For Immediate Release
January 14, 2008
Carolyn Casey, Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500
Timeline for Public Comment on Environmental Study Extended to March 10
[Bellingham, Wash.] The Port of Bellingham announced today that the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for The Waterfront District project will be extended to March 10, 2008. This allows for a 60-day comment period on the draft study, rather than the required 30-day period. Both the Port and the City, as well as some members of the public, had requested that the Port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official Andrew Maron extend the comment period because of the length and complexity of the document.
Because of the extended comment time, the Port also rescheduled the public hearings on the DEIS. The hearings now will be on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, from 1-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to closing at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue.
For information about how to download or get a copy of this report click here.
This environmental analysis will be used by the port and City of Bellingham in the coming months as they develop a master plan and development agreement that will guide long-term redevelopment of the project site. Based upon preliminary DEIS findings -- particularly those regarding traffic impacts -- the port and city will recommend modifications to the Draft Framework Plan, which was adopted by the Port Commission and City Council in 2006 as the basis for preliminary site planning.
In addition to the public hearings, people can submit written comments by March 10, to the port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) official Andrew Maron via email at or by regular mail to:
Andrew Maron
SEPA Responsible Official
Port of Bellingham
PO Box 1677
1801 Roeder Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98227-1677
This approximately 1,300-page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) measures potential environmental impacts for development in The Waterfront District at a range of densities over a 20-year period.
Although the full document is lengthy, the first chapter is a summary of all of the environmental findings. The remaining chapters look more in-depth at each of the 14 areas of study.
The DEIS analyzes a range of future development alternatives for the site over two time periods (2016 and 2026). The alternatives include high, medium and low density redevelopment under mixed use zoning, in contrast to continued use as an industrial site.
Although each density analysis forecasts acreage for parks or certain transportation improvements, the port and city expect to "mix and match" elements from each of the alternatives in the final master plan, based upon information learned from the DEIS.
After the written comment period ends on March 10, 2008, the port will prepare and issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Final EIS will include responses to comments received on the DEIS.
The draft environmental analysis can be reviewed and downloaded at the Port's web site under Latest News at: www.portofbellingham.com or by clicking here. The document includes a detailed summary of the environmental findings in Chapter One. The website also will have a fact sheet description of the DEIS.
Copies of the draft environmental study are available for review at the following locations:
• Bellingham Central Library, 210 Central Ave.;
• Port of Bellingham, 1801 Roeder Ave.; and,
• City of Bellingham, Planning Office, 210 Lottie St.,
A limited number of printed copies may be purchased at the Port of Bellingham's Administrative Office at 1801 Roeder Avenue. The purchase price is $120 per set (Volumes 1 and 2) to cover printing costs.
Persons interested in receiving a copy of the DEIS on CD (no charge) should contact Brenda Tate at 360-676-2500 or by e-mail at: brendat portofbellingham.com .
-30-
