Port of Oakland - Newsroom

Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners Approves $150,000 in Matching Funds For Environmental Research Grant
Grant will provide funding for expanded research in ballast water treatment aboard commercial vessels

Oakland -- Tuesday, December 19, 2000, The Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved a $150,000 grant to the California State Lands Commission (CSLC). These monies match those provided by a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) grant.

The Port of Oakland funds will be used to add an additional vessel to the West Coast Demonstration Project. This project is an endeavor to help prevent the introduction of non-indigenous ballast water borne species to West Coast waterways. Additionally, this funding will aid in the analysis and subsequent development of standards for ballast water treatment technology.

"The Port of Oakland is glad to offer funding for such important and innovative environmental research," said David Kramer, President of the Board of Port Commissioners. Kramer added," We are pleased to extend financial support for a project that holds promise for protecting the ecological balance of our bay waters."

The introduction of invasive species through the discharge of ballast water is an international ecological and economic problem. Current techniques to prevent new introductions from ballast water discharges are considered inadequate. New methods are needed to solve the problem.

"This research will give us the information needed to educate vessel owners on ballast water treatment options," said Jody Zaitlin, associate port environmental planner for the Port of Oakland. Zaitin stated, "It may be used to guide regulators on future legislation or regulations aimed at protecting our coastal and port ecosystems."

In August 2000, a grant from the USFWS provided the CSLC funds for the analysis of a vessel by a marine engineering company to compare the feasibility and cost of installing an on-board ballast water treatment technology, versus retrofitting the vessel for ballast water discharge to a mobile treatment facility. These funds will aid the vessel owner in the retrofit of the on-board treatment equipment. This project is being done in conjunction with a similar Washington State project.

By matching the funds from the USFWS, the Port of Oakland helps to insure the success of the West Coast Demonstration Project enabling it to include an additional vessel for retrofit and evaluation.

"These funds go a long way in helping improve the future environmental health of our coastal waterways," said Maurya Falkner, environmental specialist for the Marine Facilities Division of the California State Lands Commission. Falkner added, "California is helping lead the way on this issue. The Port of Oakland has taken a significant and greatly appreciated step and is to be congratulated. The Port of Oakland is now an important part of this research to help identify alternative treatment technologies that will reduce and/or prevent new introductions from ballast water discharges."


			The Port & You \| Maritime \| Airport \| Real Estate \| Newsroom Job Center \| Doing Business \| Community \| Environment \| Contact Us Copyright ©2000-2008 \| Terms Port of Oakland. All rights reserved. Credits.