168 CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT Background E8 E9
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & SUSTAINABILITY 168 CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT Background E8 E9 E7 he Port is an environmentally sensitive area, where land was created E10 Tby ll placed in the Bay and subject to a long history of intensive commercial and industrial use. e Port ’s environmental eorts therefore focus on providing a balance of recreational activities and public access, preserving natural resources, and managing potential environmental hazards E11 to protect its workers, the public, and the environment. Since adoption of the Waterfront Plan, the Port has developed environmental policies and programs implemented by a sta of environmental professionals with varying E12 backgrounds in environmental science, industrial hygiene, and regulatory analysis. e environmental sta work within the Port’s Engineering, Main- tenance, Real Estate, Maritime, and Planning and Development divisions. E13 e Port integrates its environmental management function into all Port operations, from facilities maintenance to leasing and redevelopment, to improved shoreline habitat, appearance, and public access as well as remedi- ating environmental contamination and protecting water quality. E14 E15 Portwide E1 E4 E16 E2 E5 E3 E6 CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT 169 PORTWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS E1 - Environmental Risk Management Policy (2007) In 2007, the Port Commission adopted an environmental risk management warranted. ese deposits are used to reimburse Port expenses incurred in the policy and nancial assurance requirements for Port tenants with real property event of regulatory violation, enforcement action, or other costs incurred by the agreements. is policy ensures that nancial resources are available to address Port as a result of a tenant’s failure to meet any of its environmental obligations. potential environmental risks related to Port tenants’ operations. Pursuant to In addition to ensuring that the Port has resources to respond to an environ- the policy, every new lease and property agreement is reviewed to determine mental incident, both Port and tenant benet from review and consideration of applicability of the Port nancial assurance requirements, which may include an potential environmental risks and in some cases development of risk reduction environmental oversight deposit and an environmental performance deposit as measures. E2 - Climate Action Plan (2009) e Port Climate Action Plan was rst produced in 2009 for the FY 2007/08. consumption measurements into GHG emissions. is calculation examines all Each year Port sta analyzes the activities that generate greenhouse gas Port operations and consumption for which the Port is the account holder, e.g. emissions in addition to other measures of ‘sustainability’. is annual project full service buildings and is also complemented by the Port’s support for sustain- reects the eorts of the Port as a whole. e analysis includes determination able alternative transportation that further reduce vehicle emissions. of consumption of electricity, natural gas, vehicle fuels and converting these E3 - Stormwater Design Guidelines (2009) In 2009 the Port and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission jointly pollutants in stormwater runo by emphasizing low impact design. e Design published the “San Francisco Stormwater Design Guidelines” in response to a Guidelines oer practical, environmentally benecial, and aesthetic design Clean Water Act permit requirement. Developed jointly over a 2-year process strategies to meet regulatory requirements and address the unique design with extensive public participation, the Design Guidelines apply to areas of San challenges posed by the Port’s piers and over-water structures. Redevelopment Francisco served by separate storm sewers that discharge directly to local lakes of Port facilities, ranging in size from the Exploratorium at Pier 15 to the Joint or San Francisco Bay. e Design Guidelines describe methods of designing Operations Service building at Hyde Street Harbor has implemented the Storm- new and redevelopment projects to reduce both the volume and potential water Design Guidelines to beautiful and educational eect. 170 Page revised 4/14/15 CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT E4 - Under-pier Utilities Repair Program (initiated 2010) e Port maintains a sizable expanse of under pier utility infrastructure to serve the relocation of utilities above pier decks when feasible. Aer completing 80 marginal wharves and 39 piers, many of which run almost 1,000 feet over a condition assessment of these utility systems, the Port initiated the annual water. Under-pier infrastructure encompasses several miles of water, waste- under-pier inspection program in 2013. Each year