Protestors at the last scoping hearing in Seattle on Dec. 13. By Zacahariah Bryan of the Ballard News Tribune
From Crosscut.com
By Floyd McKay
King Coal was not popular Thursday night [Dec. 13] in Seattle as the public meetings to set the scope of environmental review of a proposed coal-export terminal north of Bellingham drew to a close.
Over 2,000 people, heavily tilted toward opponents of the Gateway Pacific Terminal, talked, listened and waved signs before a panel of federal, state and Whatcom County officials charged with deciding what topics will be studied in a lengthy environmental impact process. The session, at the Washington Conference Center, was the largest of seven sessions stretching from Ferndale to Spokane.
Increasingly it zeroed in on the commodity itself — coal, some 48 millions tons to be shipped to Asia each year if the terminal is completed in perhaps five years. Climate change and the health hazards of coal dust from long coal trains were foremost for many speakers.
The Seattle meeting also drew a large representation of Native Americans. Lummi Nation speakers decried what they termed desecration of a burial site under a conveyor system, as well as danger to a traditional fishery. Swinnomish and Cheyenne speakers were also heard.
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, flanked by four city council members, called for environmental review of impacts on SoDo traffic and joined others in urging a broad study of climate change and the burning of coal in Asia.
To read the full story, go to: crosscut.com/2012/12/13/seattle-coal-port-hearing/
