SSA Marine has proposed to build and operate Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point, which would provide storage and handling of exported materials, including coal. BNSF Railway Inc. proposes to add rail facilities to support the project.

Whatcom County, the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are tasked with providing an environmental impact statement for GPT and necessary rail improvements.

Public comment about what impacts should be addressed has been accepted at public meetings, by mail and email since Oct. 27.

Larry Altose from Ecology said more than 9,000 people showed up for the scoping meetings. Almost 12,000 comments have been received with about 4,800 unduplicated comments posted online at eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/get-involved/comment/all.

The Bellingham Herald invited supporters and opponents to provide a sample of comments on both sides that appear in the Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 newspapers.

You can add your comments until Jan. 21 by email at comments@eisgatewaypacificwa.gov or by mail at GPT/Custer Spur EIS, 1100 112th Ave. NE, Suite 400, Bellevue, WA 98004.

For more information about the project, go online to bellinghamherald.com/cargo-terminal.

Reach JULIE SHIRLEY at julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2261.