Housing development proposed next to former toxic waste dump

A proposal in Terrebonne to build housing on a site adjacent to a mine and former hazardous waste site has new life.

Here's a recent news story: 
http://www.ktvz.com/news/terrebonne-housing-development-still-on-hold/37305912

Aspects of the project have been denied twice by hearings officers but those decisions were appealed to the Deschutes County Commissioners. Commissioners will decide in February whether to give the project the green light. 

OLAWA has multiple land and water concerns about the proposal. Here are some.
  1. The property owners say they've done what's required to remediate the mining/dump site across the street. The County's hearings officer and the neighbors do not think so, and neither do we. There are ongoing airborne dust problems for neighboring residents. They are worried that the dust that blows off the diatomaceous earth mine may expose them to cristobalite, a carcinogen.
  2. The developer is counting significant
    Deschutes River flood plain acreage to meet their open space requirements. But the hearings officer decided the type of development proposed isn't allowed in flood plain zones. (Read the complex details here, pp. 13-22.)
  3. Open space would also include areas that were mined and that border a much larger parcel that was used to store toxic, solid and radioactive wastes. This raises concerns about families and pets being exposed to past contamination.
  4. The air, soil, and groundwater testing done on the building site and adjacent parcel has been very limited considering the potential risks to families that may move in--and to those who already live near by. Neighbors of the project say that groundwater testing hasn't been based on the actual hydrology of the site, and that soil samples have been inadequate, given the hazardous liquid and radioactive wastes that were dumped at the former mining site.
  5. Instead of a community well, individual wells will be the water source for the houses. This means any impacts on the Deschutes River or the aquifer don't have to be offset through mitigation. And this could mean reduced flows in the Deschutes.
  6. The rimrock, wetlands and other habitat on and near the site are home to 150 bird species including Golden Eagles. Oregon's Department of Fish & Wildlife says the development "could result in the loss of habitats used by a variety of native mammals, birds and reptiles.”



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The nearby Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve is one of the biggest birding attractions in Central Oregon.
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Sludge ponds when adjacent site was a toxic waste dump
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The property overlooks the Deschutes River and is bordered by farms, ranches, a wildlife preserve and a vineyard. The white areas are exposed diatomaceous earth and possibly cristobalite.
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Nearly 800 barrels of liquid toxic waste were stored improperly on the adjacent site in the 1970s. Radioactive and solid waste were also dumped there. Mining operations included cooking of diatomaceous earth in a furnace, resulting in cristobalite, a carcinogen.
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Tentative plan for the Lower Bridge housing subdivision

Location

Lower Bridge Road housing development
NW Lower Bridge Way on the Deschutes River
Terrebonne, OR

The site is across from the Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve, on a Scenic State Waterway. The first phase of housing is across the road from the main mining and toxic waste site, part of which will be used for open space for the housing development. Mining for aggregate was done on the first phase building site.

More about the site and proposed development

TAKE ACTION

  1. Attend the field trip open to the public 11 a.m., January 15, 2016 so you can see what's at stake. NOTE: no comments from the public are allowed. Only the commissioners may ask questions or discuss issues. Meet on NW Lower Bridge Way at the gate to the east side of the property,  about 1/2 mile south of the Lower Bridge crossing of the Deschutes River. A 4WD/AWD vehicle with high clearance is recommended; carpooling may be required.
  2. Email the County Commissioners and Planner by January 28 to express your views: Tony.DeBone@deschutes.org, Alan.Unger@deschutes.org, Tammy.Baney@deschutes.org and William.Groves@deschutes.org.
  3. Attend the February meeting of the County Commissioners when they will make their decision: 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR. Search here for the date and time when it's posted.
  4. Donate to OLAWA: ​It takes hard work to monitor controversial proposals and keep the public informed about projects like this. Help us shine light on what's going on by making a contribution. We're a nonprofit.
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