The Port of Tacoma seeks public comment on the potential environmental impacts of planned Tacoma Tideflats terminal, road, rail and utility infrastructure developments.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement is part of the environmental review process conducted under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

Elements of the redevelopment plans for the Blair-Hylebos Peninsula include:

— Relocating Totem Ocean Trailer Express to a newly developed terminal;

— Building a new container terminal for NYK Line;

— Widening a section of the Blair Waterway;

— Lengthening a wharf at Washington United Terminal;

— Improving road, rail and utility infrastructure;

— Habitat improvements

The draft Environmental Impact Statement is available for review on the Port’s Web site at http://www.portoftacoma.com . Comments on the document must be received by 4 p.m. Dec. 1 to be considered for the final Environmental Impact Statement, to be released in February 2009. Comments may be sent by mail to: ATTN: Matoya Scott, Port of Tacoma, PO Box 1837, Tacoma, WA 98401-1837, or by e-mail to sepa@portoftacoma.com .

Comments also may be submitted at a public hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in Room 104 of The Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road in Tacoma. Staff from the Port’s Sustainable Development department will be available in an open house format for the first half hour to discuss various aspects of the project. Project managers are scheduled to deliver a short presentation at 5:30 p.m. and take public comment immediately afterward.