Tribal concern could alter plan for rail-barge facility

EVERETT — As local officials look to reconcile the Tulalip Tribes' concern for their fishing territory with Boeing's need for a rail-and-barge facility at the Port of Everett, they're considering some new locations.

One option: positioning the rail-barge facility farther south near a future ferry terminal at the former Mukilteo tank farm, one of four suggestions offered by the Tulalips. The facility would be less than a half-mile south of its original proposed location on the Mukilteo-Everett line, and the move would place it within Mukilteo city limits.

The Port has also reviewed the possibility of pointing the facility in another direction rather than extending it northwest into the water, said John Klekotka, the Port's director of engineering and planning. That would present new environmental obstacles, according to engineers' preliminary review.

The Tulalips fish for salmon and harvest crab in a territory that extends from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the U.S.-Canadian border, said Daryl Williams, the tribes' environmental liaison. Earlier this fall, the tribes raised concerns about the facility's potential impact on their territory.

Local officials wrote earlier this month to Gov. Gary Locke and Alan Mulally, the chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stating they had been meeting weekly to resolve development plans and tribal needs simultaneously. The letter was signed by Everett Mayor Frank Anderson, Port of Everett Commission President Phil Bannan, Tulalip Tribes Vice Chairman Stan Jones and Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel.

John Mohr, the Port's executive director, said realigning the pier would not likely require additional public hearings in the near future, raise the project's $16 million cost or significantly alter its development schedule.

Mohr said Berger/Abam Engineers in Federal Way is reviewing recommended locations.

Construction has not begun on the rail-barge facility, but Mohr said he'd like to see it built by late 2005 or early 2006. Boeing officials have told the Port they would like to begin using it in March 2006.

Jane Hodges: 425-745-7813 or jhodges@seattletimes.com