Woodland, Wash. — Northwest Energetic Services admits being taken off-guard by local residents objecting because of safety and other concerns to the blasting company’s plans to consolidate operations in Oregon in the Woodland area. Property owners have raised questions about bringing materials like ammonium nitrate and increased tanker truck traffic to a landslide-prone area. Residents also told Cowlitz County commissioners they were worried about chemicals contaminating well water and noise from trucks on their quiet rural road at 4:00 a.m. in the morning. “We’ve been in business in Washington going on 60 years, and during that period we’ve always tried to be good neighbors and comply with whatever local and other regulations that affect our particular industry,” Edward Coulter, Northwest Energetic Services general manager, told Green Markets. “I’ve been somewhat surprised that the reaction has been as negative as it has been at times, but I also understand that a person’s home is usually their greatest single investment.” Coulter said the company has held two public meetings thus far and is contemplating a third one. “We’ve responded to every question for information from periodicals, newspapers, and individual home owners,” he added. “And we have not had any transportation and storage related problems.” Cowlitz County Commission Chairman George Raiter has told residents that the county doesn’t have the ability to pick and chose what happens on private property as long as owners meet local, state, and federal regulations. "Some things are unpopular, but we live under the rule of law," Raiter insisted. "If your neighbor wants to paint his house purple, he can do that. … Unless you buy all the property around, they can do this." The land selected by Northwest Energetic was formerly timbered and doesn’t have a zoning designation, meaning a zoning change won’t be required. Company officials said they are completing a study to test the stability of the land.
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