Environmental Review Completed for Longview Terminal

Cowlitz County and the Washington Department of Ecology have completed their environmental review for the largest proposed coal export terminal in North America.

“The in-depth report details how the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals project near Longview in Cowlitz County would cause numerous impacts to the environment, local neighborhoods and transportation. It also identifies potential mitigation measures to reduce some, but not all of the impacts,” Ecology said in its release.

The report evaluates 23 environmental areas, with adverse impacts in 19 of them. Impacts include filling wetlands, dredging riverbed, injuring fish and creating pollution from greenhouse gas emissions.

The coal terminal would move 44 million metric tons of coal annually, add 16 more trains daily through the local area, and increase Columbia River ship transits in and out of Cowlitz County by 1,680 annually.

Officially known as the Environmental Impact Statement, the report is not a decision or permit. It uses scientific methods, computer models, and the best available data to provide information and analyses.

The report will be used by the public and the 10 agencies that will consider the more than 20 permits needed for the coal terminal.