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Environmental: Sept-Iles, San Diego

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The Port of Sept-Îles has partnered with several local agencies to create an environmental observatory that will acquire credible baseline data about the local marine ecosystem. In San Diego, volunteers removed more than 45,000 pounds of trash and debris from local shores in the Port of San Diego’s 23rd annual Operation Clean Sweep.

Sept-Îles Partners to Create Environmental Observatory

Cégep de Sept-Îles, the City of Sept-Îles, Corporation de protection de l’environnement de Sept-Îles, Développement économique Sept-Îles, and the Port of Sept-Îles recently announced the creation of an environmental observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles that will be headed by Institut nordique de recherché en environnement et en santé au travail (INREST).

This important project will enhance understanding of current and future environmental impacts thanks to the acquisition of credible and updated baseline data. In addition, it will support stakeholders in their decision-making and environmental management while responding to public expectations and concerns.

After several months of preparation, the stakeholders agreed on a process whose startup phase will be as follows:
  1. Inventory and analysis of existing data (literature review)
  2. Water quality and sediment sampling
  3. Production and dissemination of a final report 
"The new observatory integrates the objectives pursued by Green Marine. It will help protect our valuable marine ecosystems and ensure responsible planning based on sustainable development values. This innovative initiative reflects the environmental leadership of the Port and its partners," said Pierre D. Gagnon, president and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

Annual San Diego Cleanup Event Removes Debris from Local Shores

An estimated 1,000 volunteers, including civilian, military and Harbor Police divers, gathered at seven sites to remove trash and debris in the Port of San Diego’s 23rd annual Operation Clean Sweep. The event resulted in the successful removal of 45,440 pounds of trash and debris from the shores of San Diego Bay. 

Volunteers remove debris at Operation Clean Sweep.
Photo/Port of San Diego

The event, sponsored by the San Diego Port Tenants Association, the Port of San Diego, the Navy Region Southwest, SDG&E, the United States Coast Guard Sector San Diego, EDCO Disposal and dozens of SDPTA member businesses, is one of the largest environmental cleanup efforts on the West Coast.

This cleanup utilizes specialized diving teams, heavy equipment and trash hauling services to remove debris from waterside locations that are usually inaccessible. Unusual trash items collected this year included a rusted washing machine, sections of stadium seating, a broken scooter and a piggy bank.

In the annual event, divers clean debris from beneath the water while volunteer groups pick up trash from along the shoreline. Dive cleanup sites included the former A-8 Anchorage (off the shore of Pepper Park in National City) and California Yacht Marina in Chula Vista. Shoreside cleanup sites included F Street Marsh in Chula Vista, Pond 20 in Imperial Beach and Convair Lagoon near Harbor Island, among others.
 

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