In the spring of 2000, at a county council meeting the Williams Company proposed a pipeline from Sumas to Vancouver Island via Cherry Point across the Georgia Strait. They would take the easement by eminent domain. The council denied the project pending further details.

I and my neighbors attended meetings and worked with tribes, fishermen and others with environmental concerns to stop the pipeline.

Finally, a meeting with the hearing examiner was held. He found for Williams; however, the Williams lawyer noted that the county had failed to deny the permit in a timely fashion. I reminded the chairman that the council was against the project from the start. About a week later, Williams cancelled the project.

I don't know if a lack of demand for gas or public input caused the project to fail.

Again I see a few greedy corporations want to jeopardize our county for their own gain.

Eminent domain will be exercised to accrue more tracks and infrastructure.

At the end Williams just walked away. All our time and effort was not an issue.

Therefore I propose that the proponents of the GPT offer a bond to cover the time and effort we have to put forth to save our environment for our kids and the generations to come.

Who do you trust?

Alan Bell

Custer