The change replaces the first-come, first-served process after it came to light that both supporters and opponents tried to buy the first speaking spots at earlier meetings in Ferndale and Bellingham.
Ken Oplinger with the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce says anyone who paid someone to stand in line at the meetings has completely missed the point of the environmental review scoping process.
Anyone can go to www.eisgatewaypacificwa.gov and submit a written comment.
The last two scoping meetings will be held Wednesday at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, and Thursday at the State Convention Center in Seattle, both from 4 to 7 p.m.
People who want to speak at these meetings will have to enter random drawings for a two-minute speaking slot.
The comment period on the scope of the environmental impact statement runs through January 21. A draft EIS could then take at least year to prepare.
