<\/div>\nAbout three weeks ago, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners released for 45 days of public comment a long-awaited environmental analysis report for the Middle Harbor Project. <\/span>The draft report, termed an “EIS\/EIR,” was released in accordance with federal law (the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA) and state law (the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA). <\/span>These similar but not identical laws are intended to disclose the impacts of proposed projects to the public so that decision makers – in this case, our Harbor Commissioners – can decide whether and how to proceed. <\/span>Both laws require the analysis of project alternatives, including a no-action alternative (i.e., leaving things the way they are), and importantly, both require mitigation measures for project impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n On Wednesday night I attended the first of two scheduled public hearings where port staff received public comments on the project <\/span>(several of the Commissioners were in the audience listening). <\/span>Over the span of ten years, the project will consolidate two outdated and inefficient port terminal properties into one modern, clean, efficient terminal. <\/span>Some existing shallow channels will be filled in to create a rectangular terminal with enough dock space for today’s larger ships and enough “backland” for the numerous cargo containers they handle. <\/span>(The port will offset this fill with credits earned earlier through restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands.)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The project is expected to create a thousand temporary construction jobs and, when operational, to support 14,000 new goods movement-related jobs in Southern California. <\/span>If you were to look to the left as you drove uphill over the Gerald Desmond Bridge towards San Pedro (westbound), you’d see the project site. <\/span>(But please drive safely if you do this!)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The current state of the future Middle Harbor site.<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, according to port staff presentations, the project will reduce emissions of all port-related air pollutants – and public health risk – to lower levels than today. <\/span>This is true for the complete project at its full capacity, handling at least twice as many containers as the combined operations do now. <\/span>How is this possible? <\/span>The existing equipment – cranes, trucks, locomotives, and more – will be replaced over the coming years with newer, cleaner versions, as laid out in the port Clean Air Action Plan<\/font><\/a>. <\/span>Moreover, the revamped facility’s lease will require that all ships calling at the terminal reduce their speed within 40 nautical miles of shore (currently a voluntary requirement), use shore power (now done at only a couple of San Pedro Bay terminals), and use low-sulfur fuel in both main and auxiliary engines. <\/span>The project will also dramatically expand the capacity for on-dock loading of containers to rail, reducing the need for as many as 1,000 trucks a day that now traverse both local freeways (think I-710) and local streets, especially near West Long Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Twenty-six of the commenters Wednesday night were in favor of the project. <\/span>Local residents and business owners, employees of the existing terminals, union members, industry groups, and engineering firms were among those speaking in support. <\/span>Four commenters were opposed to the project, including two speakers representing the Coalition for a Safe Environment. <\/span>Two commenters, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, asked for more time to review the voluminous project documents. <\/span>There were calls for additional public outreach and for ways to ensure that the mitigation measures are actually implemented. <\/span>(Port staff point out that the lease will require compliance.)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The second public hearing will take place next Wednesday night, June 18th<\/sup>, starting at 6:30 at Silverado Park in West Long Beach. <\/span>It’s possible that more project opposition will be voiced in this heavily impacted location. <\/span>You can see the port staff presentation and a video about the project here<\/font><\/a> (scroll to the bottom of the piece for these links), and view the full environmental documents here<\/font><\/a>. <\/span>You can also submit written comments according to instructions on the page at the first of these two links. <\/span>Port staff are eager to get your input.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Photobucket\"](\"http:\/\/s304.photobucket.com\/albums\/nn191\/LBPOSTphotos\/?action=view¤t=PortLBBefore.jpg\")
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