Please join us and other North Idaho Residents for a Public Forum on potential coal transport through our community. 

On March 1st, North Idaho residents will gather to learn about the impacts of coal export trains on our region.  Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper and the Sierra Club are sponsoring the event to inform the public of coal export proposals in Washington that would have local impacts on Bonner County and the City of Sandpoint in particular. Please join us! 

 

Coal companies are threatening to transport tens of millions of tons of coal from mines in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, through Sandpoint, and on to export terminals in Washington.  Ultimately, the coal is destined for foreign markets, primarily in China.

 

The coal export terminals proposed in Washington would draw 50 to 66 or more 1.5 mile long open coal trains a day through communities in Bonner County, each powered by five diesel engines.  Local residents are concerned about the environmental, health, safety, and economic impacts of these projects.  These include: diesel pollution and coal dust from uncovered train cars degrading water quality, airborne pollutants which are linked to asthma and lung cancer; the high risk of coal train derailments; noise and property devaluation; and increased traffic hindering emergency response and limiting access to neighborhoods and businesses.

 

Forum Panelists: 

• Bonner County Sheriff - Daryl Wheeler
• San Juan Co., WA Health Officer and Asst. Prof. at University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. - Frank James, M.D. 
• Small Business Owner and Farmer - Walter Kloefkorn
• Lake Pend Oreille WATERKEEPER - Shannon Williamson, Ph.D.
• Spokane RIVERKEEPER - Bart Mihailovich 

When:    

 

Thursday, March 1st 2012, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  Doors open at 5:30pm

 

Where:   

The Panida Little Theater, 300 N. 1st Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864.