Environmental groups are blasting a decision this week by Oregon’s Department of State Lands, because it could open the door to controversial export facilities in Coos Bay.
Oregon officials say they have never approved such a large dredging project in an estuary.
“ We did look at the projects that the port had tried to establish, or the relationships that the port had tried to establish with customers over the last several years – and the fact that they were unable to do that because they did not have the kinds of port facilities that were needed to accommodate those shippers “, said State Lands’ director, Louise Solliday .
The Coos Bay port still has substantial federal and state hurdles to clear before it could build anything.
[mappress]
Dredging Today Staff, December 26, 2011;