The greening of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach 2006-2016 Strategic Plan has been unveiled, focusing on Environmental Stewardship as well as six other key areas.

Environmental Management and Planning will be elevated to bureau status, in recognition of the fact that environmental planning has become a central part of port operations.

Other eco-aware initiatives are being implemented. Ship operators who comply with vessel speed limits to improve air quality will be rewarded with lower dockage rates under a US$2.2m-a-year Green Flag Incentive Programme, a tariff reduction approved by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. The Board of Harbor Commissioners has also voted preliminary approval for a six-year urban reforestation scheme to improve neighbourhoods near Long Beach. The Board approved $400,000 for the first two projects which will provide trees, shrubs and other sustainable landscaping to enhance air quality and reduce noise. And the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority is reporting a success: it moved an average of 5,700 containers a day in 2005, up 20.5% over 2004, meaning more than 5,700 truck trips a day were eliminated from local roadways and freeways.