For Immediate Release: Contact: Carolyn Casey,
Port of Bellingham
360-676-2500
October 18, 2005
Port Wins National Environmental Award
Award Given Next Week at Florida Conference
[Bellingham, Wash.] Next week the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will present the Port of Bellingham with the organization’s national award for Environmental Mitigation. The Port won this competitive award for the 2003-2004 project that transformed the former Weldcraft site into the new Seaview North Boatyard. Each year the AAPA, the organization of all deep water ports in the Western Hemisphere, chooses one environmental mitigation project for this honor.
This innovative project included dredging of in-water contamination caused by historical marine uses, removal of old creosote structures, creation of a shallow two-acre habitat bench just outside the Squalicum Harbor breakwater and enhancements to the pier to allow for Seaview’s boat lift installation. AAPA was particularly impressed with the strategic partnerships that were crafted by the Port to make the project successful. Two of the most important partners were the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Ecology.
“The Port of Bellingham takes its environmental stewardship role seriously and we are pleased to receive this national recognition,” said Port Commissioner Scott Walker. “This is an example of a project that combines environmental cleanup and habitat creation with job creation, which is what we hope to do throughout the waterfront.”
About two years ago, the Port of Bellingham was chosen as one of three environmental leadership ports nationwide, and the only West Coast port, to be designated a Portsfield Port by the federal government. Portfields is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA)-led federal interagency effort that focuses on the redevelopment of brownfields in port and harbor areas, with emphasis on development of environmentally sound port facilities.
“This is an example of the type of work we envision doing on the former Georgia Pacific site,” said Commissioner Jim Jorgensen. “Getting this recognition underscores the importance of blending environmental cleanups with community enhancements.”
The approximately $4 million project included bulkhead improvements, habitat restoration, environmental cleanup and property redevelopment. The Department of Ecology was a major funding partner for this project. The US Army Corps of Engineers contributed through providing clean dredge material to help build a 2-acre habitat area as part of the project.
The clean-up and redevelopment of the former Weldcraft site helped revitalize the community’s waterfront by transforming an inactive and dilapidated boatyard into a modern facility offering valuable services to the Port’s 1,400 Squalicum Marina moorage customers.
Below is the full list of AAPA 2005 environmental awards:
Since 1963, AAPA's Harbors, Navigation and Environment Committee has administered the Environmental Improvement Awards to highlight activities at ports which benefit the environment. The Committee considers four project award categories: Environmental Enhancement, Mitigation, Community/Public Involvement and Comprehensive Environmental Management. This year's winners are:
Comprehensive Environmental Management
Port of Portland (Ore.)
Checking and Corrective Action Program
Community/Public Involvement
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Cargo Handling Equipment Inventory Update
Environmental Enhancement
Port of Seattle
Shilsole Bay Marina Clean and 'Green' Best Management Practices
Mitigation Award
Port of Bellingham
Weldcraft Boatyard Cleanup and Redevelopment
