For Immediate Release
Carolyn Casey, Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500 Port Issues Supplemental Environmental Analysis of The Waterfront District Project
Bellingham, WA - Today the Port of Bellingham released a supplement to its earlier draft environmental study, describing the possible impacts of redeveloping a 220-acre portion of the community waterfront redevelopment over a span of at least 20 years. The document is available for public review and comment for the next 30 days. This study is an essential step as the port and city consider rezoning and redeveloping The Waterfront District.
To download a copy of this report click here.
This additional environmental analysis focuses on the Port's Preferred Alternative for the development. The Preferred Alternative is based on the June 10, 2008 "Proposal" which was presented to the public and is also available on the Port's website. The Proposal features a development that -- at full build-out -- has approximately 6 million square feet of building space, 33 acres of new public parks and trails, new downtown marina and restored shorelines, a rotated street grid and extensive sustainable and environmental development techniques.
The Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) also analyzes a road grid option defined by the City, known as the Straight Street Grid Option. The SDEIS and earlier Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) are intended to be reviewed together as a combined package of SEPA documents. To view the DEIS, which was released in January 2008, click here.
The SDEIS includes extensive new view corridor and building height analysis illustrations that will help people visualize the potential development alternatives. The SDEIS narrows the options studied in the earlier draft environmental impact study and will help support the next step in the planning process.
These environmental studies will be used by the port and city of Bellingham as they develop a master plan and development agreement that will guide long-term redevelopment of the project site. Adoption of a master plan by the city and a scheme of harbor improvements by the port will be essential steps in early 2009, if the property is to be rezoned from heavy industrial to mixed use.
A formal public hearing on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Study (SDEIS) will be a 6 p.m., Nov. 6, at the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue.
In addition to the public hearings, people can submit written comments by Nov. 14, 2008, to the port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) official Andrew Maron via email at sepaofficialportofbellingham.com or by regular mail to:
Andrew Maron
SEPA Responsible Official
Port of Bellingham
PO Box 1677
1801 Roeder Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98227-1677
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.
After the written comment period ends on Nov. 14, 2008, the port will prepare and issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Final EIS will include responses to comments received on the SDEIS as well as earlier comments and responses to the DEIS.
The supplemental draft environmental analysis and the earlier DEIS 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.;
• Fairhaven-Carnegie Library, 1117 - 12th St;
• 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. Copies are also available for purchase at the Port of Bellingham in hard copy or are available at no charge on a CD (pdf format). For more information please contact Brenda Tate at (360) 676-2500 or brendatportofbellingham.com.
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