environments and groundwater in the Rocky Mountain states and Western Canada that this project would help facilitate? And lastly, do we in Jackson County want to be party to of the building of more and more infrastructure to facilitate the development of more and more fossil fuel use, primarily in Asia, or do we want to “just say no!” and take a firm stand that now is the time to move our energy infrastructure towards a renewable energy base? Now is the time we must take a firm and uncompromising position on issues that affect climate change. When I look at my children Rachel, Hannah, and Noah, and think about their future, and their kids' future, I know what the answer is. Lets work to stop the Jordan Cove LNG pipeline project. Bryan Sohl lives in Ashland. By Bryan Sohl MailTribune.com By Bryan Sohl Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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