A liquefied natural gas terminal is like a spring rainstorm. It will fall on us or it won’t. Our opinions about moisture won’t matter much.

Instead of arguing the merits of precipitation, we should start shopping for umbrellas and planting petunias.

Last week’s conclusion of an environmental impact statement moved the Jordan Cove project, and the associated pipeline, a smidgen closer to reality. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concluded the project would cause “less-than-significant” harm.

Though important, this report is just one step in a long journey. The commission itself still has to rule, and the project needs a stack of other permits. Court appeals will be inevitable. Pipeline easements will trigger condemnation battles.  Probably most important, the developers need commitments from future customers.

Bay Area citizens will be mainly spectators, not participants, in these decisions. We can holler ourselves hoarse without affecting the outcome. So, instead of hollering at one another about LNG, we should invest some energy in preparing for its possible arrival.

If the terminal is built, we’ll see a three-year spike in construction jobs, averaging about 470 at any given time. How will these jobs affect schools, medical care and government services? Those institutions should start thinking about how they’ll cope.

How many of those jobs can be filled by local workers? Can Southwestern Oregon Community College help locals cash in by offering specific training?

If the plant is built, it may create opportunities for additional industry on the North Spit. Economic development organizations need to be ready to capitalize on those opportunities. Local and state government should begin thinking about minimizing potential ill effects.

Many decisions about this proposal remain to be made, but now is not too soon to look ahead. If the terminal comes, supporters and opponents will need to work together, making the best of a situation we didn’t create.