HOQUIAM – The City of Hoquiam and the Washington State Department of Ecology have completed the environmental impact statement for the proposed Westway Terminal crude oil expansion project in Grays Harbor. The proposal would expand the existing bulk liquid storage terminal to receive crude oil by train, and store and load crude oil onto tank vessels at the Port of Grays Harbor Terminal 1.

The review identifies impacts stemming from the project proposal, as well as possible mitigation measures.

The study found that the proposed project would cause significant and unavoidable environmental impacts to health and safety if a crude oil spill, fire or explosion occurs. There are also impacts to tribal resources.

The report proposes 69 mitigation measures to offset or reduce environmental impacts from the project, including using newer rail cars, escort tugs in Grays Harbor, adding response equipment caches in key locations, and coordinating spill response training for local responders and tribes.

“We have been committed to a transparent, thorough and impartial process since our work on this proposal began,” says Paula Ehlers, section manager for Ecology. “The conclusions of the final study are similar to the draft, but include responses to all comments received, additional information in some sections, and new proposed mitigation.”

The study is not a permit – it is a comprehensive and factual data resource for those who will make decisions during the permitting process. Ten local and state permits, and 11 federal and state plan approvals will be required for the proposed project. The first permit to be considered will be Hoquiam’s shoreline substantial development permit.

– Washington State Department of Ecology