Washington Supreme Court Rules Against Oil Terminal in Grays Harbor

The Quinault Indian Nation won a decision against the Contanda Company, which had planned to use the terminal to ship oil from Washington's Pacific cost.

1 minute read

January 18, 2017, 12:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Puget Sound

Bill Perry / Shutterstock

Citing the Oceans Management Act, the Washington Supreme Court "effectively canceled" the Grays Harbor Oil Terminal according to reporting from Lynda V. Mapes in the Seattle Times. The decision will set a precedent as it is the first time the act, written after the Exxon Valdez spill, has been used for a shore side development.

"The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) opposed the oil terminal on the grounds that it threatens the tribe’s treaty-protected fishery in Grays Harbor," Mapes writes. Grays Harbor which sits on the Pacific Ocean west of Olympia Washington was to transport 17.8 million barrels of oil a year. "The justices reversed decisions by a state board and the state Court of Appeals, which held the Ocean Resources Management Act did not cover plans by Houston-based Contanda to ship crude out of the Port of Grays Harbor at Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County," Mapes reports.

Thursday, January 12, 2017 in The Seattle Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

White bike symbol painted on green bike lane.

OKC Approves 7.2 Miles of New Bike Lanes

The city council is implementing its BikeWalkOKC plan, which recommends new bike lanes on key east-west corridors.

March 21 - Oklahoma City Free Press

Aerial view of downtown Houston, Texas skyline with low-rise housing in foreground.

Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’

Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.

March 21 - Urban Edge

Small tree in bloom with pink flowers in front of home in Toronto, Canada.

The Most Popular Tree on Google?

Meet Rodney: the Toronto tree getting rave reviews.

March 21 - Toronto Star