Wash. accepting feedback on crude oil-by-train expansion projects

The Washington Department of Ecology and the city of Hoquiam are now accepting public comments on draft Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for Grays Harbor County’s Westway and Imperium crude oil-by-rail expansion projects, which were released on Monday.

“The draft studies evaluate impacts and risks, and now it’s time for the community to review and offer their perspective,” Ecology Southwest Regional Section Manager for Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Paula Ehlers said.

The projects’ EIS will be used at the local, state and federal level for permitting decisions once finalized. They analyzed rail traffic, noise and vibration, vessel traffic, vehicle traffic and safety, and the risks and potential impacts of spills, fires and explosions.

“The partnership between [the Department of] Ecology and the City of Hoquiam brings together the local knowledge and state perspective to form a thorough consideration of impacts,” Hoquiam City Administrator Brian Shay said.

The public comment period is an expanded 60 days, ending on Oct. 29. During the period, the Department of Ecology will host two public hearings, on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 in Elma and Aberdeen, respectively.