Oil Trains In The Northwest

Draft Environmental Review Released For Oil Terminals On Washington Coast

By Ashley Ahearn (KUOW/EarthFix)
Aug. 31, 2015 10:22 p.m.
A Quinault Indian Nation fishing boat comes in to unload its catch in Grays Harbor, not far from the locations of three proposed oil train-to-ship facilities.

A Quinault Indian Nation fishing boat comes in to unload its catch in Grays Harbor, not far from the locations of three proposed oil train-to-ship facilities.

Ashley Ahearn/KUOW

The Washington State Department of Ecology has just released its draft environmental review of two proposed oil terminals on the Washington coast. A third proposed terminal has not yet begun the environmental review process.

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The terminals could be built in Grays Harbor, near Aberdeen, doubling current vessel and train traffic levels there.

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The state's review found that traffic delays at railroad crossings in the nearby communities of Hoquiam and Aberdeen would increase significantly.

The projects would create almost 150 direct jobs, according to the State's environmental review, though proponents of the terminals provided another economic analysis that suggests closer to 300 jobs.

Local fishing and crabbing groups have joined nearby tribes to raise concerns over risks of an oil spill to the fishing industry.

The public has until Oct. 29 to comment on the state’s environmental review. Two public meetings will be held:

Oct. 1: Satsop Technical Park, Elma, 1-9 p.m.

Oct. 8: D&R Theater, Aberdeen, 1-9 p.m.

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