Whatcom County starts search for Cherry Point terminal study consultants

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Whatcom County has issued a Request for Proposals for the consultant team to carry out the Gateway Pacific Terminal’s Environmental Impact Statement. SSA Marine will play a part in the selection of the consultants, in mutual agreement with the three agencies overseeing the process–Whatcom County, WA Department of Ecology and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The RFP lists what project impacts, at a minimum, will be studied in the EIS, and includes:
· Impacts to aquatic habitat and species, including listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
· Impacts resulting from fill of wetlands and offsetting wetland mitigation
· Transportation and rail traffic impacts analysis
· Vessel traffic and potential risk of accident and spill on routes to the marine terminal
· Fugitive dust impacts related to bulk materials handling and rail transportation
· Tribal fishing rights and impacts to fisheries
· Air quality impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions
· Impacts to human health
· Impacts to cultural, historical and archaeological resources
· Other issues identified through the Scoping process and in response to comments received regarding the Draft EIS (DEIS).