WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT HEARS VANCOUVER OIL TERMINAL CASE
WHO: The Washington Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about the Port of Vancouver’s controversial lease with Tesoro to construct the nation’s largest oil-by-rail terminal. Tesoro’s oil-by-rail terminal would receive four oil trains per day, similar to the train that derailed and burned in Mosier, Oregon, on June 3, 2016.
WHAT: The Court will decide whether the Port of Vancouver illegally approved the lease without reviewing the oil terminal’s impacts. Columbia Riverkeeper and Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC) are asking the Court to declare the lease null and void.
WHEN: Thursday, June 23, 2016, 9:30AM.
WHERE: Temple of Justice, Washington Supreme Court, 415 12th Ave SW, Olympia, WA.
HOW: Live stream here: http://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2016061139
MORE INFO:
The State Environmental Policy Act requires the Port to evaluate the oil terminal’s impacts on the residents of Vancouver, communities along the oil-train route, and the environment. The Port is also required to disclose these impacts to the public. The Port, however, approved the lease with Tesoro on October 22, 2013, without evaluating or disclosing the impacts. Columbia Riverkeeper and NEDC assert that the Port should have evaluated the final Environmental Impact Statement for the oil terminal before committing to a long-term lease agreement.
Columbia Riverkeeper and NEDC are represented by Brian Knutsen of Kampmeier and Knutsen, Knoll Lowney of Smith and Lowney, and Miles Johnson of Columbia Riverkeeper.
About Columbia Riverkeeper
Columbia Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Representing over 10,000 members and supporters, Columbia Riverkeeper works to restore a Columbia River where people can safely eat the fish they catch and where children can swim without fear of toxic exposure. Columbia Riverkeeper is a member of Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, uniting more than 270 Waterkeeper organizations worldwide. For more information go to columbiariverkeeper.org.
