Support of Aquatic Invasive Species Research
The Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority recognizes the continued threat of aquatic invasive species to the Great Lakes ecosystem and shipping economy. As such, the Port Authority will strive to support scientific research and analysis of AIS in Lake Erie and provide access to researchers to the Port of Cleveland for sampling opportunities.
Greenhouse Gases & Air Emission Reduction Efforts
City of Cleveland Idle Reduction Ordinance
Effective October 1, 2009 it is illegal to idle any vehicle longer than 5 minutes in the City of Cleveland (with some exceptions). The purpose of the Idle Reduction Ordinance is to protect public health and the environment by reducing emissions while conserving fuel, maintaining adequate rest and safety of all drivers, and removing barriers to economic development imposed by the region’s air quality status under the federal Clean Air Act.
Truck & Ship Emissions Reduction Efforts
The Port of Cleveland, in consultation with its terminal operator, Federal Marine Terminal, will be working with the City of Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio Air Quality Improvement Campaign in efforts to reduce diesel emissions from idling truck traffic at the Port by engaging fleet managers in a roundtable discussion on the implementation of the Idle Reduction Ordinance in early January 2010. The Port will be working with the City and the Campaign partners in preparing emission and idle reduction informational packets for trucks calling on the port.
In addition, the Port of Cleveland, again in consultation with its terminal operator and shipping agents, will provide air quality information to all ships making a port-of-call. The ships will be notified of the region’s nonattainment status, current air quality reports and will be encouraged to undertake voluntary actions that can be taken to reduce ship emissions, e.g. routine engine maintenance, the use of low sulfur fuel, etc.
Development of an Annual Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) Report
In 2010 and 2011, the Port will be working to develop an annual greenhouse gas (GHG) including the development of a footprint which will be used as a baseline for annual reporting. The Port will consult with Cleveland Carbon Fund and the Green City Blue Lake Institute on the development of an GHG emissions inventory. A Port Annual Report will be developed and posted on the web page.
Noise, Dust and Light Reductions
Dust, noise and lighting can impact the environment in many ways. Dust contributes to fine particle pollution problems and potential impacts to adjacent properties. Excessive noise and lighting can impact adjacent residential properties and wildlife.
Currently, Northeast Ohio is nonattainment of the federal health standards for fine particle pollution. Dust from roads and cargo storage contribute to the nonattainment problem. More information on the nonattainment problem can be found at http://ohioair.info/quality/currentmappm25.asp The Port has or will be implementing the following BMPs at the Port of Cleveland and will be asking the Port tenants to adhere to and adopt similar BMPs:
Speed Limits
A speed limit of 15 mph has been established at the Port of Cleveland for all paved surfaces. For any unpaved surface the speed limit is reduced to 10 mph or lower depending on dust conditions.
Management of Bulk Cargo Storage and Handling
The Port of Cleveland requests that all bulk cargo storage be managed to minimize dust associated with pile heights and residual dust from the transportation of the cargo. BMPs can include covering piles, reducing pile heights, misting of aggregate, recovering cargo by sweeping, etc.
Lighting Management
In urban settings where nighttime darkness is illuminated with extraneous lighting, birds are often confused by bright lights on misty and stormy nights. Birds use the stars as reference points during flight and during periods of poor visibility artificial lighting can lead to disorientation and changes in flight paths and migratory courses. Changes in patterns and disorientation can prevent birds from choosing the ideal stopover sites. Some birds can be caught in a “lit-beam circling” pattern until they drop from exhaustion or collide with surrounding objects.
Establishment & Participation in a Dust, Noise and Lighting Complaint Response Program
The Green Marine program Level II certification requires ports and terminal operators to address “conflicts of use” through a community complaint & response management program.
