Public Hearing - EISs for the Proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal ...

11/3/2012
1 Neptune Beach.
2 The prospect of massive single hull
3 bulkers -- the largest ships ever to moor at U.S.
4 ports and measuring four football fields long --
5 navigating through the narrow Rosario and Haro Straits
6 around Orcas Island in all kinds of inclement weather,
7 disturbs me greatly.
8 Some of the significant adverse impacts I
9 respectfully request that you address as part of the
10 EIS include the following.
11 Number one, the risks associated with
12 massive vessels, in this case the Panamax and Capesize
13 vessels, to navigate safely through the narrow Rosario
14 and Haro Straits, and in particular, the numerous
15 NOAA-designated "precautionary areas" around Patos
16 Island; Matia Island; Between Orcas and Lummi Islands;
17 Between Lopez and Fidalgo Islands; Turn Point off of
18 Stuart Island; Beaumont Schoal; and Lawson Reef.
19 Second, the ability of these massive vessels
20 to slow down, change direction, or stop in a timely
21 way in these narrow channels in the event of power
22 loss, collision, or adverse weather events, including
23 relatively common fog and high winds.
24 Third, the environmental and marine clean-up
25 measures that would be required if an accident
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