June 01, 2007

Gilbert Mears

Columbia Riverkeeper, Hood River, OR
2007

I had the pleasure this past summer to have worked at the Portland office of Columbia Riverkeeper under talented L&C alum, Brett VandenHeuvel. I spent the majority of my summer doing research, composing memoranda, and drafting documents regarding the Liquefied Natural Gas terminal proposed along the Columbia at Bradwood Landing. In addition to the days at the office, I accompanied other Riverkeeper staff members on multiple occasions to Astoria to coordinate with the public in our opposition to terminal, as well as to attend and offer oral comments at the Planning Commission hearing regarding the terminal. Other occasional excursions included traveling to facilities to which CRK had already sent 60-day notices for stormwater discharge violations. It was interesting to see the post-notice negotiation process unfold and the dynamic effect of the 60-day period on this process. In all, I feel super fortunate to have worked with CRK this summer. My partial PILP stipend made this experience more financially possible. Thanks!