pollution – Pacific Maritime Magazine

09 Jan

Port of Olympia Launches Research Vessel to Address Legacy Pollution

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsbuddinlet, pollution, portofolympia

The Port of Olympia has deployed a research vessel to determine the scope of legacy pollution in Budd Inlet. Launched Jan. 8, the research vessel is tasked with collecting sediment samples in the inlet over the next two months for lab analysis. The results would help the port develop a cleanup plan. “The Port of Olympia recognizes the importance of addressing legacy pollutants in Budd Inlet,” port Director of Strategic Initiatives and Commission Affairs Camille St. Onge said. “We understand our responsibility to the community and the environment,” she added. “While we are obligated by the Department of Ecology to…

21 Nov

Port of Seattle Creating Fund to Address Legacy Industrial Pollution

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsenvironmentallegacyfund, pollution, portofseattle

The Port of Seattle is establishing a fund dedicated to cleaning up legacy industrial pollution on its properties, the port announced Nov. 14. Port commissioners have authorized the executive director to create a new Environmental Legacy Fund with property tax revenue to pay for the cleanup of longtime industrial pollution on port property. The port’s currently involved in 18 environmental remediation projects, many of them in partnership with other government agencies and organizations. The new fund, which the port said it intends to launch with $30 million from tax levy money collected annually from King County homeowners, would help pay…

19 Sep

Port of Vancouver USA Settles Pollution Lawsuit

Mark Edward NeroNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscolumbiariverkeeper, lawsuit, pollution, vancouverusa

The Port of Vancouver USA and environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper on Sept. 12 announced that they have reached an agreement to settle a Clean Water Act lawsuit challenging years of alleged unlawful water pollution from the public port. In the settlement, the port committed to make significant changes to reduce the amount of water pollution that flows off the 1643-acre property and into the Columbia River. However, before the proposed settlement can go into effect, it must undergo a 45-day review period by the U.S. Department of Justice and then be approved by a federal district court judge. As part…

05 Sep

Study: GHG Emissions Rise When U.S. West Coast Ports Move Less Cargo

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsghg, pmsa, pollution

When cargo ships bringing goods from Asia skip U.S. West Coast seaports, greenhouse gas emission levels rise, according to a new study released Aug. 30 by Starcrest Consulting Group. The 18-page study prepared for the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association looked at vessel sizes, port of origin and destination and other factors to determine that U.S. West Coast seaports have “an environmental advantage over East Coast and Gulf ports” when it comes to the total number of GHG emissions per Asia-borne container. The study found that the average amount of GHG emissions is 19% higher when Asia-borne cargo heads to East…