BHP project one step closer to coming to Hoquiam

Aberdeen, WA – Grays Harbor is one step closer to having potash being handled through the Port.  

The Port of Grays Harbor tells KXRO that at Tuesday’s Commission meeting, the Port Commissioners authorized Executive Director Gary Nelson to sign Options to Lease relating to BHP’s proposed potash export facility at Terminal 3 in Hoquiam.  

Grays Harbor remains one of the sites being considered for the state-of-the-art potash export facility.  

The Port says that as due diligence continues, the Options to Lease include conditions to be satisfied before BHP exercises the Option.  

The conditions include completing the necessary State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review and the City of Hoquiam vacating portions of Paulson Road and Airport Way that would be located within the proposed project area.   

BHP must also obtain all local, state, and federal permit approvals applicable for the proposed facility and its Option to Lease is subject to approval by its Board of Directors to advance the Jansen Potash Project into construction and operations.   

“This project is important for Hoquiam, important for the Port and important for our community so we are pleased to see this essential step in the process,” shared Port of Grays Harbor Commission President Stan Pinnick.  “While BHP choosing Grays Harbor is not a done deal, this is an important milestone in the process and we look forward to providing support and assistance throughout the Option period to help make this project a reality. BHP’s proposed project is consistent with our vision for utilizing our deep-water shipping infrastructure and upland property to create jobs for our community.”

“The City of Hoquiam is delighted to see this important step in the process being taken,” stated City of Hoquiam Mayor Jasmine Dickhoff.  “Our location is strategic and the Port’s infrastructure is world class. The City remains optimistic that Hoquiam will be selected as BHP’s potash export facility and we look forward to the potential investment and job opportunities it could bring to our community.  The strong partnership between the City and the Port of Grays Harbor has been essential to bring us to this point in the process.”

BHP has been working with the Port exploring the potential for the Terminal 3 site as its potash export facility for the Jansen Potash Project in Saskatchewan, Canada.  

BHP has and continues to actively engage local stakeholders, the Quinault Indian Nation, regulators and businesses, including hosting a public open house at the Hoquiam High School in September 2017.  

Potash, or potassium chloride, is a naturally occurring non-flammable and non-combustible mineral which is a key ingredient used in agricultural fertilizers worldwide.