Most shipments would be destined for export to Pacific Rim countries, which means that, unlike Long Beach which has the open Pacific Ocean as its back yard, Puget Sound and British Columbia vessels will be queuing up to transit the relatively narrow Strait of Juan de Fuca. Of more immediate concern during the permitting process is the wholesale destruction of tidal and nearshore habitat construction will bring to the Whatcom shoreline. Several Whatcom County groups like North Cascades Audubon and ReSources are challenging the facility's shoreline permit. People For Puget Sound entered its objections on the grounds that the area of the proposed development contains critical and sensitive wildlife and fishery resources and habitat. The area is within the most important herring spawning area in the state.
Herring is an important food item for porpoises, seals, sea birds and larger fish.
In addition, the area is heavily used by birds, all species of salmon, and marine mammals. It is also a popular recreational destination for people. The development as planned may damage water quality during construction. Once constructed, the facility's operations may harm salmon, birds, crabs and herring by spills of fuel and cargo from increased vessel traffic, by pollutants in stormwater runoff, and by disrupting intertidal and subtidal habitat such as eelgrass and herring spawning beds. All rights reserved.