TERMINAL 5: Next phase of in-water pile work starts Monday

Next Monday, the next phase of in-water work starts at the Terminal 5 modernization project in West Seattle. The window when this work is allowed – meant to reduce the effects on fish – opens on Sunday (August 15th), but port spokesperson Peter McGraw tells us the work will actually begin on Monday. “Initial work activities will be vibratory toe wall pile driving in the north berth and vibratory pile extraction in the south berth.” The work window is open until February 15th; the first modernized berth at T-5 is expected to open in January. The port’s alert notes that “the City of Seattle Noise Ordinance limits construction activities, including vibratory pile driving, to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays and between 9 a.m. 10 p.m. weekends and legal holidays. The City of Seattle further limits Impact pile driving to between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.” There may be Sunday work along the way, but the port promises that will be preceded by additional community notification.

4 Replies to "TERMINAL 5: Next phase of in-water pile work starts Monday"

  • For orca mammas August 12, 2021 (4:46 pm)

    I wonder what hours would be best for orcas

  • bridger August 13, 2021 (12:31 am)

    There is most likely marine mammal monitoring in progress before and during the work. If whales are seen in the Elliott Bay area, work is stopped. MMM is required by federal law and was in effect for projects such as the Elliott Bay Seawall Project (observers were on site and in West Seattle and Magnolia).  General overview of MMM: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/endangered-species-conservation/guidance-developing-marine-mammal-monitoring-plan and more detail: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/endangered-species-conservation/esa-section-7-consultation-tools-marine-mammals-west. In addition, the Port’s permit likely requires third-party hydro-acoustic monitoring, and it may also require underwater sound attenuation measures. Meanwhile, the in-water work window is in place to protect endangered fish such as the Chinook salmon that orcas eat: the window is when spawning or incubating salmonids are least likely to be present.

    • For orca mammas August 15, 2021 (9:42 am)

      Language such as ‘most likely,’ ‘if whales are seen,’ and ‘it may require,’ just are not strong enough when speaking of these critically endangered resident species.

      Would like to hear in the ports regular communications, exactly what they are doing with concern to salmon and orca.

      The pre-existing concern level and measures are clearly not enough, since these species continue to decline.

      Recently a male member of orca k pod has disappeared, and is believed to have died from starvation.

  • Mike August 13, 2021 (8:07 am)

    Your property tax dollars ar work.

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