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The Port of Baltimore
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May/June 2014
States Secures
$750,000 Grant
for Dray Truck Program
Community Sees
How Wildlife
Now Inhabits
Dredging Site
T
o familiarize area neighborhoods
with some of the benefits of
dredging operations taking place
at the Port of Baltimore, a Community
Open House was held in late April at the
Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment
Facility (DMCF).
The event provided an opportunity
for visitors to learn about the dredging
program and see how the site is operated.
In addition, they were introduced to a
feasibility study currently underway that
addresses possibly expanding the Cox
Creek containment site to an upland
property also owned by the Maryland
Port Administration (MPA).
The day started with an early-morning
bird walk for about 30 participants; an
additional 52 guests participated in the
open house. Visitors were taken on a
riding tour along the dike of the site and
given a demonstration of how the site is
monitored; some participants were able
to witness a live inflow event of dredged
material being pumped into the site.
Partners who supported the open
house included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Living Classrooms Foundation,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Restore
Rock Creek watershed organization,
Anne Arundel County Department of
Public Works and Phillips Wharf’s Fish
Mobile.
GREENPORT
T
he Maryland Port Administration (MPA) received a
$750,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to keep the Port of Baltimore Dray Truck
Replacement Program rolling along.
The funds will go toward replacing 22 pre-1997 model-
year dray trucks in service at the Port of Baltimore with
models powered by 2010 or newer certified engines. The
grant was part of $4.2 million in federal dollars earmarked
for clean diesel projects at six U.S. ports.
“Ports are the main gateway for U.S. trade and
are critical to our country’s economic growth, yet the
communities surrounding ports face serious environmental
challenges,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “We
demonstrate that, through collaboration and innovation,
we can achieve the goals of economic growth and
environmental stewardship.”
Dray trucks are used to haul freight from the Port to
nearby distribution centers. Last year, the MPA encouraged
companies and owner/operators at the Port to apply for
incentives to purchase newer, cleaner-running trucks
under a program underwritten by federal and state
dollars, including the MPA and Maryland Department of
Transportation (MDOT).
Eighty-two dray trucks have already been replaced at
the Port, reducing several air pollutants. Annual emission
reductions include 90 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx); four
tons of PM2.5; 3.5 tons of hydrocarbons (HC); and 24 tons
of carbon monoxide (CO). Over the estimated lifetime of the
trucks replaced, this means more than 1,000 tons of NOx,
47 tons of PM2.5, 44 tons of HC and 306 tons of CO.
“Replacing older trucks that often emit higher levels
of emissions with newer vehicles will help employees
working at the Port of Baltimore and residents in nearby
local communities breathe a little easier,” said Maryland
Gov. Martin O’Malley. “This replacement program is part of
our comprehensive plan to reduce Maryland’s greenhouse
gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. Through this award,
we are very pleased the EPA recognizes the work we are
doing here in Maryland to improve air quality and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL MCALLEN
