Public comment sought on Grays Harbor oil-by-rail projects

Draft copies of environmental impact statements for the proposed Westway and Imperium crude-oil-by-rail expansion projects in Grays Harbor have been released by the state Department of Ecology and the city of Hoquiam.

The documents include a variety of impacts, including rail noise and traffic, and risks of potential spills and explosions, according to a news release.

The projects are separate, but they were studied together. The studies and feedback on them will be used in permitting decisions about the proposed projects.

“Now it’s time for the community to review and offer their perspective,” Paula Ehlers, shorelands and environmental assistance section manager of Ecology’s Southwest Regional Office, said in the news release.

The public has 60 days to comment on the draft statements. Public hearings and open houses are scheduled for 1-9 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Satsop Business Park, 150 Technology Lane, Elma, and 1-9 p.m. Oct. 8 at the D&R Theater, 205 S. I St., Aberdeen. Presentations about the studies will begin at 1 and 5:30 p.m., and the open houses and hearings officers will be available throughout both days.

Comments also can be submitted through Oct. 29 at tinyurl.com/pjfr48f or mailed to Westway and Imperium Terminal Services Expansion Projects EISs, c/o ICF International, 710 Second St. Suite 550, Seattle, WA 98104.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Public comment sought on Grays Harbor oil-by-rail projects."