Air Quality
The Port of Virginia ranks 9th among all U.S. ports handling over 15,900,000 tons of cargo in 2005. In recent years, regulatory officials have increased their focus on air emissions generated from U.S. port operations. Diesel exhaust generated from cargo handling equipment is responsible for approximately 25% of emissions from port facilities. In 1999, the Port of Virginia voluntarily implemented emissions reduction program through a series of revisions to its equipment purchasing policies. The Port specifies to its suppliers that all new cargo handling equipment contain the lowest emission engine available on the market. From 1999 to 2005, air emissions from cargo handling activities at the Port of Virginia decreased by 30% despite a 55% increase in cargo volume. For 2005-2015, emissions are expected to decline by an additional 38% with a 49% projected increase in cargo volume.
In July 2007, Virginia International Terminals voluntarily began using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel port-wide and three years ahead of Federal mandate. This has resulted in a 30% reduction in particulate matter emissions and a 99% reduction in sulfur-oxide emissions. In October 2007, the Port launched the Green Operator program in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encouraging the voluntary purchase of new or retrofitted low emission trucks by local drayage truckers. It is the first voluntary diesel retrofit program at a U.S. port.
In July 2008, the Port received a $750,000 grant from the EPA for the purchase of a 2,000 horsepower hybrid locomotive and two 2,000 horse power ultra-low emission gen-set locomotives. These locomotives are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% and reduce fuel consumption by 30%. The hybrid locomotive has in service at Norfolk International Terminals since October 2008.
Water Quality
Through a series structural controls and terminal master planning, the pollutant removal from storm water discharges at the Virginia Port Authority’s three marine terminals exceeds state requirements by 50%. Where feasible, treatment devices, structures, or ponds are designed to exceed pollutant removal requirements for a specific drainage areas on the marine terminals, this compensates for areas on the marine terminals that are not slated for redevelopment or areas where installation of storm water treatment controls are not practical and storm water runoff is not treated.
The key element of the Water Quality Master Plan is an innovative under-wharf stormwater detention basin located at Norfolk International Terminals. Combined with several manufacture treatment devices, the under-wharf detention design eliminates the need for a conventional treatment pond while maximizing the land area available for cargo operations. 12 acres of valuable cargo storage area is saved, providing space for 42,000 TEU’s annually.
The under-wharf system creates a detention area to hold the required stormwater volume through the installation of a steel sheet pile wall in front of the proposed wharf cutoff wall (Figure 1).
Figure 1 – Under-Wharf Detention Basin Alternative – Section View
Stormwater runoff flows into this basin and be held there for the required period to allow for settlement. Sediment, debris and other pollutants fall to the bottom of the impoundment structure. Once the water quality treatment volume of the system is exceeded, additional flood waters flow out the top through a series of weirs located above the storage volume elevation. Hatches and manholes allow access to the basin for maintenance and cleaning.
The under-wharf detention basin system takes advantage of unused, available space under the wharf (see Figure 2). In addition, the system can be installed while the wharf itself was being built. Another advantage of the system is that the volume of sediment storage created between the bulkhead and the cutoff wall can accommodate sediment volumes anticipated for the life of the structure, thereby eliminating any need for the removal of accumulated sediment.
The under wharf detention and manufactured systems saves approximately 12-acres of valuable cargo handling space
Figure 11 – New Drainage Areas at NIT South
In 2003, 1.6 acres of non-tidal wetlands were created within a storm water pond at Norfolk International terminals. This project provided valuable wildlife habitat without sacrificing valuable cargo storage area.
In 2002, 1.5 acres of oyster reef was constructed in the Elizabeth River adjacent to Portsmouth Marine Terminal. To date, the reef if one of the more populated man-made reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.
In 2002, a 2.0-acre forested riparian buffer was planted along the shoreline of the Elizabeth River between Norfolk International Terminals and residential community. The forested area provides a visual and sound screen between terminal operations and waterfront residents, as well as 2 acres of native habitat/open space for various species of wildlife. The buffer also serves to reduce impacts to water quality from shoreline erosion. Over 700 trees were planted.