Coast Guard Announces Plan to Expand Seattle Waterfront Base

The Coast Guard has issued a Federal Register notice announcing its intent to expand its Seattle waterfront base to accommodate three new icebreaker vessels. The proposed base expansion aligns with the country’s goal of ramping up its presence in the rapidly changing Arctic region.

Service leaders are considering purchasing additional land owned by the Port of Seattle or signing a long-term lease.

One option is to acquire up to 54.1 acres, mainly at Terminal 46, which is located north of the Coast Guard’s current waterfront base, Navy Times reported.

While port officials expressed support for the service’s proposed Seattle base expansion, they are concerned about how a federal takeover will affect bulk cargo operations in Terminal 46.

“I want to know if we can provide this national service without impacting to an unreasonable degree our well-established uses of the waterfront,” Fred Felleman, a Port of Seattle commissioner, said in a statement.

Lt. Russ Tippets, a Coast Guard spokesperson, acknowledged the concerns raised by port officials and offered assurances that the service is committed to working with stakeholders and the public through an environmental hearing process.

In addition to buying land off of Terminal 46, the Coast Guard is considering expanding its current Seattle base to the south by occupying additional land at Terminal 30, King5 reports.

The proposal is open to public comment for 45 days. Responses to the notice will help the Coast Guard develop an environmental impact statement, which is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.