Environment: Port Everglades, San Diego
Port Everglades Joins Green Marine Program to Expand Environmental Performance
Port Everglades is expanding its environmental efforts by signing on as a participant with Green Marine, a voluntary environmental program for the maritime industry in North America.
Green Marine’s environmental program makes it possible for ports, terminal operators and shipping companies to voluntarily reduce their environmental footprint through a comprehensive program that addresses key environmental issues and criteria using 11 performance indicators including air emissions, community impacts, environmental leadership and much more.
Participants are required to demonstrate year-over-year improvement in measurable ways to maintain their Green Marine certification. The program is completely transparent with all results independently verified and made public.
"We have two major environmental projects underway at Port Everglades, so the timing is perfect for us to partner with Green Marine," said Port Chief Executive Steven Cernak, PPM®. "They have a proven track record in assisting program participants to significantly increase their environmental performance."
The two projects include creating more than 16 acres of mangroves and updating Cruise Terminal 4.
Currently underway is the Upland Mangrove Enhancement (Advisory, April 22, 2014), which involves replacing an existing 8.7-acre mangrove conservation easement with a 16.5-acre upland conversion by planting approximately 70,000 new mangroves and wetland plants. According to the port, the project is critical to its Southport Turning Notch Extension.
Port Everglades’ newly renovated Cruise Terminal 4 (Advisory, January 13, 2015) features high-efficiency and innovative lighting and air conditioning. Among the environmental features are wind and solar powered lights installed in the Terminal 4 parking lot. These energy-efficient improvements qualify the facility to become certified through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – a first for Port Everglades.
"We are very pleased to welcome Port Everglades among our participants," said Green Marine Executive Director David Bolduc. "They are the first Florida port to join our certification program, and they are genuinely committed to sustainable development. We look forward to working with them on advancing best practices and environmental performance."
More than 85 port authorities, terminal operators, ship owners and shipyards from coast to coast, in Canada and the United States, are enrolled in the program. In October 2013, Green Marine and AAPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of advancing the environmental sustainability of port and terminal operators.
San Diego: Port Approves Funding for Environmental Education
In a move to underscore the Port of San Diego's commitment to environmental stewardship, the Board of Port Commissioners at its January 15 meeting approved a resolution granting $384,024 in funding to provide environmental education to more than 21,000 students in the San Diego Bay watershed.
Proposals from these organizations were received in response to a request for proposals (RFP) that was issued by the port in October 2014 for environmental education programs. The RFP stipulated that the programs must focus on San Diego Bay and its natural resources, endangered species, pollution prevention, energy and water conservation, improvements to sediment and water quality, habitat restoration, and stormwater and watershed protection. The programs also must meet next-generation science content standards for California public schools and provide education for kindergarten through 12th grade students. They also must meet the needs of the Regional Municipal Stormwater Permit.
Here are the programs that will receive port funding:
- I Love a Clean San Diego: "Kicking Trash: Connecting Kids to Conservation." This program would reach a minimum of 600 middle and high school students at 50 schools within the watershed. It includes watershed education and a watershed clean-up event. Port funding: $33,870 for two years.
- The Ocean Foundation: "Ocean Connectors Whale Exploration." This program would reach 500 students from schools in National City. The students would receive presentations about native plants and animals, endangered species and migratory species. The students will also be given an educational boat tour where they would experience whale watching, and be able to see other marine life. Port funding: $10,000 for one year.
- Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek: "Groundwork San Diego." This program would reach 600 students in the San Diego neighborhood of Encanto. Students will learn about the connection between Chollas Creek and San Diego Bay. Education would focus on the impact of pollution, invasive plants, and rising temperatures on sensitive species, using the San Diego Bay Green Sea Turtle colony as an example. Port funding: $28,442 for one year.
- San Diego Coastkeeper: "Water Education Kit." This program would provide environmental education to teachers and hands-on water education activities and kits that would reach 150-200 students in the District's five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. The water education kits would be available in Spanish and include lessons on watersheds, stormwater pollution, water quality testing, pollution prevention, marine debris, San Diego Bay habitats and wildlife and water conservation. Port funding: $10,962 for one year.
- Living Coast Discovery Center: "Living Lab Education Program." This program proposes to teach up to 20,000 K-12 students from schools in Chula Vista, National City and San Diego. Education on coastal resource conservation, natural history, watershed protection, recycling, pollution, native plants and animals and responsible outdoor recreation will be provided. Students will explore hiking trails to learn about nearby habitats. Students will also study tidal change and the effects of watershed pollution. Port funding: $225,000 for three years.
- Ocean Discovery Institute: "Ocean Science Explorers: City to Bay Scientists." This program will provide environmental education to more than 900 fifth grade students in the City Heights area of San Diego. The program will focus on how water connects ecosystems and San Diego Bay. Hands-on experiential learning as well as environmental service learning projects will be included. Lessons will focus on pollution protection, water conservation and watershed protection. Port funding: $75,750 for three years.