31 January 2018 To Whom It May Concern; Responsible Growth*NE Washington is adamantly opposed to the HiTest Sands, LLC. Silicon Metals Processing Plant proposed for Newport, WA. This opposition is based on a litany of factors and not the least being its absolute incompatibility with the Pend Oreille County Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2005 and updated in 2015.
At the time of its creation and subsequent updates, the people of Pend Oreille County and its public servants had a well-grounded vision for their community and it is contained within that document – it states that “new development is compatible with the surrounding uses, sensitive to the surrounding natural areas, and retains the rural character of the community. The people of the County want to see their land use governed by local regulations that will protect their property rights, and ensure that they may continue to use their land for timber production, ranching, farming, and mining. We recognize that these rights exist provided that they do not jeopardize the health and safety of the residents of Pend Oreille County and with these rights come the responsibilities of citizenship, stewardship, and being a good neighbor.”
We are of the strong opinion that there is no way a proposed Silicon Metals Processing Smelter aligns with the inherent values, wisdom and vision of this Plan. This smelter is toxic in every sense of the word, and the entire Plan would have to be changed to accommodate it. The unprecedented opposition to this facility by Washington as well as Idaho residents indicates the majority of people, not only those most impacted by the proposed smelter, do not want this change to happen.
Responsible Growth*NE Washington supports “responsible” economic growth and local jobs that align with the Comprehensive Plan, and we will work diligently toward achieving those goals all the while maintaining our rural lifestyle and opposing massive industrial urbanization. Sincerely,