Although the Gateway Pacific Terminal project faces years of regulatory scrutiny, the coal and bulk cargo pier proposed for Cherry Point faces a key regulatory decision in the next few days: the validity of a 1997 shoreline permit issued by Whatcom County.

In a permit application filed with the Whatcom County Planning Department on June 10, SSA Vice President Skip Sahlin asserts that “we already have a valid Major Development Permit and Substantial Development Permit that would allow us to construct stage 1 of the proposal.”

But Earthjustice, a Seattle environmental law firm, is challenging that contention on behalf of Sierra Club, Climate Solutions, and ReSources for Sustainable Communities, a Bellingham organization in the forefront of opposition to SSA’s plans.

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