Environmental

Making an Impact | The Green Gateway | Kudos | A Strong Commitment to the Future

Making an Impact

By the time our nation observed the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, the Port of Seattle was already looking at its properties and operations with an environmental lens.  In 1971, for example, Seattle became the first West Coast port to create a staff position focused entirely on ecological considerations.

This person was to manage habitat around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, not to support wildlife, but to discourage it, to reduce bird hazards to aircraft.

 In 1972, Sea-Tac Airport became the first big airport hub to study ways to improve the relationships between the airport and its surrounding community related to noise, air and water pollution.  By 1974 the Port had gained national recognition, via the American Association of Port Authorities, for excellence in environmental projects such as dust control at the grain elevator; a pump-out system for commercial fishing and recreational boats; and a waste-paper recycling program.

 By 1977, the Port had completed studies of the Southeast Harbor area to explore development alternatives, and built a viewpoint and access road at Smith Cove Park; created a buffer strip of trees and vegetation at the Terminal 91 uplands; added landscaping to Elliott Bay Park; initiated environmental studies and supported a University of Washington archaeological study at Terminal 107 along the Duwamish River.

These and other projects set the foundation for a parks program that now manages more than 20 sites; a maintenance and landscape team that uses 100% organic techniques.

The Green Gateway

The Port’s environmental focus has intensified and its programs have grown dramatically since that first Earth Day.

In 2009, the Port labeled itself “The Green Gateway” for trade and travel. That name evolved from research that showed that Puget Sound ports offer the lowest carbon footprint for cargo shipped by sea from Asia to U.S. markets in the Midwest and East Coast.  The Green Gateway encompasses  all of the Port environmental programs from award-winning recycling  at Sea-Tac to a clean truck program that is helping to replace the older, polluting trucks that call on the Seaport’s cargo terminals.

The Port is a leader in identifying environmental impacts and tackling them. The Port established and then worked with the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum to complete a Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, Released in 2007, the inventory is the most extensive study of its type ever done in the U.S. and the very first to include greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, Sea-Tac Airport released its ground-breaking Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory in 2008. It was the first broad-based study of its kind and provides blueprint for airport environmental strategies going forward.

Kudos

Today sustainability is a key element in every Port operation and project.  This commitment has been recognized by numerous outside organizations. Sea-Tac Airport was the Airports Council International – North America’s 2010 Environmental Achievement Award Winner They touted Sea-Tac’s “Environmental Strategy Program – A Vision for 2010 and Beyond” as “the linchpin for the success of its environmental program and can serve as a role model for other airports.”  Last year, Sea-Tac was also named the “Best Workplace for Recycling” for the fourth year running by King County’s Solid Waste Management Division.  The Port’s use of biodiesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles earned a national Green Fleet award. The EPA has also recognized the Port’s air quality programs. In 2008, the Port received the agency’s Clean Air Excellence Award.

 A Strong Commitment to the Future

The Port is hardly resting on its laurels. Its 2011 budget reflects its ongoing commitment to environment stewardship.  Over $9 million will be invested in the Green Port Initiative, a comprehensive program implementing storm water treatment, energy conservation and emission reduction programs across Port facilities. Another $8 million is targeted for congestion relief and a program to provide pre-conditioned air to planes parked at Sea-Tac gates that is expected to reduce emissions by 50,000 metric tons every year – the equivalent of taking 8,700 cars off the road.

The future is looking green indeed.

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