Enviro Impact Statement (EIS) & Permits
This page lists the status of the EIS and permits issued
to the best of our knowledge. For further details please
see timeline on the NEWS & ARCHIVES page.
~~~ 2021 ~~~
~~~ 2020 ~~~
- WA Dept. of Ecology released final second supplemental environmental impact statement (Docs: FSSEIS | Appendix 1 | Appendix 2) on Dec. 21, 2020.
- U.S. Federal court, the Western District court, vacated Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 / Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit on Nov. 23, 2020, thus voiding two key federal permits previously granted by the Army Corps of Engineers needed for the construction of the project. In a further blow to NWIW, Port of Kalama's Motion for Reconsideration was denied on Dec. 9, 2020. The federal judge refused to reconsider his order vacating federal permits. The Corps of Army Engineers must conduct full EIS (which could take a year) and include Kalama lateral pipeline in their GHG assessment. A big legal victory for our side!
- WA Dept. of Ecology released draft second supplemental environmental impact statement (DSSEIS) on Sept. 2, 2020, starting a 38-day public comment period that included four audio-only "virtual" hearings. Documents, preliminary findings, and FAQS provided by Ecology at https://ecology.wa.gov/kalamamethanol. This page includes Ecology's presentation at the hearings as a PowerPoint and Video and (not very accurate) transcripts of the public's comments given orally during hearings.
- FERC granted third extension to Williams NW Pipeline in April 2020 meaning local residents under eminent domain threat are stuck for another two years. Williams now has until April 11, 2022, to "construct the facilities and make available for service the Kalama Lateral Project". NOTE: All related documents including the comments FERC received are publicly available on the (very finicky) FERC website >> Documents & Filings (top navigation bar) >> elibrary >> docket search using docket number CP15-8.
~~~ 2019 ~~~
- WA Dept. of Ecology found County/Port's SEIS incomplete and inadequate on Nov. 11, 2019. Ecology’s letter to Cowlitz County and the Port of Kalama indicating their intent to undertake a second supplemental environmental impact statement (a.k.a. SSEIS). By refusing to provide the specific information Ecology had requested in their Oct. 9 letter, the County and Port left Ecology no choice but to take the EIS review on themselves. This process, in order to be fair and thorough, could take about a year.
- Cowlitz County responded to Dept. of Ecology on Nov. 4, 2019, by basically reiterating what they had already submitted.
- Washington Dept. of Ecology halted their review of key shorelines permits on Oct. 9, 2019, and remanded FSEIS back to Cowlitz County for additional information. Two key issues of concern that are deemed inadequate: GHG emissions analysis [App A | App B] and GHG mitigation plan [App C].
- Cowlitz County completed review of FSEIS on Sept. 11, 2019 and re-approved the two key shorelines permits.
- Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) granted 18-month extention to air discharge permit on Sept. 10, 2019. NWIW must now commence construction by March 4, 2021.
- Final Supplemental EIS released Aug. 30, 2019. See SEPA site for all EIS-related docs.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit for Kalama Methanol Dock April 1, 2019, prior to final accepted EIS.
~~~ 2018 ~~~
- Dept. of the Army Environmental Assessment and Statement of Findings dated Jan. 18, 2019. (Note: An E.A. is much less detailed and comprehensive than an E.I.S. and does not allow for public comment.)
- Draft Supplemental EIS released Nov. 13, 2018. Hearing on Dec. 13. Public comment period open until Dec. 28.
- Cowlitz County superior court upholds state SHB decision to invalidate shorelines permits, May 8, 2018. Confirms NWIW must write a SEIS that includes complete cradle-to-grave GHG emissions analysis. However, also re-instates shorelines SDP and CUP permits pending approved FSEIS.
~~~ 2017 ~~~
~~~ 2016 ~~~
~~~ 2014-2015 ~~~
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