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Co-leads: Whatcom County, Ecology, Corps

Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Ecology and Whatcom County will conduct a coordinated environmental review of the Pacific International and BNSF applications under the  National Environmental Policy Act  (NEPA) and the  State Environmental Policy Act  (SEPA ).

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Co-leads: Whatcom County, Ecology, Corps

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  1. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Ecology and Whatcom County will conduct a coordinated environmental review of the Pacific International and BNSF applications under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). • The agencies have determined that the proposed export terminal and associated rail expansion require an environmental impact statement (EIS). The lead agencies are responsible for identifying and evaluating how the proposed project would affect the environment. Ecology will ensure that the environmental reviews consider potential statewide effects of the project.

  2. Co-leads: Whatcom County, Ecology, Corps • – Integrate the review process, avoiding duplication of effort and providing comprehensive review • – Collaborate and issue combined NEPA/SEPA documents

  3. Co-lead Agencies • Whatcom County • Reviews project for compliance with SEPA • Administrative lead for SEPA review • Ecology • Ensures regional and statewide effects are addressed • Corps • Reviews project for compliance with NEPA • Administrative lead for NEPA review

  4. NEPA/ SEPA Ensures environment is considered before decisions are made • Provides an impartial discussion of: • Probable significant environmental impacts • Reasonable project alternatives, including “no action” • Measures to avoid or minimize impacts • Informs agencies about the likely environmental consequences before they make decisions (such as issuing permits or adopting plans)

  5. Where are they in the process • Application submitted to Corps – Corps made determination of significance • Co-lead agreement • Selecting contractor • Application submitted to county – will be reviewed

  6. Next Steps • County determines if application is complete • Co-leads issue notices to start scoping and the environmental impact statement process • Scoping process and public meetings begin

  7. Scoping • What is scoping? • Determines the focus or “scope” of the subsequent review • Invites public, agency and tribal comments • Identifies impacts to consider • Identifies alternatives and reasonable mitigation measures • Identifies specific studies, surveys and methodologies for analysis

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