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Two
long-time islanders give a brief synposis of the period from
about 1967-1972 on Samish Island, followed by our researcher's
findings at the Skagit County Historical Museum.
Information
from Gail & Steve Hopley:
The
property at Point William (about 120 acres) was purchased
by the Snohomish PUD for the location of a salt-water cooled
nuclear plant. In the late 60's, at the same time the Kiket
Island plant was being proposed, there were hearings about
Samish Island's plant and the local Islanders were very vocal
and involved in fighting the proposal.
The
Snohomish PUD owned the property until some time in the 80's
I think, and then it was divided into 20+ acre parcels and
sold to private parties, some of whom still own their parcels."
*******
Information
courtesy of Sue Ratfield:
In
the late 1960's, Seattle City Light purchased the entire Point
William end of Samish Island; approximately 100 acres . This
purchase included Herb and Theresa Goldston's home and farm,
and extended to all of Point William. They had every intention
of building at least one or two pairs of nuclear plants there.
The timing was very close to the Kiket Island project, also
attempted by Seattle City Light.
They were going to blast the solid rock at the end of the
island down to 20 feet above sea level. The resulting rock
debris was going to be pushed out into the bay to enlarge
the site even further. After this work was completed, they
would have had deep water ship access at Pt. William.
A railroad was planned to run the length of the island to
carry components for power plant construction.
Without very much resistance effort from many of the Island
residents and nearby neighbors, we would have saltwater-cooled
nuclear plants in our front yard today. Fred and Don Smith's
boat shop would be history, along with all of the other homes
and the church at the neck of the island.
Public meetings with Seattle City Light were held at the Community
Hall.
Mysterious threat letters against local families were mailed
to some of the more outspoken opponents to the nuclear plant
project.
Local hay crops were harvested by some neighbors and sold,
with the proceeds going toward the eventually successful resistance
effort.
If you have any further questions about this piece of Island
history, I'm sure you could contact Bob, Maureen or Tim Ratfield.
This all took place before I married onto the Island in 1979.
I can only pass along the info that my family has shared with
me over the years. I did not experience this first hand, and
therefore I am not quotable; but I have passed it along as
accurately as I am able.
*******
Information
Gathered at the Skagit Valley Historical Museum in La Conner:
History
Buff? Need More Details? Check the Summary
of Events, and the Key Players pulled together by our
researcher at the Skagit Valley Historical Museum.
21st
Century Nuclear Power Status:
U.S.
Nuclear Plants in the 21st Century, from the Union of
Concerned Scientists, provides a follow-up on aging nuclear
power plants, and various concerns of 2007 scientists.
Warming
up to Nuclear Power, Seattle Times, Sunday May 20, 2007.
Politicians and environmentalists are acknowledging nuclear
might have a role in combating climate change and global warming.
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