Bulk materials port operator Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview (MBTL) has obtained its first permit needed for the Coal Export Terminal from the Washington’s Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning.
With the Critical Areas Permit, issued earlier in July, the Coal Export Terminal project has entered a new phase after more than five-years of evaluation by regulatory agencies.
“Today this project took another significant step forward. We are absolutely delighted to see the agencies begin permit issuance based on their extensive Environmental Impact Statement,” Bill Chapman, MBTL President and CEO, said.
“Our goal of building a state-of-the-art export terminal in Cowlitz County, creating thousands of family-wage jobs and pumping millions in tax revenue into the Washington economy is now closer than ever,” Chapman said, adding that there is more work to do before construction can begin, however “this is a strong start.”
The Critical Areas Permit program has been designed to protect critical areas, including wetlands and fish habitats. The issuance of this Critical Areas Permit indicates that Cowlitz County has approved Millennium’s plans to protect these critical areas.