Port of New Orleans Trash Free Waters Pilot Project

Transcription

1 A Global Reach, A Greener Future Port of New Orleans Trash Free Waters Pilot Project AAPA Environment Committee April 8, 2015 Amelia L. Pellegrin, AICP, LEED AP Environmental Services Manager Port of New Orleans

2 Port NOLA Trash Free Waters Pilot Project In collaboration with U.S. EPA, port tenants and community stakeholders, Port NOLA is working to address the universal issue of trash, litter and debris and to prevent it from reaching our waterways. Catherine C. Dunn, P.E., N.PE, P.PE Deputy Director Port Development Prt of New Orleans A Global Reach, A Greener Future

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency s Trash Free Waters Program A strategic approach to reduce trash in aquatic ecosystems EPA Goal Statement: Significantly reduce the amount of trash entering U.S. water bodies and the ocean through actions taken by government (at all levels), the business community, and individual citizens, approaching zero loadings of trash into aquatic ecosystems within 10 years. 3

4 Aquatic Trash Marine Impacts from Land Sources Approximately 80% of aquatic trash comes from land-based sources. Plastic is estimated to make up 60-80% of ocean trash. Highly durable plastic containers and packaging are used for short-term, single-use purposes. Plastic aquatic trash appears to be a vector for the transfer of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic chemicals from the water to the food web, increasing risk to all animals in the marine food web, including humans. Growing Attention and Momentum for Action: International State Dept. One Ocean conference highlighted the growing marine trash problem; White House follow-up seeks a comprehensive Federal role; UNEP interest in EPA playing a leadership role on land-based prevention strategies and serving as a model for other nations. Public opinion Recent press and public attention on marine trash, especially microplastics. EPA programs EPA Administrator endorsement of Trash Free Waters; strong HQ and regional office involvement with the issue; tie in geographic programs (e.g., Urban Waters, National Estuaries). States & cities Strong interest in TFWater strategies that address land-based trash reduction goals. Private sector Increased corporate interest in public/private partnerships for trash prevention. Trash Free Seas Alliance Ocean Conservancy initiative for global business responsibility. 4

5 EPA s Trash Free Waters Program A strategic approach to reduce trash and debris in U.S. aquatic ecosystems National Projects Address Essential Leverage Points Identified by Stakeholders: Calculating the direct and indirect costs of trash to society. Assessing ecological and human health effects from microplastics in the marine food chain. Exploring public/private partnerships for litter prevention and behavior modification. Defining credible metrics to assess the success of aquatic trash reduction programs. Regional Strategies Enhance State and Local Trash Prevention Programs: Serve as catalyst/facilitator of strategic planning. Consult with government, business, NGO, and citizen stakeholders. Identify collective actions that enhance trash prevention drivers and remove barriers. Facilitate project implementation. Measure results. California/Pacific Islands Mature aquatic trash/marine debris program led by EPA Region 9. Mid-Atlantic (VA/MD/DE) Implementing great practices tool and municipal partnership pilots. Gulf of Mexico Scoping effort identified value-add projects; possible RESTORE funding. Puerto Rico New TFW initiative tied to R2 solid waste reduction program and San Juan NEP. Mid-Atlantic (NY/NJ) New planning dialogue underway. 5

6 20 million sq ft of cargo handling area 3.1 million sq ft of covered storage 1.7 million sq ft of people places (cruise, parking, etc.) 65.3 millions sq ft of industrial properties Existing Facilities and Properties

7 INTENSIVE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS FOCUSED ON FEASIBLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Southern Recycling TCI Trucking Coastal Cargo Ports America New Orleans Terminal Audubon Aquarium Regional Planning Commission LA DEQ Sewerage and Water Board City of New Orleans Jefferson Parish UNO, Nicholls State Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation NOAA Institute for Local Innovation New Orleans Business Alliance Evaluation & Monitoring Technology & Innovation Outreach & Education Policy & Enforcement Cleanup Strategies Catherine C. Dunn, P.E., N.PE, P.PE Deputy Director Port Development Prt of New Orleans A Global Reach, A Greener Future

