Draft EIS released for Longview coal

Cowlitz County and the Washington Department of Ecology last week published a draft study evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a proposed coal export terminal near Longview. The study is available for public review through June 13.

The 45--day public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement includes three public hearings: May 24 in Longview, May 26 in Spokane, and June 2 in Pasco. Comments may be submitted online and by mail anytime during the comment period.

Millennium Bulk Terminals--Longview is proposing to build and operate a terminal that would handle up to 44 million metric tons of coal annually. The proposed facility would bring in coal from western United States with trains, stockpile it at the facility, and then export the coal by ship to Asia.

The draft study evaluates 23 environmental resource areas using analytical methods and information from multiple studies. The areas include the natural environment, the man--made environment, and transportation.

The study, available at http://www.millenniumbulkeiswa.gov, found the proposed project could have environmental impacts in 21 of the areas – some of them significant. Mitigation that could reduce or offset impacts is also proposed in the study.

The study identifies impacts from construction and operations to water quality, fish and wildlife, groundwater, and the local communities. The study evaluates the possible impacts to rail and vehicle traffic by adding eight loaded trains plus eight empty trains (each 1.3 miles long) daily.

The analysis looks at coal dust, noise, and air quality in Cowlitz County and Washington. It includes the potential impacts to vessel traffic by adding 1,680 new vessel trips each year to the Columbia River. The study identifies air--quality impacts, including greenhouse gas pollution that could happen due to the proposed project.

Cowlitz County and Ecology are co--leading the study, which follows Washington’s State Environmental Policy Act.

Comments can be submitted online, by mail or at the public hearings April 29 through June 13.Website: http://www.millenniumbulkeiswa.gov

Mail: Millennium Bulk Terminals EIS, c/o ICF International, 710 Second Ave., Suite 550, Seattle, WA 98104