Army Corps rejects permit for coal terminal at Cherry Point

Lummi drummers.

By Samantha Wohlfeil, Bellingham Herald, May 9, 2016

LUMMI RESERVATION-The proposed coal terminal for Cherry Point is likely dead after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a needed permit Monday, May 9.

The Corps ruled the project would impact the treaty-protected fishing rights of Lummi Nation based on the fact that the proposed trestle and associated wharf would take up 144 acres over water.

“The Corps may not permit a project that abrogates treaty rights,” said Col. John Buck, commander of the Corps’ Seattle District.

Northwest tribes unite against giant coal, oil projects

Beach at Cherry Point, WA where export terminal would be built. Photo by Nicholas Quinlan.

By Lynda V. Mapes, Seattle Times, January 16, 2016 (Updated January 19, 2016)

CHERRY POINT, Whatcom County — On this last bit of undeveloped coast between a smelter and two oil refineries, SSA Marine wants to build the biggest coal export terminal in North America, to load up some of the largest ships afloat arriving up to 487 times a year, mostly from Asian ports.