TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION: One more approval

The city’s latest Land Use Information Bulletin brings notice of one more approval for the port’s Terminal 5 modernization project – this time, from the state Department of Ecology, allowing installation of a sheet pile wall as part of the project. This comes two weeks after key city approvals for the project, and it means the clock is ticking for anyone interested in appealing these approvals – the latest notice says you have until May 4th, and explains how. The port, meantime, has not yet finalized how it will fund the project, but is expected to make that decision later this year.

4 Replies to "TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION: One more approval"

  • Jim April 18, 2017 (8:59 pm)

    Take a look at pages 13 and 14  of that  SDCI decision, and you will understand why the push for more Shore Power utilization.  You will be breathing those PM2.5 particles that you can’t even see.  And so will the workers at the Terminal.  West Seattle has been way too passive on this project.

    http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/AttachmentProject3019071ID81943019071.pdf

    In consultation with SDCI, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency found the following:  that implementation of the Terminal 5 expansion will lead to air pollution emissions including fine particle pollution (PM2.5) and diesel particulate matter (DPM) from diesel exhaust, a subset of PM 2.5.  These pollutants are associated with adverse health effects.  This is particularly true for sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.  The Terminal 5 expansion and resulting emissions will occur near highly impacted communities in the Duwamish Valley that currently face: the highest chronic levels of harmful PM2.5 and diesel pollution across the Puget Sound region, elevated rates of adverse health outcomes such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiac illness, and socioeconomic barriers. 
     
    Decades of health studies reinforce that exposures to PM2.5 cause a number of poor health outcomes.  Long-term fine particle exposure causes cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, respiratory effects (asthma and respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function), and increased mortality rates (both cardiovascular and respiratory related). 
     
    Health studies show health adverse health impacts in populations at levels below EPA’s national ambient air quality standards for PM2.5.  The most recent EPA assessments of health impacts from air pollution apply a health impact function for fine particle pollution without a threshold level.  These assessments show health benefits in populations where fine particle pollution is reduced, even at levels below EPA’s national ambient air quality standards.
     
    Diesel exhaust and DPM are known to cause cancer.  Diesel exhaust is rated by the World Health Organization as a group 1 carcinogen.   Exposure to diesel exhaust leads to additional potential cancer risk, as demonstrated by previous study in the Duwamish Valley.  Exposure to diesel exhaust can also contribute to reproductive and developmental health effects.  EPA does not have national ambient air quality standards for diesel exhaust or DPM.  

  • NativetoSeattle April 18, 2017 (9:51 pm)

    Thank you, Jim! I will definitely be taking a close look and submitting my comments. If we look at how far  those pollutants travel, we should be able to get any schools, daycares, and community centers to help spread the word and submit comments. I believe it’s important to identify where vulnerable, nearby populations are and then make that known. From other experiences, I know when the health and impact on children is raised, there have been quicker responses. There is no reason these ships should not have to use shore power. 

  • Jim April 18, 2017 (10:24 pm)

    Unfortunately, there are no more comment periods.  The City has now made it’s permit decision to allow this to happen. 

    If there is no appeal by May 4th, this phase is over.

    Then we will have to “ask” the Port Commissioners to do the right thing and put maximum Shore Power into the lease that isn’t written yet.

    Do spread the word about what they are planning to do.  

  • Dale April 19, 2017 (3:57 am)

    Plus, these mega ships that are being touted are not being built. There is an overcapacity of shipping capacity by at least 20%, rates have been slashed over the last 18 months. This is like the Triumph TR7, the shape of things that never came. 

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