Bob Ferris, executive director of RE Sources, an environmentally focused nonprofit, and David Warren, former local labor union official, answered questions from the audience Whatcom Community College’s Syre Auditorium at a forum hosted by the college’s Sustainability Club.

Questions included what the long-term economic impacts were of the project, what environmental effects it would have and how train traffic could be minimized. Audience members expressed concerns about climate change issues as well as the impact increased train traffic would have on Amtrak.

One of the main points of contention was whether the project would be built in Canada if it’s not built in Whatcom County.

Ferris doesn’t believe the increased train traffic would still go through Bellingham if the project at Cherry Point doesn’t come to fruition, but Warren disagreed. Warren said no matter what, the train traffic will come through Bellingham; the question is whether or not Whatcom County will reap the benefits or if the county residents will let the terminal be installed in Canada.

“The long-term impacts of this facility, I think, are enormous,” Warren said.

He said the opening of the terminal, once it is up and running, will create about 2,115 jobs in Whatcom County.

Ferris said although there are some economic benefits, there are also consequences. Train traffic levels would be six times higher than  they are now, which would lower waterfront home desirability, he said.

More jobs could be provided locally with the installation of the terminal, but the potential for coal dust, increased train traffic and barges traveling through areas where there are fisheries could outweigh the economic impact, Ferris said.

He said coal dust would get into the water along the waterfront, creating toxic chemicals that would be critical for animal life.

Warren said he doesn’t think coal dust will be an issue because a glue-like substance is sprayed on the coal before it is transported, hindering the amount of coal dust that comes with the transport. He said the project isn’t about jobs first, but the environment first.

Whatcom Community College student Jennifer Madison said both speakers were a bit obscure when it came to answering the harder, more complex questions. When she walked into the meeting, she thought the project would be a good idea considering the economic benefits it presented; but then by the time she was leaving, she was thinking twice about it due to the environmental impacts, she said.

Increasing train traffic remains a concern for both Ferris and Warren if the coal terminal is built.

Warren said he looks forward to seeing how the traffic would be mitigated, and that a schedule would have to be worked out with Amtrak on how the two can cooperate with each other. Ferris fired back and said Amtrak is the lowest priority on the railroad because the revenues that come from it are much lower than those from freight trains.

Nicholas Schunzel, treasurer of the Whatcom Community College Sustainability Club and moderator of the discussion, said from an environmental standpoint, he is against the project, but he now understands its economic benefits. The final decision doesn’t come down to the people’s choice, he said.

“What citizens are actually able to do is not much more than voice their opinions,” Schunzel said.

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