Do Whatcom County residents want up to 25 mile-and-a-half long coal trains going through town every day; up to 974 massive ships added to already crowded shipping lanes in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, increasing risks of collisions and spills; two-three hours a day of continual noise, carcinogenic diesel exhaust and traffic congestion; costs for all in lost business; taxpayer dollars for rail upgrades and slower emergency response times near train tracks? Additionally, do we want to drive away desirable potential waterfront businesses? I believe this is what will happen if SSA Marine and Peabody Coal build the largest coal export terminal in North America in Whatcom County.

We need to focus on good jobs at a redeveloped waterfront, thriving local businesses and a fishing and agricultural economy that can provide healthy food globally, but we can't have that future if we are also host to North America's largest coal export terminal.

Make your voice heard during the "scoping" (Environmental Impact Statement public comment period) later this month! Find out more at powerpastcoal.org.

Nancy Steele

Bellingham