Fruit Valley is a fantastic example of a beautiful residential community thriving in the midst of heavy industrial neighbors. Unfortunately, unless there are significant changes to the Tesoro-Savage oil terminal proposal, this particular project probably cannot coexist with the waterfront. There could be at least 10 trains traveling per day with toxic crude (five coming, five going). Some trains may have already been involved in explosive derailments and spills elsewhere. The waterfront development is downwind from where the Tesoro-Savage terminal could release hundreds of pounds of toxic fumes every day. Lest we forget, it was a Tesoro refinery that killed seven people in Anacortes less than four years ago. Who would choose to open a coffee shop or buy a condo or have their office next to that?
The current oil train proposal will destroy the livability of the waterfront project and any other neighborhood it goes through unless there are major changes to promote safety and reduce its impact.
Eric LaBrant
Vancouver
