Guest editorial: Overreach threatens ports that ag supports

It is commonly understood here in Washington that our economy is closely linked to international trade, and that we are uniquely positioned to develop closer ties to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. The state Department of Commerce boasts that we are “one of the world’s leading trade and logistics hubs, with major ports and an outstanding transportation infrastructure.”

Unfortunately, other state agencies are endangering our role as a global trade leader. Under a plan by the state Department of Ecology to review new export terminals, future public and private investments will soon face unprecedented new red tape.