Reporting Live: Public speaks on coal port proposal

Click on the image at right to launch UStream video filmed by the Center for New Media. 


Then scroll/fast forward the video to 32:10 for my live reporting from the Seattle EIS Scoping Meeting, Room 1 at the Washington State Convention Center, broadcast on Dec. 13, 2012. [Unfortunately, there may be a brief advertisement to start. Apologies in advance.]
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Reporting live from the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Dec. 13, 2012.

Window of Opportunity: 120-Day Scoping Period for 
Gateway Pacific Terminal ends Jan. 21, 2013
by Jennifer Karchmer || the Transparency Report*
Sept. 24, 2012

Editor's Note: Independent journalist Jennifer Karchmer is covering the Gateway Pacific Terminal proposal with a focus on the public process. She writes regularly about freedom of the press and First Amendment issues.

BELLINGHAM, Wash.

Whether you’re handing out “No Coal Trains” buttons at the Co-op or you’re cheering the possibility of new jobs to the region, you will want to know the much anticipated “scoping” period for the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) proposal begins today, Sept. 24, 2012 – that’s the 120-day window open to public comments specifically about environmental concerns. Until Jan. 21, 2013, you can submit letters (email, typed, handwritten) and speak in person explaining what you think needs to be studied – air, water, land, marine life, health and quality of life issues– before the project moves into the next phase.

In a nutshell, SSA Marine is planning to cater to overseas markets, particularly in Asia, by building the GPT in Cherry Point, WA, to export dry bulk resources like grain, potash and coal. Controversy lies around the effects of coal being transported. The company says the project will create long-term jobs and boost the economy with much needed tax revenue. Opponents say coal dust, increased noise and traffic are environmental hazards and the negative effects on marine life far outweigh perceived economic benefits.  

The proposal is quite involved and complicated and, in fact, folks on all sides of the issue are speaking out via social media, protests, informational meetings and other means to voice their stance. The scoping period, however, is designed to garner comments specifically on environmental concerns and mitigation. It’s not a time for hashing out the pros and cons of the project, according to Jeannie Summerhays, Regional Director with the Washington State Dept. of Ecology. The public will have an opportunity for that later in the process. 

So if you want to participate and get your concerns on the record and documented, the following information will help address some questions.

QYMLWA 
(Questions You Most Likely Will Ask):

  1. I’m hearing a lot about “Cherry Point,” “the coal port,” “SSA,” “Gateway Pacific,” and “coal trains”? Are these all the same project? Yes. The official name is the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal/Custer Spur projects. SSA Marine, Inc. wants to build and operate a terminal that would handle the storage and exporting of dry goods, including coal. BNSF Railway Inc. proposes to add rail facilities and install a second track along the six-mile Custer Spur. The location is Cherry Point, Washington state, in Whatcom County, 19 miles northwest of the City of Bellingham. The proposal is required to go through federal, state and local reviews. We are entering what’s known as the scoping phase.

  2. What does “scoping” mean? Think of looking through a telescope. You adjust the telescope to encompass less or more in your view.  The scoping process is the same. Based on the public comments, the lead agencies decide how big or small the “scope,” or frame, is for addressing environmental concerns. The public plays an important role in scoping since it’s these comments that help define critical concerns that eventually become part of the Draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). 

  3. What are the dates of the scoping period? Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 to Monday, Jan. 21, 2013; 120 days. 

  4. Who is in charge of approving the GPT proposal? Three groups are working together as co-agencies making sure that federal and state guidelines (NEPA/SEPA) are being followed. It’s Whatcom County (local), the Washington State Dept. of Ecology (state) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (federal). They have created this website to keep the public informed: http://eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/ 

  5. How are the lead agencies keeping track of the scoping comments? Consultant firm CH2M Hill in Bellingham has been hired to manage and organize the scoping comments and to help prepare the EIS. The applicant (SSA Marine) is responsible for paying the consultant bill: $961,703.

  6. I mailed a letter to the county earlier this year explaining why I am against the GPT proposal. Do I need to send that again? Yes. First of all, be sure your comment goes to the correct contact (see below). Also, it may seem like a pain that you have to resubmit however, scoping is designed to be an official period of record so be sure to get your comment in at this time to be documented. Lastly, keep in mind that appropriate comments during scoping relate to environmental impacts, not whether you are for or against coal trains or jobs. 

  7. I live on the East Coast and want to weigh in. Can I make a comment during scoping? Yes. Comments are accepted from anyone located anywhere as long as they address environmental impacts. 

  8. What exactly do I say in my scoping letter? James Wells, a community member who has been sponsoring informational scoping workshops in Bellingham, says an effective letter is specific and raises only one concern, has personal elements addressing how it affects you or your family and uses a constructive tone. Individuals may submit as many letters as they would like. Be sure each one addresses a separate concern. Click here for a sample scoping letter as presented by ProtectWhatcom.org.

  9. Where do I send my comments by email? comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov . It’s a good idea to CC (carbon copy) yourself so you have a record. Go to this link for a user-friendly online template form: http://eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/get-involved/comment/all
     
10. Where do I send a handwritten or typed letter? Mr. Randel Perry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Care of: GPT/BNSF Custer Spur EIS Co-Lead Agencies, 1100 112th Avenue Northeast, Suite 400, Bellevue, Washington 98004.

