Port Environmental Task Force
Minutes of meeting on April 17, 2006

Attending: Alison Tracy, Laureen Boles, John Hadalski, Perry Pandya, Joe Minott, Sean Jacobs, Rick Roger

Introductions

Updates

Brownfields funding- It was decided in meetings with EPA that the Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) funds available through the CARE grant would not be use on a site near Tioga. Alternative sites mentioned are located on Wheatsheef Lane and Ashland Street. Ideally, the CARE site will be picked by members of the community nearest Packer Avenue Terminal. The Delaware River Port Authority was cited as an agency which may have some sites in mind.

Perry reported that EPA has started work on a new project in the Bridesburg area of Philadelphia. This involves air toxics and outreach to industries near the Tioga terminal. There may be some overlap with CARE.
Action items: Sean to pursue Southeast contacts for TBA site recommendations.

Subcommittees

Suggestion proposed to split air quality issues between diesel and non-diesel emissions. The group would also like to see the subcommittee focus on promoting and collecting an inventory of air and water pollutants from port operators. This will help the Task Force prioritize the end list of environmental concerns and recommendations.
Action items: Sean to complete lit search of port inventories and studies.
Sean to schedule subcommittee meetings at appropriate time.

Other ideas/New Business

Stakeholders: Unions- might be a good time to get them involved.
Coast Guard- time to re-connect
Rick Roger from O2 Diesel spoke for a few minutes. He expressed interest in sponsoring and presenting at the Mid Atlantic Clean Ports Workshop (MACPW) on May 10th.
Sean mentioned the workshop and encouraged everyone to help get the word out.
There was an interest in figuring out what government authorities port operators work closest with. Who are they interested in keeping happy?
Action items: Sean to pursue suggestions and ideas from the group

Meeting adjourned at 2pm. Next meeting TBA (most likely sometime in June)