DATE: September 13, 2022
SUBJECT:
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INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON THE GREEN PORT 2021/2022 YEAR IN REVIEW, GREEN PORT MONTH, AND THE MICHELLE WHITE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In 2008, the Board authorized a proclamation to annually recognize September as Green Port Month. The purpose of Green Port Month is to build awareness and celebrate the District’s environmental initiatives and encourage employees to manage resources in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner. The 2021/2022 Green Port “Year In Review” includes a summary of the District’s accomplishments to improve the environmental quality of the San Diego Bay and its Tidelands.
Furthermore, seven awardees consisting of District staff, a tenant, and regional partners will be recognized with the annual Michelle White Environmental Awards. A draft presentation can be found in Attachment A.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive a presentation of the Green Port Program 2021/2022 “Year In Review”, Green Port Month, and the Michelle White Environmental Awards.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
This Board action has no fiscal impact to the District.
Compass Strategic Goals:
This agenda item supports the following Strategic Goal(s).
• A Port that the public understands and trusts.
• A Port with a healthy and sustainable bay and its environment.
• A Port with a comprehensive vision for Port land and water uses integrated to regional plans.
• A financially sustainable Port that drives job creation and regional economic vitality.
DISCUSSION:
The District’s Green Port Policy, BPC Policy No. 736, sets the framework for driving environmental, economic, and social sustainability for the organization (Attachment B). First issued in 2008 and then updated in 2017, the Board authorized proclamations to annually recognize September as Green Port Month (Attachment C). September 2022 marks the fifteenth consecutive year the District has celebrated Green Port Month. The purpose of Green Port Month continues to build awareness about the District’s environmental initiatives and encourage employees to manage resources in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner.
Since the inception of Green Port Month in 2008, the District has promoted a diverse range of initiatives that support the mission of protecting and improving the environmental conditions of San Diego Bay and the tidelands. Each year, a summary of signature achievements are presented in the annual Green Port “Year In Review.” The 2021/2022 Green Port “Year In Review” recognizes a broad spectrum of environmental management accomplishments including greenhouse gas emission reductions from internal District operations, adoption and implementation of the Maritime Clean Air Strategy, advancement of nine Blue Economy Incubator projects, sustained education and outreach with thousands of school-aged students, and much more (Attachment D).
Green Port Month 2022
Throughout the month of September, District employees are encouraged to become ambassadors of the District’s Green Port programs and participate in events that incorporate sustainability at work and in their homes. With Green Port Month as the foundation, additional events are planned for early October. Event highlights for 2022 include:
• Michelle White Environmental Awards at the September Board Meeting
• Announcement of the College Corps Fellows Program
• Coastal Clean Up Day on September 17, 2022
• Lunch & Learn Events
• Social media coverage of District air quality improvement programs
• Hosting an educational booth on EV Day October 1, 2022
• Support for California Clean Air Day on October 5, 2022
Michelle White Environmental Awards
Each year during Green Port Month a selection of District staff, tenants, and regional partners are recognized with a Michelle White Environmental Award for their environmental accomplishments. Michelle White was a beloved colleague at the District who established the District’s sustainability programs and Green Port Month. To memorialize her commitment to environmental stewardship, the Michelle White Environmental Awards were created in 2016. The following staff, tenants, and regional partners will receive a 2022 Michelle White Environmental Award for their dedication to improve the environmental quality of San Diego Bay and its Tidelands:
Port Staff:
• Adam Meyer-Real Estate
• John Carter-Office of the General Counsel
• Renee Yarmy-Maritime
Port Tenant
• Larry Schmitz-Owner, Terminalift, LLC
External Partners
• Darbi Barry: Director of Climate and Environmental Programs at the University of San Diego, Non-Profit Institute
• Brian Collins-Refuge Manager, US Fish & Wildlife Service Refuges
• David Gibson-Executive Officer, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
General Counsel’s Comments:
The Office of General Counsel has reviewed this agenda sheet and attachments, as presented to it, and approves the same as to form and legality.
Environmental Review:
This presentation to the Board does not constitute a “project” under the definition set forth in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and is therefore not subject to CEQA. No further action under CEQA is required.
This presentation to the Board does not allow for “development,” as defined in Section 30106 of the California Coastal Act, or “new development,” pursuant to Section 1.a. of the District’s Coastal Development Permit Regulations. Therefore, issuance of a Coastal Development Permit or exclusion is not required.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program:
This agenda sheet has no direct impact on District workforce or contract reporting at this time.
PREPARED BY:
Philip Gibbons
Program Director, Planning
Attachment(s):
Attachment A: Draft Presentation
Attachment B: BPC Policy No. 736 Green Port Policy
Attachment C: 2017 Proclamation of September as Green Port Month
Attachment D: Green Port 2021/2022 “Year In Review”