Maritime Shipping Contributes to Harmful Air Pollution

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports in a new study that marine shipping accounts for up to half as much particulate matter pollution as cars and trucks. Coastal residents living near busy ports are affected by these impacts to local air quality.

According to the University of Colorado at Boulder sponsored study, commercial vessels emit 0.9 teragrams, or about 2.2 million pounds, of particle pollution each year. The study’s findings are being published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Lead author of the study Daniel Lack says, “Since more than 70 percent of shipping traffic takes place within 250 miles of the coastline, this is a significant health concern for coastal communities.”

Marine vessels emit sulfate particles and soot. Ship emissions are dependent on the sulfur content and quality of the fuel burned. There is international regulation of vessel emissions mandated by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, but many ships still use high-sulfur content fuels.

Researchers found that soot generation by vessels was effected by engine speed and lubricants used. It was found that particles produced from burning low sulfur fuel remain airborne for a longer periods of time and soot generated by vessels is not likely to form cloud droplets, so it also remains in the air for an extended time. Currently naturally occurring precipitation is the only way suspended particles of pollution are cleaned from the atmosphere.

Changes Proposed to Federal Mercury Consumption Guidelines

Alaskan’s have become increasingly aware of the relationship between mercury and fish consumption. Much of this awareness is the result of efforts made by activists like Dr. Jane Hightower MD, who recently had her book Diagnosis Mercury: Money, Politics, and Poison published. State public health officials continue to emphasize how important the benefits of eating wild Alaska seafood is to residents.

Mercury and other contaminants accumulate over time in fish and seafood. Fish with short life cycles like wild salmon offer almost no risk of exposure to mercury or persistent organic pollutants (POPS). Risk increases with longer-lived fish like large halibut and salmon sharks.

The State of Alaska monitors the level of contaminants found in Alaska’s fish and has established fish consumption guidelines. Reports being made by the Washington Post say that the White House and U.S. Food and Drug Administration are considering a relaxation of official federal guidelines that recommend that women and children avoid certain types of fish. Scientists with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are alarmed with this stance and Vermont's Senator Patrick Leahy has weighed in on the controversy as well.

Leahy says of the action, "The issue of mercury has become Exhibit A of the cozy way the Bush Administration has put special interests above the public's health when it comes to environmental policy. They have done the bidding of the big polluters, even effectively letting them write clean air and water rules. Once again the Bush Administration seems intent on ignoring sound science on mercury poisoning. First they tried to ignore the Clean Air Act to go easy on mercury and other harmful pollutants spewed from power plants. Congress and the courts had to step in to halt that effort. Now, in the administration's 11th hour, they are quietly trying to water down advisories for women and children about the dangers of mercury in fish, disregarding sound science on this issue. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin capable of impairing childhood development at very low levels. This backroom bouquet for special interests should be stopped in its tracks. If they slip this through, I will work with the incoming Obama Administration to restore science-based decisions on mercury."

Skagway Port Development Plan - Final Report

The Yukon Port of Skagway serves as the historic gateway to the Yukon Territory. The Yukon Government released a report in 2007 titled the Yukon Ports Access Strategy focused on development of port facilities and related transportation corridors needed to ensure continued growth in the Territory's resource development efforts. The Municipality of Skagway took the recommendations of the Yukon Government report seriously and contracted with a group of consultants to form a port development plan for the community.

The firms of CH2MHill, KPMG, and Sandwell worked for many months with a steering committee composed of port stakeholders to craft the plan. The final version of the Skagway Port Development Plan was formally presented to the public on 2 October 2008 at the Opportunities North Conference held in Whitehorse and to the Municipal Assembly in Skagway later the same day.

The project objective was to "Prepare an actionable business plan with a conceptual port arrangement drawing the Municipality may utilize to make sound port fiscal decisions, advancing the interests of the Municipality and the region."

Key Findings of the Skagway Port Development Plan

• There is great potential for new sources of inbound and outbound freight traffic for the Port of Skagway
• Skagway is best positioned to serve the needs of the Yukon Territory
• The Port of Skagway has a significant distance and access cost advantage compared to its nearest competition
• A port authority or commission needs to be created market the port, create a long term plan for development and work with potential port users

It is an exciting time for the community of Skagway in the light of the continued growth in the Yukon economy and increasing cooperation with the territorial government. Skagway enjoys a vibrant waterfront and improvements to the commercial side of the port will promote a more robust year round economy in Skagway. Copies of the final report can be downloaded from the Yukon Port of Skagway website.

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American Association of Port Authorities 2008 Annual Convention

The Port and Municipality of Anchorage is hosting this year's annual conference of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) from September 21st to the 25th. The Association membership encompasses ports from all of the Americas. Seven hundred port delegates from South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States are in attendance.

Venues for the conference include the Anchorage Hilton, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Railroad, Dena'ina Conference Center, and Sourdough Mining Company. Guest speakers include James Bradley author of the bestseller Flags of Our Father and Flyboys, and noted Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion Martin Buser. Speakers at the conference are making presentations on freight mobility, port security, port project financing, port facility capacity restraints, and the cruise industry.

Having the AAPA annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska is a unique event in the state and six years in it's planning. Staff of the Port has made an exceptional effort to make welcome visitors to our state and ensure a successful gathering.

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