11.  Where can I speak? You can provide oral comments at any of the public meetings scheduled in the region. The first meeting is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 27, beginning at 11 a.m. at Squalicum High School, 3773 East McLeod Road, Bellingham, Washington 98226-7728. Click here for the entire public comments from the meeting held in Seattle, Thursday, Dec. 13.

12.  Who is available to contact if I have a question on any of this? Mr. Randel Perry with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, email: randel.j.perry@usace.army.mil, by regular mail (above) or by phone: (360) 734-3156. (Note spelling of first name is “Randel.”)


Sources for this article

EIS for GPT/Custer Spur: http://eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/

US Army Corps of Engineers Announcement for Intent to Prepare EIS: 
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/09/21/2012-23301/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-a-joint-environmental-impact-statement-eis-for-the-gateway-pacific

Approximate timeline:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/geographic/gatewaypacific/Spring_We_are_here.jpg

Resources to help craft scoping comments:
http://protectwhatcom.org/eis-scoping/ [scroll down]

How to draft a scoping comment:
http://protectwhatcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/scopingtips2.pdf

Sample scoping letter:
http://protectwhatcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/samplecomment1.pdf

Read about scoping process: http://protectwhatcom.org/eis-scoping/


*the Transparency Report is dedicated to covering stories that involve government accountability, public responsibility, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, transparency and the role of journalism in a democratic society. Jennifer Karchmer serves as Editor.

Copyright Jennifer Karchmer 2012. For reprinting, publishing and linking, contact Jennifer with an email to: jenniferkarchmer@live.com. 
“Decisions are made by those who show up”
(bumper sticker, source unattributed)
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The red line on this map shows the suggested route for shipping coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana to Cherry Point, WA, where the Gateway Pacific Terminal is proposed. Map courtesy of PowerPastCoal.org.



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Wendy Steffensen, lead scientist at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, gives a talk on the history of Cherry Point on Sept. 23. She's seen here speaking at the GPT proposed site where 25 people gathered for an informational community meeting. Half of the group biked from downtown Bellingham to the site (40 miles r/t). Photo: Jennifer Karchmer.
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Howard Garrett, with the Orca Network on Whidbey Island, speaks up for those without voices. "We take Orcas very seriously." Photo: Jennifer Karchmer
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Marine consultant Fred Felleman discusses the importance of forage fish and herring populations, which he says, would be adversely affected by GPT. He points to the ConocoPhillips and Alcoa Intalco Works industries, just south of the proposed GPT site at Cherry Point. Photo courtesy: Kate Voorhees.
Jeannie Summerhays with the Washington State Dept. of Ecology gave a public presentation on March 20, 2012 at Bellingham High School to inform the community about how an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is created. Video provided by CoalFilm

What is scoping? Info, background & definitions 
by Jennifer Karchmer  || the Transparency Report*
Sept. 24, 2012

BELLINGHAM, Wash. –  Are you trying to sift through the alphabet soup (NEPA/SEPA) that makes up the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) proposal? Here is an outline highlighting some valuable resources put out by the Wash. State Dept. of Ecology, one of the lead agencies on the GPT project. You’ll learn what NEPA/SEPA (say "knee-puh, see-puh") means, what is scoping and why your comments are important at this time.

Go to YouTube and locate: “GPT Environmental Impact Statement, Parts 1-5” posted by CoalFilm, a group of Bellingham-based filmmakers volunteering their time to create a documentary of the GPT proposal. 

In her 40-minute presentation (five separate videos), Washington State Dept. of Ecology Regional Director Jeannie Summerhays provides a clear overview of the EIS, the scoping process, the geographic location of the port, public input, how to comment, the agencies involved and expected timelines.

Throughout the videos, Summerhays refers to this PowerPoint. If you’re unable to watch the entire video, I have viewed it several times and provide (below) some notes and highlights for further inquiry.

Part 1: GPT Environmental Impact Statement (runtime 5:08):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yppMkN2m6ms
basic overview, common terms, explanation of NEPA/SEPA.
Highlight (go to 3:13): explains how important the public is to the NEPA/SEPA procedures.

Part 2: GPT Environmental Impact Statement (runtime 6:27):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=0eXWm-LnbDQ&NR=1
geography of the proposal, acres being developed, good visuals and explanation.
Highlight (go to 3:36): who are the lead agencies, how this is a unique situation.

Part 3: GPT Environmental Impact Statement (runtime 12:50):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftcNsdkTfhA&feature=plcp
how NEPA & SEPA work, more good visuals.
Highlight (go to 6:27): steps required in NEPA/SEPA process.
Highlight (go to 10:55): consultant’s role in preparing EIS, who pays, impartiality.

Part 4: GPT Environmental Impact Statement (runtime 7:37):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuIUzTfBPI&feature=plcp
what is scoping? public comment and transparency in the process.
Highlight (go to 1:29): public is invited to provide input.
Highlight (go to 6:28): details of scoping meetings and comments.

Part 5: GPT Environmental Impact Statement (runtime 6:54):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6SwC-1_4o&feature=relmfu
scoping process and public comments.
Highlight (go to 1:22): explains set sequence of steps that must stay in order, individuals and groups must resubmit comments even if sent in earlier.
Highlight (go to 3:12): how to craft your public comments.


Copyright Jennifer Karchmer 2012. For reprinting, publishing and linking, contact Jennifer at jenniferkarchmer@live.com.