Port of LA Re-Releases the Draft Environmental Impact Report

Monday, May 05, 2008

Port Begins Public Comment Period and Announces June 5 Public Meeting to Present Project Overview and Receive Public Comments
The Port of Los Angeles has posted the Re-circulated Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) for the proposed Berth 97-109 Container Terminal Project (China Shipping). With the posting of the draft document, a public comment period is now in effect until close of business day June 30, 2008. The Port will hold a public meeting on June 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 East Water Street, in Wilmington. At the meeting, Port staff will present an overview of the proposed project and receive ublic comments.
The DEIS/DEIR is a re-circulation of the original DEIS/DEIR released in 2006. It includes a re-assessment of existing project components, assessment of proposed components, and new environmental measures in response to community feedback on the previously released DEIS/DEIR.
The Re-circulated Draft DEIS/DEIR illustrates how the Port proposes to substantially reduce air emissions at the terminal as part of a proposed expansion that could create more than 900 construction jobs during the project, and 4,000 new jobs upon full build-out. The estimated emission reductions between the proposed project without environmental controls beyond state and federal regulations as compared to the proposed project with a broad range of air reduction measures applied by the Port of Los Angeles yields a 95% reduction in sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions (a common ship exhaust pollutant), a 52% reduction in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, and PM (Particulate Matter) emissions reductions of 71% and 79% for PM10 and PM2.5 (respectively).
Phase II and Phase II of the project are estimated to cost $106,300,000. The first phase cost $100,200,000 for terminal assets already in place.
The project proposes aggressive measures to reduce air pollution, including shore-to-ship electric power (AMP) while vessels are at berth, use of low sulfur fuel on ships, and use of clean trucks, solar panels, and alternative-fueled yard equipment. The proposed project also includes several community beautification initiatives, including the development of a new community park in San Pedro (Plaza Park), implementing a Beautification Plan along area corridors, and extensive landscaping along Front Street, which runs parallel to the terminal perimeter.
The June 5th public meeting is part of the Re-circulated DEIS/DEIR process. At the meeting, the public will be informed of the potential significant environmental effects of the proposed project and project alternatives, and public comment on the project will be taken and documented for consideration in the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIS/FEIR).
Copies of the Re-circulated DEIS/DEIR document are available online at the Port’s website, www.portoflosangeles.org .