Gateway Pacific Terminal, which I believe plans to ship 48 million tons of coal yearly, I believe violates all five goals of the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Management Plan: Identify, protect, restore and enhance functions and natural processes of aquatic nearshore and subtidal ecosystems that support endangered, threatened and sensitive species and aquatic resources identified for conservation. Improve and protect water quality to protect public health, support fish and wildlife species and healthy functioning habitats. Protect and help recover indicator fish and wildlife species and habitats, with primary focus on Cherry Point herring, Nooksack Chinook salmon, groundfish, marine mammals, seabird/duck and shorebird communities, Dungeness crab, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Facilitate stewardship of habitats and species by working in cooperation with lessees, tribes, recreational users and resource agencies to minimize and reduce identified impacts of human activities on the species and habitats of the reserve. Identify, respect, and protect archaeological, cultural and historical resources on state-owned aquatic lands.

I believe GPT would also not conform to the Washington Coastal Zone Management Program, which is intended "to ensure the conservation and responsible use of our nation's coastal and ocean resources." I believe proposal decision makers must deny the permit because the significant environmental impacts cannot be mitigated.

Sandy Robson

Blaine