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Letter: We must contain the environmental disaster of the inland port

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Ethan Peterson argues with police who have removed him from a meeting of an inland port satellite working group (which was quickly canceled), held at a police precinct in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. With Peterson are Jill Merritt and Alan Ernstsen.

It was reported in local media that the inland port meeting held last week was shut down due to protesters. The verbal exchange that reportedly caused the termination involved a concerned citizen requesting chairs for those present.

No one I saw was there to disrupt the meeting. No one appeared to be trying to make others feel unsafe, which was why the board moved the venue to a police precinct. If anything, the venue was intimidating for those wanting to participate and become better informed.

Many of those present were there with lists of questions about the satellite port concept that was being generated throughout the state. We came to find out what the 11-member, unelected officials on the Inland Port Authority Board were planning for Utah and how it would involve taxpayer’s money for this private development. This project is sure to enrich few while impacting us all.

Meeting after meeting, environmental concerns are raised by the public. It has been the No. 1 concern coming out of the Envision Utah’s public input surveys. Yet the board has yet to address these vital issues in any concrete manner.

Not only are we facing a huge environmental impact in the northwest quadrant of our city — now the board is working on satellite ports throughout Utah. This is sure to involve more dirty fossil fuels.

This plan reminds me of what happens when a mercury thermometer shatters. Filled with a useful substance when contained, yet highly toxic and extremely difficult to control once it spreads out.

We must contain this environmental disaster. Once these ports are built it will be too late. The impact will be on Utah’s land, water and air quality, along with more noise and light pollution and it is sure to be disastrous.

Susan Corth, Salt Lake City

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