Tacoma Human Rights Commission Calling on Tacoma City Council to Conduct Its Own SEIS

The Tacoma Human Rights Commission is calling the question on PSE’s fracked gas project. In a strongly-worded letter sent to the mayor and city council on April 23, 2019, the Commission requests that the City initiate a supplemental EIS review of the LNG project in the Tideflats. In a six-page evidence-packed argument, the Commission notes that the permitting agencies responsible for the project failed to engage the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in meaningful consultation — a blatant violation of their legal rights — and that the project would put tribal members and others at serious risk, including detainees at the ICE-operated Northwest Detention Center.  

The Human Rights Commission is an official part of Tacoma’s government. It is established by city code with a 15-member board appointed by the city council and charged with investigating claims of discrimination and other human rights violations.