On his blog, www.reuvencarlyle36.com, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne) lauds the scope that the environmental impact statement will have on the proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham.

Carlyle has been a strong opponent of the proposed terminal, which would bring 18 or more trains more than a mile long through downtown Seattle. In Ballard, the trains would go over the Ship Canal on the west side of the Ballard Locks, through Golden Gardens and through Carkeek Park.

In his blog post, Carlyle writes, "My constituents in Seattle, and communities statewide impacted by the proposal, are demanding this serious and in depth level of analysis. This is not about one town or city, one philosophy or policy framework, it is about a systems approach to an international issue. Proponents and opponents should not fear a robust public process and examination."

Specifically, under the EIS, Whatcom County and Ecology will require:

• A detailed assessment of rail transportation impacts in Whatcom County near the project site, specifically including Bellingham and Ferndale.
• An assessment of how the project would affect human health, including impacts from related rail and vessel transportation in Whatcom County.
• An evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from terminal operations, and rail and vessel traffic.

In addition, the Department of Ecology will require:

• A detailed assessment of rail transportation on other representative communities in Washington and a general analysis of out-of-state rail impacts.
• An assessment of how the project would affect human health in Washington.
• A general assessment of cargo-ship impacts beyond Washington waters.
• An evaluation and disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions of end-use coal combustion.

You can read Carlyle's full post here.

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