By Mark Edward Nero
The 30-day public comment period opened May 23 for the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s proposed modifications to marine cargo facilities at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5.
The proposed modifications include berth deepening, dock strengthening and power upgrades to handle larger cranes.
“The Northwest Seaport Alliance needs to make Terminal 5 ‘big ship ready’ to remain competitive in today’s global economy,” Alliance co-chair and Port of Tacoma Commission President Connie Bacon said.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma governed jointly by the commissions of the two ports.
The Port of Seattle, as lead agency under the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement on the project.
The environmental review will evaluate potential impacts to earth, air, water, plants, animals, energy and natural resources, environmental health, noise, aesthetics – including light and glare, historic and cultural resources, transportation and public services.
“Modernizing Terminal 5 will allow us to keep good paying middle class jobs in our region,” NWSA co-chair and Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton said. “We encourage the public to weigh in over the next 30 days with their comments about the proposed improvements.”
Public comments on the Draft EIS are being accepted from May 23 to June 21.
For tips on commenting, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Citizen’s Guide to SEPA Review and Commenting at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sepa/citizensguide/citizensguide.htm
The Draft EIS is available online at three locations:
http://www.portseattle.org/Environmental/Environmental-Documents/SEPA-NEPA/Pages/default.aspx; http://t5eis.publicmeeting.info; and https://www.nwseaportalliance.com/about/strategic-plan/t5
For more information on the proposed improvements and to comment online, visit http://t5eis.publicmeeting.info. Comments can also be emailed to SEPA.p@portseattle.org.
