Justice for all. The words each American pledged to uphold have adopted a discordant ring of late. The decision to approve or deny the crude oil storage permit by Westway rests solely in the hands of an unelected city administrator, and we are told it is the law.

In a recent Daily World article, the Hoquiam city administrator stated that he planned to base most of his decision upon the recommendation of ICF, “the ‘impartial’ consulting firm” hired by Westway to conduct the environmental impact statement. Courtesy of ICF, Westway has sped through the environmental impact study despite the tri-fold challenge of a poor track record on safety, questionable financial resources or solid plans for future financial backing.

This may be a good time to revisit the meaning and nuance of the word “impartial.”

ICF had the latitude to toss out questions they considered too uncomfortable or too complex to answer.

Apparently, there were many uncomfortable questions from the citizens of Grays Harbor.

During the time of the open comment period for the proposed crude oil projects in Grays Harbor last fall, the written citizen comments given to ICF were not recorded or listed for at least a 12-day time period. If your comment is not listed in the EIS, than yours was among the many, whose comments remain unheard.

Unless citizens take action, the project will become a reality — despite the thundering unanimity of voices belonging to the people who have offered vehement opposition to Westway’s plan, which risks lives, lands and waters as Westway collects the profits.

This falls short of justice.

Thomas Jefferson once said: “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”

It belongs to every person who stands in opposition to this project to request that the Justice Department step in and intervene on behalf of the citizens of Grays Harbor. If this is the law, than the law is foundationally unjust and should be reviewed by a truly impartial federal agency.

Shannon Vandenbush

Ocean Shores