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Port evaluates impactof Blair-Hylebos project

By Meghan Erkkinen

Tacoma Weekly
merkkinen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: November 20, 2008

The Port of Tacoma has released a report about the effects of the Blair-Hylebos terminal redevelopment on the local environment.

The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) outlines the effects construction and operation of the Blair-Hylebos Peninsula has on the earth, air quality, water quality, plants and animals, environmental health, noise pollution, transportation and land use, among other factors.

The port is taking public comment on its findings about what impacts the project will have through the end of the month. Then, staff members will take those comments into account when revising the EIS and issuing a final statement.

The report takes into account the impact of the 600-acre redevelopment project on the Blair-Hylebos Peninsula. The project will include several elements, including the relocation of Totem Ocean Trailer Express to a new terminal, the construction of a new terminal for NYK Line, the widening of the waterway, and other terminal, infrastructure and habitat improvements.

The EIS includes all the proposed actions that would have an effect on the environment, and outlines the impacts those actions might have. The statement also includes alternative courses of action that would result in different impacts. The EIS also includes the port’s plans to mitigate the impacts.

A public hearing Nov. 17 resulted in few oral comments. One of the speakers, Leslie Rose, a senior policy analyst for Citizens for a Healthy Bay, said she has been following the development for some time.

Rose expressed concern over the port’s construction schedule and the schedule for cleanup of the Occidental Chemical site, which she said do not align.

“Our major concern is that at present the port’s construction schedule and the remedial action schedule for the Occidental Chemical site are in conflict,” she said. “The port’s construction schedule calls for having the site built out about eight months before EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) anticipates making a decision on what corrections will be necessary at Occidental.”

She also expressed concern that the EIS did not take into account habitats that were outside the construction zone, but that would be impacted nonetheless.

“In some instances the port’s EIS does that very well. In some instances, like adjacent habitat areas, it fell through the cracks,” Rose said. “When you’re doing a document this big with this large of an area, it would be very unusual to hit all of the nails on the head the first time out.”

Overall, though, she said the project is well done and a good use of the land.

“When you really look at the port management area, this is a very logical use of the land,” Rose said. “We really do look forward and have been working with the port and the agencies to help come up with a win-win-win situation in this.”

She also noted that NYK Line would be a great addition to the Tacoma area.

“(With) their environmental programs and their leadership, they’re one of the best performers in the maritime industry,” Rose said. “These are the kinds of corporations and industries that we really want doing business in Tacoma.”

The port will accept public comments until Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. Then, staff members will evaluate the comments and adjust the EIS as necessary before releasing a final EIS early next year.

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