The Seattle Times · Aug 1, 2015
Judge rules Shell’s use of Seattle terminal didn’t require environmental review
The much-disputed lease of Port of Seattle property as a base for Shell’s Arctic drilling fleet was affirmed Friday by a King County Superior Court judge who ruled that the port didn’t need to conduct an environmental review to use Terminal 5 for that purpose.
The decision, a victory for the Port and Foss Maritime, comes just two weeks before a hearing examiner will consider a similar challenge to the lease by the City of Seattle.
“We believe the facts support the judge’s decision and we’re glad to be able to move on to the next step,” Port of Seattle spokeswoman Susan Stoltzfus said after the ruling.
She said the Port hopes for the same outcome from the hearing examiner.