Come see how the Port of Long Beach is improving the

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1 A Community Newsletter From The Port of Long Beach Fall 2006 Free Port boat tours will be offered, along with many other activities, at the Oct. 7 Green Port Open House. See, Learn, Discover Open House to Showcase Environment Come see how the Port of Long Beach is improving the environment and learn more about how a global seaport operates at the second annual Green Port Open House, Saturday, October 7. The free event will feature boat tours of the Port, entertainment, environmental presentations, food, children s activities and more. The Open House will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza. Green Port Policy environmental protection programs. Members of the public are also invited to join one of the on the water to see the Port s environmental programs in action. Festivities are planned for the entire family, including entertainment, free food and activities for children. Last year s Open House event drew more than 2,000 people addressing environmental impacts and changing the very way it does business. For more information, please visit the Port s web site at GREEN PORT OPEN HOUSE October 7, a.m. to 2 p.m. Port Administration Bld. 925 Harbor Plaza Information: IN THIS ISSUE From the Bridge page 2 Clean Air Action Plan page 2 Green Flags Increase page 3 Cargo Movement In Focus page 4 Air Quality Testing page 6 Beyond the Waterfront page 7 Port TV page 8

2 From the Bridge Richard D. Steinke Port of Long Beach Executive Director Would it surprise you to learn that just one of the giant containerships that call at the Port of Long Beach could carry enough shoes to supply one pair for every person living in California? Or that the number of birds in the Long Beach harbor has more than doubled since the 1970s, thanks to the Port s environmental improvement efforts? These are just two fascinating facts among many that describe our operations and environmental efforts at the Port of Long Beach. Would you like to know more? Then please come to our Green Port Open House on October 7. The Open House is the biggest single public showing you, the community, what it is we do here, from the cargo movement that supports hundreds of thousands of regional jobs to our Green Port environmental programs that are improving air, water, soil, wildlife habitats and more. But the Green Port Open House isn t just activities, food, entertainment and giveaways for the entire family. We will also be providing 45-minute boat tours of the Port to see our environmental programs in action you won t want to miss it. Last year 2,000 members of the public This year there will be even more to see and do. And if you weren t able to come to last year s Open House, we especially encourage you to attend this year and bring your family, neighbors and friends. See you on October 7. page 2 Clean Air Plan Heade Boards set to OK sweeping environmental pact The landmark San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, after two months of public review and comment this summer, is now headed for approval by the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Clean Air Action plan, developed by the two ports with the participation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, is the most aggressive, comprehensive plan to reduce air emissions in the history of United States seaports. The plan outlines a coordinated strategy to reduce air pollution from port-related sources by 50 percent or more review and comment for 30 days, which was extended to 60 days by both ports to allow time for additional input. We received a lot of excellent feedback and ideas our goal of reducing air pollution, said Harbor make the plan even stronger. After revisions by the ports staff, the Clean Air Action Plan will head to the harbor commission boards at the two ports for a vote by late October or early November, Hankla said.

3 Green Flags Flying at Port More ships than ever at the Port of Long environmental achievements. d for Approval The Clean Air Action Plan calls for a variety of innovative strategies and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment by the ports and public and private entities. handling equipment and harbor craft that serve the ports and help transport goods to businesses and consumers. For more details on the Clean Air Action Plan, please visit the Environment/Air Quality section of the Port of Long Beach web site, at com. The site features an overview of the Plan in English and Spanish, complete technical report, fact sheet, news release and PowerPoint presentation. The Port awards Green Flags to recognize ships and vessel operators who voluntarily reduce ship speeds in the harbor area. The slower speed limit reduces pollution from visiting ships. Compliance with the Green Flag program percent of all ships, up from about 65 percent in early The Port s goal is 100 percent compliance, which will reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) by nearly 500 tons a year. Commissioners approved the Green Flag incentive program to encourage compliance with the voluntary ship speed reduction program, which has been in place since Under the Green Flag program, ships that observe a 12-knot speed limit within 20 miles of the Port during an entire year of voyages are awarded Green Flags to recognize their contributions to improved air quality. Ocean carriers, who operate the individual ships, can qualify for reduced dockage rates if 90 percent or more of their vessels comply with the speed limit for a year. Flying the Green Flag has become a symbol of pride for many vessels, said Harbor fees offer a strong additional incentive for ocean carriers to comply with the program. To see the full results of the Green Flag program, visit the Port s Green Flag web page at: vessels/default.asp. page 3

