Fight continues over Bellingham coal terminal

 BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- About 800 people showed up Tuesday night in Bellingham
 to learn how they can make their voices heard during an environmental review
 process for a proposed terminal to ship U.S. coal to Asia.
   County, state and federal officials told the crowd that the process of taking
 public input won't begin in earnest until this summer.
   Seattle-based SSA Marine wants to build a terminal near Bellingham that would
 ship millions of tons of coal from Montana and Wyoming to Asia. The company says
 it would create thousands of jobs and generate millions in tax and other revenues.
   The terminal would be built within the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve. Opponents
 say it would harm water quality and herring spawning grounds. They also worry
about increased train traffic.
   Whatcom County received several permit applications from the company on Monday
 The project needs various approvals, including from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
gineers.
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   AP-WF-03-21-12 0637GMT