The Coyote Island Terminal is a coal export project proposed by Ambre Energy at the Port of Morrow in Boardman, Oregon.
Ambre Energy would bring up to 8.8 million tons of coal a year by train from Montana and/or Wyoming to Boardman. The company would store the coal in covered storage buildings at the Port of Morrow before transferring it to barges using an enclosed conveyor system. The barges would then take the coal down the Columbia River to Port Westward in Clatskanie, where crews would transfer it onto ocean-going ships bound for Asia.
DEQ has issued
air quality,
water quality and
construction stormwater permits for the project because, as proposed, they comply with all relevant environmental rules and regulations. The permits went through a rigorous internal review and an extensive public process involving more than 16,500 public comments.
DEQ issues 401 water quality certification
On March 31, 2015, DEQ issued a 401 water quality certification which states that DEQ has reasonable assurance that the project will meet state water quality standards, if Coyote Island Terminal constructs and operates the facility as proposed, and meets all the certifications conditions. The 401 water quality certification includes specific conditions to protect water quality including turbidity monitoring and long-term stormwater treatment.