From: [email protected] To: PDS_Planning_Commission Cc: Council; Satpal Sidhu; Barbara Brenner; Rud Browne; Barry Buchanan; Carl Weimer; Ken Mann; Todd Donovan; Jack Louws; Sam (Jeanne) Ryan; PDS Subject: Regarding Cherry Point Amendments, oil spills and explosions Date: Wednesday, December 07, 2016 6:36:45 PM Dear Whatcom County Planning Commission: I just read Paula Rotondi's December 6, 2016 comment that has been posted on the Whatcom County Cherry Point Amendments web page. I am so appreciative of the effort that Paula expended to assemble the comprehensive list of oil spills and explosions that she included with her comment, which is relevant to any pipeline projects that companies may propose at Cherry Point. Such catastrophes speak to the need for strong policy and regulations in Whatcom County to protect Xwe'chi'eXen/Cherry Point and is part of why I support the Council Proposal for the Cherry Point Amendments. Just after I read Paula's letter, I came across a post on Facebook about a new spill on December 6, 2016 that occurred about 200 miles from Standing Rock North Dakota and thought I would send the article to you to add to the list. From the article: "The pipeline owner, Belle Fourche Pipeline Co., is part of True Companies of Wyoming, which also owns Bridger Pipeline that had a major oil spill in 2015 in Montana that contaminated the Yellowstone River and affected the water supply for the city of Glendive. "The spill discovered Monday morning about 16 miles northwest of Belfield contaminated Ash Coulee Creek with the release contained about 2½ miles downstream, said Bill Suess, spill investigation program manager for the North Dakota Department of Health. "'It is a significant spill,' Suess said." http://www.inforum.com/news/4174394-nd-oil-pipeline-shut-down-after- significant-spill-creek ND oil pipeline shut down after 'significant' spill in creek By Amy Dalrymple BELFIELD, N.D. — A pipeline leak caused a significant oil spill in a tributary of the Little Missouri River this... I am also thankful to the Standing Rock tribe who has done so much to raise awareness about pipeline projects in their fight to protect their sacred lands and waters and safeguard their treaty rights. Obviously, such protections are vital to the lands sacred to Lummi Nation at Xwe'chi'eXen/Cherry Point, as well. Water is life. Thank you for every effort you take to protect our water here in Whatcom County. Sincerely, Dena Jensen Birch Bay [email protected].