Port plumbers conduct water, re service, electrical, and communications lines. Under-pier utilities inspections and repairs of wet utilities (water / wastewater) under every pier. must endure a harsh marine environment, including the corrosive eects of e Port also works with tenants with master leases to ensure their compliance bay water, and the damage inicted by tidal debris. Damage and deterioration with utility maintenance responsibility obligations included in their leases. of under-pier utilities can result in the direct discharge of sewage and water into the Bay. e Port has developed a comprehensive strategy to address this infrastructure which involves regular inspections, timely maintenance, and E5 - Port of San Francisco Cruise Ship Environmental Award (2011) From 2005-2011, the Port sponsored the Cruise Ship Environmental Award protection of the air and water quality of the San Francisco Bay Area. e program to promote and recognize cruise ships for reducing air emissions awards program ran from 2005-2011, until new State standards for low-sulfur and water pollution while operating in San Francisco Bay. Awards were based fuel requirements went into eect. Over the course of this program, 33 dierent on a scoring system that evaluated environmental performance in the three cruise ships operated by all the Port’s main cruise lines were awarded. categories: Air Emission Reduction, Wastewater Treatment, and Recycling and Disposal Programs for Solid Waste. Cruise ships that exceeded environmental regulations and industry standards were recognized for achieving greater E6 - Zero Waste Policy (2012) e Port Commission adopted a Zero Waste Event Policy that prohibits the sale and distribution of single-use plastic bottles, bags, foodware and the intentional release of balloons for large events (5,000+). e policy requires the use of compostable food ware at such events. is policy informed a new ordinance recently passed that bans the sale and distribution of plastic bottles on City property. CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT 171 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS E7 - Wharf J-10 Demolition In 2003, the Chief Harbor Engineer declared a public safety emergency and of a petroleum storage and distribution terminal at the site that had contaminat- condemned this historic wooden pier and shed located along the water, ed underlying soil and groundwater. Aer the demolition, ExxonMobil, under between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets in Fisherman’s Wharf. e dangerous Port and Regional Water Quality Control Board oversight, completed extensive conditions of Wharf J-10 required two Port shing industry tenants to vacate remediation of the shoreline and adjacent upland in 2011. ExxonMobil the facility. e Port sought a CEQA emergency exemption to enable immediate continued monitoring contamination at the site through 2013 to ensure that demolition, which was appealed. e Board of Supervisors required an Envi- remediation had been eective. ronmental Impact Report which was completed in 2006. e Port carried out the demolition in 2007, removing 24,000 square feet of bay ll. e demolition COMPLETED: 2007 was conducted under the review of the Regional Water Quality Control Board to prevent potential pollutant discharge to the Bay. In addition, the project site was COST: $1.2 million subject to an existing clean-up order to ExxonMobil, the former owner/operator Size: 21,000 square feet E8 - Hyde Street Harbor Fuel Dock and Water Quality Improvements In 2001, with funding from the California Department of Boating and Waterways and the San Francisco Department of Environment, the Port added water quality improvements to the Hyde Street Harbor Fuel dock. New double-walled tanks and piping, and a stainless steel “drip pan” beneath the entire fuel dock deck were installed to prevent leaks and recover waste oil. e Port installed bilge-water and sewage pump-out stations to allow appropriate disposal of these wastes. e Port installed a used oil recycling station at the fuel dock and provides free oil-absorbent pads to boaters for use in cleaning up oil as well as collection of used pads. Subsequent structural improvements included installation of seismic expansion joint ttings on all of the waste and fuel piping to ensure resilience of these water quality protections during an earthquake. COMPLETED: 2001 COST: $371,100 172 CHAPTER 4 | E | ENVIRONMENT E9 - Pier 45 Drainage Improvement Project e Pier 45 Drainage Project in Fisherman’s Wharf successfully addressed poor water quality that contributed to high bacterial loadings at the adjacent Aquatic Park public beach. e industrial sh processing facility at Pier 45 lacked sucient infrastructure to contain industrial wastewater discharges to the Bay. A proposal was developed to install infrastructure upgrades that would direct these discharges to the sanitary sewer system.