In my few years of being a Bellingham resident, two things have been exceeding clear about this community. The first is its serious undertaking for the role of environmental stewards. The second is that Bellingham has nice work if you can get it, but you can't hardly ever get it. I thought the article "State needs to take a deep look at coal-export proposals" brings up valid arguments that more information is need about environmental impacts regarding coal-exporting, but I'm doubtful if they are needed in the first place. I believe any coal-exporting at all will harm the environment. Debating if the figures are worth the risk will not eliminate effect. What may not be worth the risk is the employment coal-exporting will bring to the local economy. Most jobs created will be temporary, leaving a limited long term impact on unemployment. While jobs come and go, the natural world around us will remain.

Hannah Carter

Bellingham