Opinion: Dredging, Again?
Regarding the 3 oil terminals
proposed for Grays Harbor--Imperium, Westway, U.S Development, --we cannot name
the many deadly risks to The Quinault Nation, nor to all of the people, places
and waters of Grays Harbor County, the entire West Coast. Even with
overwhelming numbers of public comments made to our Dept. of Ecology, to
Governor Inslee, to The City of Hoquiam--comments numbering 20,000 and
more--naming studies, revealing all of the risks: economic, health, safety,
environmental, et al----still our state Dept. of Ecology full steams ahead,
working at compliance for these companies to bring these billions of gallons of
crude oil to our Harbor by mile long trains. Why is that? Why does our Governor
and The Dept. of Ecology, with our legislature, forge ahead, working for the
oil industry--knowing that disaster is imminent?
These Oil Terminal proposals will do
nothing for the people, providing a mere hand full of local jobs, if that.
These 3 oil terminals stand alone, posing more untold threats than any previous
exercise in greed seen in our lifetime here on the Harbor--in this Evergreen
State. As if oil terminals weren't enough to destroy marine resources, we now
have another dredging! Dredging, again? Really?
Directly related to these proposed
terminals, is the insidious plan by Gary Nelson, Port CEO of Grays Harbor,
Patty Murray, U.S Senator and, The Army Corps of Engineers--a 3rd dredging of
Grays Harbor is imminent and approved through a collusion with the U. S.
Government. We can only presume their goal being deeper drafting for oil
related barges and tankers? Although not stated as such!
Seriously--this is being done without a
Marine Resource Study, or consideration of risks? Ultimately these risks
include damages to crab nurseries, fish & shell fish, loss of beds for
oyster growers. Testimony to this affect has been given and noted--not heeded.
No consideration for the untold damage dredging will cause--to all marine life.
Nor noting the effects of the last dredging and subsequent loss of oyster beds
by local growers. That while knowing 33% of Grays Harbor's economy is directly
related to the fishing and shell fish industry.
According to an article in Grays
Harbor County's " East County News," June 2nd, 2015--the dredging is
a go. Even though The Washington State Crab Fishers are opposed, along with The
Quinaults, as well as a coalition of groups looking out for the welfare of
Grays Harbor. All are opposed for good reason. The purpose of the dredging is for
deeper drafting ships. We can only conclude this to mean the oil tankers and
oil barges--the current depth of the harbor seems to be working fine for
current shipping traffic.
Obviously oil terminals, crude oil
by rail, another dredging at The port of Grays Harbor have been in the planning
stages for quite some time--long before the citizenry knew what was coming down
the tracks. Long before the citizenry knew that neither our port, nor our
government have the citizens' interests or well being at heart. This is an
inequitable, true power struggle between "what is good for people"
vs. greed by government/private industry. Everyone, each of us, need to apprise
ourselves of this life changing event called "The Takeover of Grays
Harbor and The State of Washington by the fossil fuel/ oil
industry."
If all oil related proposals for oil
terminals and oil transportation become a reality, Washington State will be
receiving a staggering 1/2 of all U.S oil produced. Yes-1/2 of all U.S oil
through our state. Think about it. Essentially putting us in harms way
for private greed. Will that leave room for any other commodities on the rails
or at our Ports?
As if that's not enough-that's not
all! Now...a rather questionable Oil Refinery is recently proposed for Longview,
located on the Columbia River. Another front in this struggle. Doesn't this
plan fly in the face of all the efforts to "Save our Salmon"? A
glaring paradox in the making...that's another article...another day.
Carol Seaman
Chehalis River
No comments:
Post a Comment