Thursday, June 11, 2015

Opinion: The Takeover of Grays Harbor by the Fossil Fuel Industry

 

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

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