4 Across the Sea to Your Home T the newest MP3 player and the gifts for this holiday season nearly everything at your local shopping mall or retail store comes through the Port of Long manufacturers in Asia. This chart shows how these items are shipped, inside steel cargo containers, from overseas. Product ordered An import transaction starts when a U.S. wholesaler, retailer or other buyer orders products from an overseas manufacturer. The products are packed in a container and shipped directly to a port, or to a consolidator who combines products with the same destination overseas. Manufacturer or consolidator Coast Guard review The U.S. Coast Guard reviews crew and cargo manifests, which must be delivered at least three days before any ship arrives at U.S. shores. Coast Guard teams may board ships at sea for inspections with Port of Shanghai All aboard After clearing security, the container is placed on a ship with as many as 8,000 TEU containers. A ship takes about two weeks to cross the Pacific. LOCATION SHOWN ASIA U.S. page 4 Cargo Security To port Once the product has been ordered and packed, the buyer or freight forwarder arranges for a trucking company to move the container to a seaport, and then for a ship to transport the container overseas. U.S. Customs Security checks Using information from a U command center, U.S. Custo officials based overseas and local port security officials w conduct physical inspection on containers flagged as Risk level assigned Inspections Shippers must submit a Customs agents relay U.S. Customs manifest to U.S. Customs container information to a agents work with overseas port at least 24 hours before cargo U.S. government command center, security officials to inspect leaves a foreign port, with details where authorities use security suspicious containers, using on the container s contents and intelligence and computer everyone who has been involved in databases to assign a risk level to machines. If needed, they will its packaging and transport. all containers bound for the U.S. open the container for inspection.

5 U.S. Customs Union hall Unloading the ship As the ship arrives, the terminal operator contacts the union hall and arranges for longshore workers to unload the container (using a giant, a truck, rail car or temporary storage area at the terminal. takes about three days. Radiation detection As a final security safeguard, containers pass through large portals that detect radiation. The slightest level of radiation will trigger an alarm and appropriate security procedures. Port of Long Beach Security Checks U.S. Customs officials conduct further analysis and determine which containers warrant further inspection before containers are allowed to leave the Port..S. ms ill s Vessel docked Near the harbor, the ship will be boarded by a port pilot, a specialist with expert knowledge of harbor waters. The pilot works with tugboat operators and the ship s crew to guide the ship to the dock. Coast Guard watch Upon arrival While a ship is at sea the Coast Guard reviews manifest information on crew and cargo; the Coast Guard can board any ship at sea for any reason. Once the ship has arrived at U.S. shores, U.S. Customs conducts further analysis and physical container inspections. Before any crew members can leave a ship, they must be cleared by U.S. immigration authorities. Multiple agencies, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Coast Guard, federal and state Homeland Security offices, Long Beach Police and the Port Harbor Patrol work together to secure all cargo as well as port facilities. page 5

6 Air Quality Testing Goes Online Sophisticated air monitoring stations, being installed at the Port, will provide a more complete picture of air quality. R available online, on the Port of Long Beach website, as part of the Port s comprehensive efforts Two air monitoring stations were installed at the Port in August; one at the northernmost section of the Port on Canal Avenue, near Anaheim Street, and another at the southernmost area at the Navy Mole. The project will compliment local monitoring by the Port of Los Angeles, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board, providing the public with a full methods are compatible with those used by state regulatory agencies. The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles agreed to coordinate their monitoring systems earlier this year. page 6 Air Monitoring Station The projects were later incorporated into the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan. Air Monitoring Station This system will provide us with a more complete in and around the ports, said Harbor Commission President James C. Hankla. At the same time it will give us the data to better manage efforts as we move forward with the Clean Air Action Plan. will be available on the Port s web site, beginning in October. The web site will offer information on six different types of air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, along with weather information at the two stations. Historical past dates and times.

7 Beyond the waterfront The Port s Community Partnerships SeaFest 2006 The 2006 Long Beach Sea Festival (SeaFest), with events attended sponsor of the SeaFest events, which included sand castle contests (below), Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts (Port booth, lower left), right and lower right). page 7

8 Tune in: Pulse of the Port TV Show Award-winning program shows bustling seaport life If you haven t seen the Port of Long Beach s monthly cable television show, Pulse of the Port, you re missing a fascinating, awardwinning program about life at one of the busiest seaports in the world. Tune in to Long Beach Television Channel of the Port s regularly scheduled broadcasts, or catch the program anytime on the Port s web site. This month s episode of Pulse of the Port includes the landmark clean air initiative, the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, a preview of the Port s upcoming Green Port Open House October 7 and more. Past episodes, archived on the Port s web site, have taken viewers aboard a giant cargo container ship, shown the Port from the birds-eye view of a gantry crane operator, explained how the Port s environmental programs are working to improve air quality and much more. The news magazinestyle program has won awards from the American Association of Port Authorities and the California Association of Public The program debuted in September broadcast locally, Pulse of the Port is featured on stations throughout California, reaching an audience of more than 6 million viewers. Don t miss the latest episode. Pulse of the Port airs at 7:30 and 11 p.m.; Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.; Fridays at 7 p.m. and (in Spanish) at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at noon. We want to hear from you! Please give us your feedback in a short readership survey at Harbor Plaza. PO Box 570. Long Beach CA Board of Harbor Commissioners James C. Hankla President Mario Cordero Vice President Doris Topsy-Elvord Commissioner John W. Hancock Commissioner Dr. Mike Walter Commissioner Richard D. Steinke Executive Director (562) Visit our web site at PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO 5069 Printed on recycled paper.