Worried about Gateway Pacific

Approximately 25 years ago my dad and I got to tour Roberts Banks coal port in B.C. When coal trains arrive they are not unhooked, they are turned over and dumped. Then coal is ground to smaller than a dime; then dumped in enormous piles until ships come in.

Three years ago I met three Canadian Longshoremen who worked at Roberts Banks. They said that there are about 35 longshoremen that handle all the of the coal. Another said they felt sorry for the downwinders (those people that live in the area). Every day they find coal dust all over every thing. The coal is so fine it is pumped on to the ships. All the longshoremen are required to wear respirators because of the fine dust.

During construction of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal there may be 200 jobs, but I believe during operations there will be only about 35 longshoreman (most of them would be out of Everett or Seattle) to handle the coal. And the train crews will be Burlington Northern employees.

For local people, Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, Ferndale and Lummi, will be the downwinders because of the way the wind blows.

I believe few if any dollars will be spent in Whatcom County.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Worried about Gateway Pacific."