SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pacific International Terminals, LLC (PIT) issued the following statement today:
PIT expressed astonishment at the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) permit denial for the proposed dry bulk marine terminal project at Cherry Point in Whatcom County. In today’s decision, the USACE determined the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) project had a greater than de minimis – whether impacts rise to the level of legal significance – impact on tribal fishing rights.
“This is an inconceivable decision. Looking at the set of facts in the administrative summary, it’s quite obvious this is a political decision and not fact based,” explained Bob Watters, PIT’s President. Watters continued, “The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted aerial observations during fish openings and for the 13-year period from 2002 – 2014 and sighted only 4 fishing boats within one half mile of the proposed pier location and only 11 fishing boats from one half mile to one full mile from the proposed location. On average that’s only 1.15 boats per year. In addition, the Glosten Vessel Traffic study concluded that vessel traffic associated with the terminal would have a less than 1% (0.11%) impact on tribal fishing. If that isn’t less than de minimis, I don’t know what is.”
“We are very disappointed that the GPT project has become a political target rather than being addressed on the facts. The terminal promises to deliver substantial benefits through economic development, the creation of family-wage jobs, and the generation of significant taxes. The designs call for the terminal to operate at the highest levels of environmental stewardship and meet all federal and state regulations.”
PIT is considering all action alternatives.
