Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike: “Jobs, but at what cost?”

Statement by Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, June 3, 2011

My administration has for months been focused on information gathering about the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point.  While much about this proposal remains unknown or unclear, I am clear today that I need to take a stand: a stand for protecting Bellingham, a stand for health, safety and quality of life, a stand for welcoming new businesses that provide clean jobs to our local communities.

We have examined the benefits proponents say this operation will bring to our community and have considered the risks.  While every resident of this county certainly agrees that more local family-supporting jobs would be a good thing, those same wise locals would also add, “But at what cost?”

View the full document online

http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/1264/1104683/

Mayor’s Office Contact Information

http://www.cob.org/contact/mayor.aspx

Mayor schedules June 1 meeting to collect shipping terminal comments

6 pm

June 1^st

Bellingham Municipal Court

Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike invites members of the Bellingham community to help local officials identify the scope of environmental review for SSA Marine’s proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point.  Pike said his aim is to continue community dialogue and prepare for formal environmental review, which will be conducted by Whatcom County officials once SSA applies for permits.

A meeting hosted by Pike is planned to provide area residents a preliminary chance to identify impacts that should be studied during future review of the proposed project. He said comments collected will be provided to the appropriate regulatory agencies to support a triple-bottom-line approach to reviewing the proposal, considering its environmental, social and economic impacts.

“This is an important decision facing our community, as we try to balance the potential for new jobs and investment in our community with the neighborhood, environmental and other impacts this facility would bring,” Pike said. “I want an accurate assessment of both the positive and negative effects on our community.  We deserve clear answers about the impacts, how negative impacts might be mitigated, and who would pay for that mitigation,” he said.

For More Information, go to the City’s website:

http://www.cob.org/features/2011-03-15-gateway-pacific-terminal.aspx