Port Community Advisory Committee News

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, acting on the request of Mayor Jim Hahn to maintain and enhance the quality of life of residents of the harbor area, adopted a historic environmental policy regarding Port of Los Angeles operations and future mitigation measures. “The Board is proud to establish this new environmental policy which sets as a goal that there will be no net increase in air emissions or traffic impact from future Port operations,” said Commission President Nicholas G. Tonsich. Port staff was directed to conduct seven separate environmental studies. Conduct baseline air emission inventory of the Port area focused on diesel particulates…

The Port of Los Angeles announced the appointment of Marisa Trutanich as environmental mitigation coordinator, a position designed to serve as the critical link between the Port of Los Angeles and Port Community Advisory Committee. The environmental mitigation coordinator manages mitigation, funding and proposals for specific Port development projects, monitors the implementation of approved mitigation measures and reviews environmental studies and reports. "Marisa is the appropriate choice for this position," said Commissioner Camilla Kocol. Trutanich has worked as a management analyst in the Port's Planning Division since January 2003, where she managed the planning aspect of various Port development projects.

The Port of Los Angeles is making $6m available for projects that reduce air pollution generated by Port operations. The funding is a component of the 2006-2007 Port Air Quality Mitigation Incentive Program. An applicant workshop and vendor fair will be held on August 29 at 10 a.m. Deadline for submissions is October 24, 2006. The Port Air Quality Mitigation Incentive Program provides financial incentives for programs that will reduce air emissions that affect neighboring communities of Wilmington and San Pedro, as well as the surrounding areas. Proposals will be reviewed by Port staff and members of the Port Community Advisory Committee, judged on effectiveness and emissions reductions, and ultimately approved and awarded funding by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission.

The Public Relations & Legislative Affairs division at the Port of Los Angeles has hired three new team members to help extend Port-related community interaction and legislative activity in support of a roster of current and upcoming Port initiatives. Coming to the Port from the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women, Veronica Hendrix has been hired as the Port’s new community-focused Public Information Director. Legislative Director for 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, assumes the Port’s Los Angeles-focus Legislative Representative post. Wilmington resident and community representative Cecilia Moreno also has joined the Port in the newly created position of Community Affairs Advocate.

The Board of Harbor Commissioners this week approved spending $3.12 million over the next year on 16 customer projects aimed at reducing air emissions. In total, over their lifetime these projects reduce NOx emissions by more than 1,000 tons, and particulate matter by nearly 30 tons. The projects were reviewed by the Port's Technical Advisory Committee and the Port Community Advisory Committee, and the final 16 were recommended to the Board for funding consideration. "We received more than 30 applications for project funding from our customers for consideration," said Geraldine Knatz, Port of Los Angeles executive director. "This shows the level of commitment we all have to reducing the air emissions created by Port-related operations.