Description of Proposal: The Port of Seattle proposes to regrade a narrow shoal which has developed parallel to the east side of Pier 91. If unaddressed, the shoal will impact cruise vessel use of the berth. The work will include excavating and repositioning 280 cubic yards of material to adjacent deeper water using a clamshell bucket and barge derrick. Work is anticipated to take approximately 8 hours to complete and will be undertaken during the authorized in-water construction period for Elliott Bay. The work will be included as an interim action under an amended cleanup order from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Location of Proposal: Port of Seattle Terminal 91 is located in Smith Cove at the north end of Elliott Bay in Puget Sound. Section, Township, Range for project is NE 26 25 03 and latitude is 47.62750 degree N and long is 112.381944 degree W. The site address is 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, WA 98119.
Lead Agency: Port of Seattle (SEPA File Number 15-12)
Determination: The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. As such, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under the provisions of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (RCW 43.21, WAC 197-11) and Port of Seattle SEPA Policies and Procedures (Port Commission Resolution 3650). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information which is available upon request. Any action to set aside, enjoin, review, or otherwise challenge such action on the grounds of noncompliance with the provisions of Chapter 43.21C RCW (State Environmental Policy Act) shall be commenced within 21 days from the date of last newspaper publication of the notice or be barred.
Supporting Information: Information used to reach this determination, and applicable State laws and Port of Seattle policies, regulations, and procedures are available for public review at the Port of Seattle office, at the Maritime Environmental Dept., Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle. The document is also available for review at: http://www.portseattle.org/Environmental/Environmental-Documents/SEPA-NEPA/Pages/default.aspx.
Public & Agency Comment: The DNS and Environmental Checklist for this project circulated on October 26, 2015, and the comment period ended November 10, 2015. The Port received no comment letters during the comment period. The Port has concluded that no significant negative environmental effects will result from the proposed underwater regrading at Terminal 91/Pier 91. The Port’s Final DNS is being issued, as of the date below, based on the final determination of no significant environmental impacts.