With a new brand identity centered on sustainability, the Port of Seattle set ambitious goals for 2008, to protect and improve the environment of the Puget Sound region. We are encouraged by the advances we’ve made during this year, specifically in the areas of water quality, air quality and the relationships we have developed with environmental partners and Port customers.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions took center stage at Sea-Tac during 2008, with the release of the airport's greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reduction strategies that will assist in identifying the greatest sources of emissions at the airport. In addition, the Port Commission asked for greater federal involvement in support of aircraft emission reduction.
The Port also partnered with the Port of Tacoma and the Vancouver (B.C) Fraser Port Authority to create the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, designed to reduce seaport-related air emissions at all three locations. Enouraged by input from stakeholders, citizens and environmental groups, the partnership also brought about a resolution aligning environmental goals between Seattle's andTacoma's seaports.
Thanks to our continued effort to manage the storm water issues as part of Sea-Tac Airport’s multi-year expansion project, the Port was awarded the 2008 Environmental Achievement Award from Airports Council International.
One of the crowning achievements was the relocation and habitat restoration of Miller Creek — and the subsequent spotting of salmon making their way back into waters that previously were clogged with garbage and debris. In addition, with the move of the cruise facility from Terminal 30, installation of two electrical hook-ups at the new Pier 91 cruise facility retains Seattle as one of the nation’s two seaports with two such connections.
Ten of the Port’s parks joined other urban Washington sites to be certified for water quality protection and salmon habitat. The recognition from Salmon-Safe, a Portland-based group that restores urban watersheds for salmon, shows the Port’s deep commitment to safeguarding the Seattle waterfront’s aquatic habitat.
And with the recent addition of Fishermen’s Terminal, all four Port of Seattle marinas including Bell Harbor, Harbor Island and Shilshole Bay, have been named King County “Envirostars” for their innovative recycling and waste reduction practices.
Seattle and Tacoma ports also convened two special joint commission sessions in 2008 to discuss regional air quality cooperation, among several other topics.
And in a broad-reaching move, The Port of Seattle and the Port of Dalian, China have agreed to work with other public and private sector partners on an EcoPartnership to advance environmental and economic sustainability. The EcoPartnership will last a minimum of three years and will include examinations of marine terminal planning, construction management, liner development, railway transportation, oil spill response technologies and more.
These partnerships are just part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to increase customer and partner participation in sustainable practices. Other 2008 opportunities included:
- A first-of-its-kind trawl net recycling program offering free or minimal-cost net and metal recycling for commercial fishing vessels moored at Fisherman’s Terminal. Free “Clean and Safe” seminars also were offered for boatyards, uplands tenants, net locker and monthly moorage customers, and commercial marine and fishing companies.
- An incentive program at Sea-Tac Airport to recycle off-aircraft trash, projected to save airlines who participate more than $250,000 a year by reducing waste sent to landfills. In another incentive program, airlines like SkyWest, Horizon Air and Cargolux were recognized for reducing noise as winners of the 2007 Fly Quiet Awards.
|
