Tribes prevail, kill proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/tribes-prevail-kill-proposed-coal-terminal-at-cherry-point/The Lummi Nation has prevailed in its fight to block the largest coal port ever proposed in North America, at Cherry Point.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency reviewing permits for the deep water port project, agreed with the tribe Monday that it could not grant a permit for a project that would infringe on the Lummi Nation’s treaty-protected fishing rights.
The 34-page decision was celebrated by community groups and tribes all over the Northwest that opposed the coal port.
The developer, SSA Marine of Seattle, declared the decision “inconceivable” and political, rather than fact-based. Bob Watters, SSA senior vice president and director of business development, said the company was “considering all action alternatives.”
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Lummi hereditary chief Bill James, on the beach at Cherry Point, says saving it is to preserve “the tribe’s very way of life.” It’s the site of an ancient Lummi village. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)
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They recognize we all share the world and share our responsibility to the future generations which will live here.
This is what democracy looks like, people coming together.
The fight will continue, but this is an important victory.
‘Historic Victory for Treaty Rights’: Northwest Tribes Rejoice as Army Corps Rejects Coal Terminal
Gateway Pacific Terminal, proposed by SSA Marine subsidiary Pacific International Terminals, was planned to handle the export of up to 54 million dry metric tons per year of bulk commodities, mostly coal. BNSF Railway Inc. had proposed adding rail facilities adjacent to the terminal site.
The project was opposed by First Nations in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, particularly those who share the Salish Sea. The risk of coal and oil spills was too great, they said, and they contended that coal dust from the railway and terminal would affect the health of marine waters and nearby communities. They also contended that increased shipping would result in substantially increased ballast water discharges, which would introduce invasive species to the local marine environment.
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“We are thrilled with today’s announcement by the United States Corps of Engineers that it is denying the Gateway Pacific Terminal permit at Cherry Point because of the impact it would have on treaty rights,” Quinault Nation President Fawn Sharp said in a statement. She is also president of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.
“It is an appropriate and just decision,” she said. “But everyone who cares about fish and wildlife, the environment and human health should be happy with the Corps’ decision. This is an historic victory for tribal treaty rights as well as for everybody else who lives here. Those who understand the great value of our natural resources to our health and culture, as well as the sustainable economy of the entire region, will applaud today’s announcement.”
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/05/10/historic-victory-treaty-rights-northwest-tribes-rejoice-army-corps-rejects-coal-terminal
Awareness of these issues has been growing. Sadly, part of it is due to the casinos. Many tribes have more money now, which equates to more power. The more money and power is perhaps not a bad thing, but it's kind of sad they had to go that way to get enough political power to get noticed and listened to.
I am humbled. Great photo of the chief at the end of the day. 
