Critical Vote on Coal Export Tonight!

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Comment by David MacLeod on March 15, 2011 at 4:06pm

Thanks to those sharing the latest news that this item has been pulled from the agenda of tonight's meeting. Still, it wouldn't hurt for you to call, email, or speak in the public comment time at tonight's meeting, about your thoughts on the coal trains.

 

Here's the notice:

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL

 

AGENDA REVISION FOR MARCH 15, 2011

(DISTRIBUTED AT11:30 A.M. ON MARCH 15, 2011)

 

 

THE ITEM BELOW HAS BEEN PULLED FROM THE AGENDA

 

 

PLEASE ADD TO COUNCIL, OTHER ITEMS:

 

3.       Resolution encouraging industrial investment in the region’s economic vitality (AB2011-115)

  - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

From Climate Solutions:

 

Just what does this project mean for our community?  Read the factsheet.

• Coal dust – lot’s of it:  According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), coal dust has been shown to cause bronchitis, emphysema, and black lung disease.
  • Trains and their noise: Moving 48 million tons of coal per year would mean an additional eight to nine, mile-and-a-half long coal trains rolling through Bellingham’s waterfront every day.

 

• Degradation of Puget Sound: According to the proponents public documents, they intend to fill-in 141 acres of wetlands, have sited possible impacts on 12 species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act including Bull trout, Marbled Murrelet, Chinook salmon, Steelhead trout, Coho salmon, Humpback whale, Orcas, Steller sea lion, Leatherback sea turtle, Bocaccio, Canary rockfish, and Yelloweye rockfish. Plus, the site is directly in the path of a once robust herring grounds, the Cherry Point Pacific herring. These herring are the primary food source for endangered spring Chinook, once the primary food source for imperiled orcas in Puget Sound.

 

• A wrench in Bellingham’s waterfront vision: The noise, pollution and traffic congestion from mile-long coal trains rolling through Bellingham’s waterfront could undermine the city’s $2 billion Waterfront Redevelopment Project, which seeks to attract new investors, businesses and residents willing to pay premium prices for condominiums, office space and marina slips along Bellingham’s spectacular waterfront.

 

• Significant contribution to climate change:  48 million tons of coal burned in China, means over 86 million tons of global warming pollution a year contributing to climate change.

 

This is a lot of bad news for our community – make your voice heard. 

 

           

Joëlle Robinson

Field Director, Climate Solutions

Phone: (206) 443-9570 x29

Cell: (206) 351-5646

joelle@climatesolutions.org

www.climatesolutions.org

@climatesolution

http://www.facebook.com/climatesolutions

Comment by Jamie Jedinak on March 15, 2011 at 3:15pm

I just received an email stating that it has been cancelled for this evening...

Comment by peggy borgens on March 15, 2011 at 2:27pm

thank goodness for our community....go to comments and find the lastest development here.....

 

http://getwhatcomplanning.blogspot.com/2011/03/ides-of-march-and-tr...

Comment by dan welch on March 15, 2011 at 12:54pm

Council member, Carl Weimer, still encourages community members to come tonight and speak on the issue to nip it in the bud

Comment by dan welch on March 15, 2011 at 12:50pm

This issue has been pulled from the county council's agenda for the evening. 

please call and confirm. They are counting the pro/con numbers.

 

(360) 676-6690

 

dan