A Summary of the Presentation by SSA Rep at Edgemoor Neighborhood Meeting
If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend the December 1st presentation regarding the Gateway Pacific Terminal, what follows is a summary based on notes I took. As you might have guessed, it was a “lively” meeting. What came through loud and clear was that the people who asked “questions” (more often statements of position and opinion) were absolutely opposed to the project.
The primary areas of concern seemed to be the following (not in any particular order):
- Impacts from increased train traffic on neighborhoods, property values & access to waterfront areas.
- Impacts from the transport of coal, specifically.
- Environmental concerns ranging from air, water and soil quality to public health.
- Costs of improvements/modifications to rail crossings.
- Potential expansion of the facility beyond its currently anticipated capacity.
- Questions regarding the actual number of local, permanent jobs to be provided.
Rather than attempt to accurately convey the answers given by Craig Cole & Chris Johnson, I am providing links to the printed information they provided. It seems quite comprehensive. If you have more specific questions about what occurred, I strongly urge you to attend one of the many meetings that will continue to be held throughout the county concerning the project.
We have made contact with BNSF, and it looks as though they will provide a speaker to answer questions specifically relating to the railroad. We will be pursuing that possibility after the first of the year.
Terminal Plan SSA’s Answers to Terminal Questions Crosscut Article Response to Health Concerns