I am writing to support the recent request from the Lummi Nation to deny the Army Corps of Engineers permit for the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point. The coal export facility cannot be built without having major adverse impacts upon the Lummi Nation's treaty rights, fisheries, and way of life. Additionally, our health, waterways, and children's future are threatened by North America's largest proposed coal export terminal.
I believe that our government should always keep its word: we promised the Lummi and other tribes that we would protect their fishing rights, and we cannot break that promise. Because these impacts to the Lummi Nation's treaty right to fish cannot be mitigated, this project should be abandoned.
I therefore ask you as my Senator and my Member of Congress to contact the Army Corps of Engineers' leadership and make certain that they uphold Lummi Nation's treaty right to fish the waters of the Salish Sea -- and take appropriate actions to end the project. It has become increasingly obvious that its economic, cultural and environmental costs are too great.
Why is this important?
Exporting coal off the coast of Washington is a bad idea, period. But right now, there’s a proposal on the table to build a coal export terminal in the Salish Sea. Not only would this terminal threaten our health and contribute to climate change, it would also threaten fisheries that the Lummi Nation have used for over a thousand years.
Earlier this month, the Lummi sent a powerful message to the Army Corps of Engineers, asking them to deny the permit and honor the Lummi’s treaty rights. We stand with the Lummi Nation and join them in asking the Army Corps to honor these treaty rights and stop this destructive project. Please email your representatives today and ask them to call on the Army Corps to oppose this project.
