Here is my comment to State.
The State Department has forsaken all credibility in embracing such a corrupt process as the one which created your EIS. Hiring long-time associates of the company that wants the permit...to let you know if giving the permit is environmentally sound? Shame on you--doubly so because, once having investigated the matter, your conclusion was that corruption doesn't really matter much.
Further, the State Department's willingness to endanger the United States' supply of potable water, including our largest Western aquifer, in exchange for 30 permanent jobs and the dubious privilege of being the landscape through which foreign corporations ship goods to foreign markets in search of massive profits for low-grade fuel, spilling pollutants in our water and seizing the land of our citizens along the way, is contemptible. Its refusal to acknowledge the fact that dilbit once spilled in water is notoriously difficult to clean up (the Kalamazoo spill cleanup is still ongoing after 3 years and has cost 1 billion dollars) should be of deep concern to any American who truly values the security and prosperity of her nation, because there can be neither security nor prosperity without an adequate supply of potable water. The further dangers that extracting and burning this fuel pose to the atmosphere are being dismissed as inevitable, but it's really not acceptable for the government to accept widespread catastrophe which could destabilize our society and kill our citizens with a shrug and upturned hands.
It appears that the main results of this project for the American nation, apart from the 30 lucky individuals who will receive permanent jobs, are poisoned water, onerous costs for pollution cleanup, property seized from American landowners, and a climate future which is not only mortgaged, but underwater. The fact that State is even considering giving a go-ahead for this project demonstrates the extent to which our government is willing to do literally anything to please the richest stakeholder in the room at any given moment.
If State has any concern left for the well-being and prosperity of the American nation, it will say no to this proposal.
Here is one way you can send your comments to the State Dept. and President Obama.
And here is a way to send the comments to State alone.
Please do take action today.
10:19 AM PT: Oops. It's tomorrow (Fri, 3/7) that's the last day, Comments must be received by 11:59 PM EST at regulations.gov or earlier if you're sending comments to 350.org. H/t and thanks to peregrinekate for correcting me!
That said, there's nothing wrong with sending your comments today. :-)