8 The CHARGE to the Trash Free Waters Port NOLA Task Force The Trash Free Waters Port NOLA Task Force will engage in meaningful discussion focused on reducing and even preventing the volumes of litter that ultimately move from port property into our waterways. This will be accomplished by working in partnership with the full range of interested stakeholders including (but not limited to) Port tenants, vehicle and equipment operators, trade and commerce organizations, academia and others. Discussions will shed light on the sources of litter (both on land and from upstream) and focus on technologies, tools, policies, educational programs, and perhaps even the incentives for reducing and preventing aquatic trash on site as well as its transport into the Mississippi River, Lake Ponchartrain and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Task Force will develop consensus on shared solutions. During the next four months, participants in this Task Force will work with the facilitator and the conveners (EPA and Port NOLA) to develop a Port of New Orleans TFW Action Plan. Looking beyond, we will use that Action Plan to develop a Model Port Policy for Trash Free Waters one that might be adapted by other ports across America.

9 A Global Reach, A Greener Future Evaluation and Monitoring Catherine C. Dunn, P.E., N.PE, P.PE Deputy Director Port Development Prt of New Orleans Amelia L. Pellegrin, dunnc@portno.com AICP, LEED AP Environmental Services Manager Port of New Orleans

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12 A Global Reach, A Greener Future Technology and Innovation Amelia L. Pellegrin, AICP, LEED AP Environmental Services Manager Port of New Orleans

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14 Proposed Port Funded Solution

15 Port of New Orleans BMP Standards for New Storm Drain Grates Must maintain current weight loading standards Must allow for adequate flow of stormwater Hole size must be smaller than 2 square; 1.25 width maximum if rectangular slots Standards based on Research from current drain grates available foundry catalogs Measurements of common waste items that currently pass through grates on CHT

16 IHNC Maintenance Map: A Work In Progress

17 A Global Reach, A Greener Future Outreach and Education Amelia L. Pellegrin, AICP, LEED AP Environmental Services Manager Port of New Orleans

18 Outreach & Education: what works? What we have: 1. Traffic signs 2. Stencils 3. Drain markers 4. AM Radio 5. Port Record Other strategies? 1. Banners 2. Flyers 3. Branded cans 4. Warning tickets? 5. What else? A Global Reach, A Greener Future

19 Team Developed a Communications Strategy Goals: increase water literacy and change behavior at the Port and beyond. Audience: 1) Port users, tenants, operators and stakeholders, 2) Publicly accessible port locations 3) Link to community outreach efforts Media: Banners, trash can signage, print and social media. Key messaging: Port is a public asset, so are our waterways. Ownership is collective take pride and responsibility. A Global Reach, A Greener Future

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21 Port user, tenant and stakeholder input: Local, Direct and Simple Your port + your water = our nola Fleet bumper stickers Truck mud flaps Safety vest printing Launch with focus on enforcement and peer to peer communications

22 Storm Drain Community Art Installation Program Proposal Emily A. Federer Environmental Scientist Port of New Orleans office cell

23 Tuesday, March 31,

24 Tuesday, March 31,

25 A Global Reach, A Greener Future Policy & Enforcement Amelia L. Pellegrin, AICP, LEED AP Environmental Services Manager Port of New Orleans

26 Board of Commissioners Adopt Trash Free Waters Policy and Program Commitment 1. Holistic approach to land based and waterbased litter and debris 2. Embraces the vision of Trash Free Waters 3. Acknowledges existing ordinances and enforcement limitations 4. Relies on community participation and collective efforts 5. Multiple lines of action: technologies, prevention, communications, and behavioral changes 6. Feasible and replicable A Global Reach, A Greener Future

27 Benefits and Challenges Short timeline helped to balance the time commitment Credibility directly linked to implementation New and enhanced relationships Opportunities for valueadded programs to support Port business and expansion A Global Reach, A Greener Future

28 Discussion & Questions: How can TFW benefit other ports/aapa? Catalogue of strategies In depth case studies A programmatic framework Pilot testing technology A Global Reach, A Greener Future